Service charge is indeed a tax

M. Gorum of Libertyville, accused James Wagner of Barrington of being “factually incorrect” about President Obama’s free cellphones. Then this writer goes on to claim that “the program is not funded by the government or taxpayer money.” Then the writer states “SafeLink is run by a subsidiary of America Movil ... but it is not paid for directly by the company. It is funded through the Universal Service Fund.”

My Verizon Wireless bill contains a $1.46 universal service charge on a $44.99 bill (billed under government fees and surcharges). That’s a 3 percent tax. Your bill, M. Gorum, the one you clearly don’t look at or understand, also contains this USF tax. While you are correct that Obama didn’t put the USF into play, it’s a tax. So the next time you question someone else’s “facts” get yours in line, too.

Christopher Forest

Lake Zurich