Michigan Votes Forum

 And who will reimburse the cell phone companies for their loss?  A better idea would be to have the millitary pay off the contract for the men and women who are willing to risk their lives for us, then we can all pay the cost.

The cell phone conpanies will have no "loss". The contract is paid monthly for services used. A cell phone contract only binds the user to the cell phone company for a period of time. If the user no longer uses, no loss for the company.

Shouldn't we expect a little patriotic sacrifice from a cell phone company?

 I think the cell phone companies do will have a loss.  Typically, contracts come with phones.  The price of the phone is discounted with a subsidy from the long term contract.  That is why a phone that costs $400 on the Internet is only $120 when sign a contract.  Furthermore, cell phone companies incur up front expenses that are covered over the term of the contract.  As I said before, why should the cell phone companies be required to cover additional costs of our military?  I'm all for soldiers and I'm no fan of cell phone companies.  I just think we pay taxes to cover the cost of our military and those taxes should be used for that purpose.

"In another positive earnings report for the wireless industry, Verizon Communications on Monday said its first-quarter profit rose 5.3 percent. Verizon's wireless sales were up 29.6 percent, including gains from the Alltel acquisition. Adjusted for the acquisition, Verizon's sales rose nine percent. "NewsFactor Network, April 27, 2009.

Since our soldiers are also defending Verizon's ability to make money, wouldn't it be patriotic for Verizon to let them out of a contract, irregardless of the extravagrant markup on cell phones purchased outside a wireless contract?

Rep. Amash, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

HB 5102 fails to address the general problem that military personnel face with respect to their contractual obligations when those individuals are called to active duty. To avoid inconsistent, patchwork legislation, this issue needs to be addressed comprehensively rather than one contract type at a time.”