# How LONG Will We Be PAYING Al Gore's Universal Connectivity Tax? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 24, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539 "2003-09-24T13:51:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/1 "2003-09-24T13:51:27Z")
Every time I pay my phone bill, I am reminded of that scumbag Al Gore…he is responsible for that nifty “connectivity tax”-ya know, the money goes to poor school districts so the kids can get online pornography or whatever. Seriously, is there any “sunset” clause in the bill that created this tax? Or will it be like all other “directed” taxes-it will go on forever (we are stillpaying the LBJ-era phone tax to finance the Vietnam War! How do I get my rep/senators to file a bill repealing this idiotic tax? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/2 "2003-09-24T13:52:27Z")
[www.house.gov](http://www.house.gov) [www.senate.gov](http://www.senate.gov) Find 'em…write to 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/3 "2003-09-24T14:30:56Z")
Wow. I had no idea that Al Gore at one time wielded the power to unilaterally and single-handedly impose taxation upon the land. Here I thought that taxation required a majority vote in its favor by both houses of Congress and the signature of the President of the United States (or 2/3 vote in each house to override a presidential veto). Can you provide a cite to back up your at-this-time unfounded assertion that Al Gore is “responsible” for this tax? ---
**Author:** ![andymurph64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@andymurph64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andymurph64)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/4 "2003-09-24T15:56:30Z")
Otto, I understand what you are saying but I’ve always heard of it as the ‘Al Gore’ tax from many different sources. I never bothered to look up why but I assume he was the one who tried hard to push it through…it’s ‘champion’. You probably will hate the expression ‘Clinton toilet’ also 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/5 "2003-09-24T16:39:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ralph124c \* > **we are stillpaying the LBJ-era phone tax to finance the Vietnam War!** Hey, it was an expensive war. At least LBJ found a way to pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/6 "2003-09-24T16:42:02Z")
The answer to the question: Probably about 1/100th as long as we’ll be paying for Bush’s moronic Iraq war and massive tax cut for the rich. Ask the question again when the tax costs U.S. taxpayers $87 billion while costing the fisc multiple trillions at the same time. Until then, quit bellyaching. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/7 "2003-09-24T17:14:00Z")
Go to the senate website and look up the _Telecommunications act of 1996_ Section 254, Universal Service (104th Congress) then look up the _E-Rate Termination Act_ (108th Congress) That should answer the question I would have linked, but the URLs looked very funky. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/8 "2003-09-24T17:23:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cliffy \* > \*\*The answer to the question: > > Probably about 1/100th as long as we’ll be paying for Bush’s moronic Iraq war and massive tax cut for the rich. Ask the question again when the tax costs U.S. taxpayers $87 billion while costing the fisc multiple trillions at the same time. Until then, quit bellyaching. > > –Cliffy \*\* Incorrect, which is not suprising for a wild-eyed rant. The Universal Connectivy Charge is what the telco providers charge based on what the FCC demands of them, (since it seems Internet access is now yet another entitlement.) There is no sunset provision to this, since it is a ‘stealth tax’. The FCC says, “Telcos must provide 1.2 billion (or however much) smackaroos worth of discounted service to the poor and oppressed masses. " The telcos say, 'Sure. Rest of America, here is the bill”. There was even a move afoot by Al ‘Illegal Fundraiser’ Gore and former FCC management, to prevent the UCT from appearing as an item on your phone bill. Wouldn’t want you to think that the then Administration raised taxes. Nope, wouldn’t do at all. You will pay this charge until A) The FCC is directed to stop forcing subsidized service, B) Telcos decide to just pay out of their own pockets, or C) You are no longer have telco service. The 87 billion, on the other hand, is a finite number, so will be payed off in a finite period of time. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/9 "2003-09-24T17:30:32Z")
LBJ had a budget surplus, not a deficit; he helped pay _down_ the national debt, not increase it. (The interest on the debt is what you may be referring to as a “tax.”) Trinopus ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/10 "2003-09-24T17:32:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > \*\*Go to the senate website and look up the _Telecommunications act of 1996_ Section 254, Universal Service (104th Congress) then look up the _E-Rate Termination Act_ (108th Congress) That should answer the question > > I would have linked, but the URLs looked very funky. \*\* From my understanding, HR 692 died in committee. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-we-be-paying-al-gores-universal-connectivity-tax/203539/11 "2003-09-24T19:16:12Z")
Asked: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*\*ralph124c \*\* > > How do I get my rep/senators to file a bill repealing this idiotic tax? Answered: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*\*Jonathan Chance \*\* > > [www.house.gov](http://www.house.gov) > > [www.senate.gov](http://www.senate.gov) > > Find 'em…write to 'em. Closed. The rest of the thread is turning into a debate. **DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator