So Here's Really Why Your Hillbilly GOP Cousins Opposed the Net Neutrality Deal

They figured this was coming.  Any time the federal government gets control of anything, they give away stuff to poor people - and worse yet in the GOP eyes, poor black people.

The Federal Communications Commission plans to soon begin working on a proposal to subsidize Internet service for low-income consumers by expanding its Lifeline program, which is mocked by conservatives as the "Obamaphone" program.

[...]

All three Democrats on the five-member commission have publicly said they want to use federal money to help ensure that all Americans can afford to get online. Lifeline—which despite the Obamaphone nickname was created during the Reagan administration—currently only subsidizes phone service.

[...]

The money for Lifeline comes from government fees on consumers' monthly phone bills.

[...]

Lifeline subsidizes about $10 of phone service per month for qualifying consumers.

  National Journal

And, dammit, they should be thankful. But no, the undeserving poor always want more.

Under Clyburn's plan, that amount wouldn't necessarily increase, but consumers could choose to have it cover the data on their smartphone or their home broadband connection.

Smartphones?! They can afford smartphones?! Then they don’t need government handouts, do they?

Yes, you’re right. I have lived amongst the hillbilly GOP too long. I can talk their talk.

Ten whole dollars. Enough to make a Republican apoplectic, but not enough to make unaffordable broadband affordable.