Here are my cell phone choices

[mdmc]

We need new cell phones. We can get -
AT&T = two blackberry's
unlimited text and talk

or we can get
Sprint = two blackberry's
unlimited internet tex and talk, plus $50.00 cheaper.

Now, AT&T is organized by CWA. Sprint is non union.

If we get the unlimited internet via AT&T, it will cost us $50.00 more.

So basically I can pay $100 extra to have UNION supported telephones.
Or I can go without unlimited internet and pay $50 extra for less service.

I'll be running for office this year and want the unions behind me.

Thoughts?

[Oregone]

1. Get something without a keyboard

You will be happier. In fact, aim for a cheap phone with spotty and incomplete coverage.

[mdmc]

5. I need it for the campaign

I need the texting for while at meetings...

[Oregone]

9. No one needs to text at meetings

No one *needs* to text, period. Five+ years ago, no one texted (maybe I did), and we were all just fine. Unplug.

[mdmc]

11. i need to instruct interns while stuck at meet and greets or public meetings

easy to do while texting... hard to do unless staffed w. someone that can step out and make calls.

[roody]

22. If the people have your full attention, you may get more votes.

[mdmc]

31. yes

i use it on the down low... when others have the spot light. basically yes or no...

[kickysnana]

2. AT & T = illegal phone tapping headquarters

I would look for a plan C.

[mdmc]

4. 1) All tele coms partnererd with DHS

2) ATT is the only pro union game in town///

[tanngrisnir3]

23. Quest didn't.

[mdmc]

32. nice catch

:toast:

[backscatter712]

3. There's always CREDO Mobile...

Mmmm, progressive cell phones!

http://www.credomobile.com/

They're the good guys - politically active, progressive cell phone providers - they've been rallying the troops for issues like ending warrantless wiretaps, protecting the environment, etc. etc.

[mdmc]

7. I'll check into it, but I don't think they are unionized via CWA

I know the whole "working assets" credit card thing is pretty much an HSBC credit card.

thanks for the link

[backscatter712]

13. I don't know if they're unionized either,

but when I looked at the causes they support at http://www.credomobile.com/mission/MissionCauses.aspx

there were a few pro-labor organizations they gave money to, like Jobs With Justice and National Employment Law Project. Very encouraging.

[mwooldri]

17. CREDO are a virtual cell phone network; they operate on Sprint's network. nt

[backscatter712]

28. Good point.

Still, you buy phones and service from CREDO, some of that money goes to progressive causes, including pro-labor causes. That's always a good thing.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. No choice at all

Even if you weren't running for office, if you believe in unions you know that paying the extra dough is worth it to help the union workers and their families.

[mdmc]

10. That is where I am right now, of course

I would like to have some choice, but we think we will go with unlimited text and talk for 50 bucks more AND no internet.

Thanks for checking in and I will pm you soon as I need your help...

[SmileyRose]

8. my sister has sprint/nextel and hates it.

my cheapo tracfone phone is generally more reliable on reception than her sprint - however, her phone is A LOT better than mine.

[HillbillyBob]

12. AT&T also has been laying off workers then rehiring them in parttime

non union capacity...

[DemoTex]

14. AT&T was a big sponsor of the CPAC convention recently ..

The same CPAC Convention where Ru$h Limbo gave his now-famous keynote address.

[Nite Owl]

15. Go for the $50 less

Sprint and donate the extra money to a union cause?

Wasn't AT&T one of the ones now not getting sued for FISA?

[Catch22Dem]

16. I carry an iPhone AND a Blackberry

I use both all day. The Blackberry is garbage compared to the iPhone. It's my second BB, and as much as I try to like this thing, it's just not a good product.

[Deja Q]

18. I switched to AT&T - got the Tilt. Lovely device. Lovely service.

While T-Mobile seems to have better reception in some areas, AT&T's coverage isn't bad, and 3G is fast... plus I like the rollover minutes too. AT&T might not, but I do... like I use them anyway, so maybe they might not not. :D

[Tesha]

19. If you insist on a physical QWERTY keyboard, get a Blackberry.

But don't get the Storm; its not-quite-physical keyboard is
only so-so and the entire unit is reputed to be a dog.

If you don't insist on a physical QWERTY keyboard, get an iPhone.
It's very versatile, a lot of fun, and its virtual (on-screen) keyboard
is top-notch; once you begin to trust it, you can type *VERY* fast
on that keyboard and it can be completely silent. Plus, 27,000+
apps can't be beat.

Tesha

[LeftyMom]

20. AT&T has DREADFUL service and rates.

I wouldn't go with them if I had any other option.

I had Sprint years ago and I liked them. They were very good about adapting to new technology quickly, compared to other companies. But I don't know how much they've changed in the meantime.

[mdmc]

21. so again, go with the good deal or go with the union....

..

[flvegan]

24. "I'll be running for office this year and want the unions behind me."

Good deal or the union? Seems obvious.

Never say nor type anything you don't want read back to you during a campaign or a trial.

Sage advice.

[LeftyMom]

26. Oh dear, I missed that.

I think anybody who discusses campaign strategy on DU (or the internet generally) really should be kept far away from any sort of power. I mean, really.

That said, I'm curious to see where on earth that poster lives that secret union investigation squads find out what cell phone service you use and hold that against you in the campaign. My late stepdad was an ILWU guy since he was a teenager, and I don't recall "don't vote for X, he has a Sprint phone/ shops at WalMart/ bought his kid a Toyota" ever being in the newsletter.

[mdmc]

29. actually, DU is going to be a big part of my campaign

I don't think there is anything wrong with what is discussed on DU. There is nothing that I would say here that I will not say on the campaign trail.

The bottom line is I have a personal choice (and in this day and age, "personal" is a different term then when your late step dad was a teen) - I can choose unionized service and product, or I can use non-union service / product (that is a better deal).

For the record , I have decided to stick with CWA.

I live in the Hudson Valley. I am pretty sure that the Hudson Valley Area Federation of Labor uses AT&T service for exactly the same reason as I have decided to use At&T.

I would suspect that any union political action committee would be interested in a candidates support of union shops.

I would prefer to court the UAW support in a Buick over a Yugo (or BMW) for instance.

When given a chance to support union labor, I think it is important to do so. I think that the working people may want to know that your support for them was in some way more important then your personal affluence.

Just an opinion. I am pretty sure that I can do w.o the internet and can pay 30 bucks more. It just sucks that I have to make that choice.

[mdmc]

27. sigh

It is obvious what I need to do...

[LeftyMom]

25. All things being equal I'd go with the union company.

But they're not equal, and AT&T is no paragon of workplace virtue. I'd with the better deal, in this case I don't think there's nearly enough difference to offset.

[mdmc]

30. I came to a different conclusion

but what you say is valid and then some.