We just switched our phone company

[Kipepeo]

Until today we had SBC for local and AT&T for long distance. We were getting screwed on all kinds of extra fees and when looking for a new company I came to this group and checked out some of the links in various threads.

According to both open secrets and the Blue site that AZDem posted, SBC gives 67% of their political contributions to republicans. I was so disgusted. Check this link for other phone companies:
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/contrib.asp?Ind=B08

We switched to MCI for both local and long distance and told them the reason we chose them is because they donated a larger percentage to Democrats. I would have gone with Working Assets, which is 100% progressive and makes donations to good causes butit didn't seem that they had a local plan.

MCI said we don't have to call our old carrier but I kind of want to let SBC know that they've lost our business because of their overwhelming support for Repukes.

Anyway, I love this group. Thanks for all of the information!

[NMDemDist2]

1. MCI's "Neighborhood" plan is a good one if you do any long distance

calling

they also have kept all their marketing in the US (they have outsourced some customer service call centers to the Phillipines and to Canada tho)

Ebbers was a crook, but he did a hostile take over of MCI with WorldCom. the MCI founders are good guys

The also are giving all the troops overseas free long distance to call home over the holidays

you could do a lot worse.....

[Kipepeo]

2. Thank you for your links AZDem

Yeah, we do a lot of long distance calling, so it will work out well financially as well as letting me sleep a teensy bit better at night. Screw SBC.

[wildflower]

3. Someone here also mentioned the company "Earthtones"

http://www.earthtones.com

Welcome to Earth Tones - The Environmental Internet and Phone Company!

On this website you will find detailed information regarding our wireless service, internet access and long distance telephone services as well as general information on Earth Tones, our history and mission, and the grassroots environmental organizations to whom we deliver 100% of our profits. You will also find links to our most recent Green Alerts and to other environmental actions you can take today to help protect our environment.

Please take time to enjoy the information this site has to offer. If you have any questions, or would like to speak with a real, live person, please don't hesitate to call us at 1-888-EARTH-TONES (888-327-8486). We look forward to hearing from you!

About Earth Tones

The only communications company to donate 100% of its profits to environmental organizations. Help us help the environment.

Earth Tones Green Alerts

View the latest Green Alerts - who is doing what and how you can help. Receive Green Alerts automatically by email.

http://www.earthtones.com

[One_of_8]

42. I signed up with Earthtones

I learned of Earthtones through DU recently, and I went to their website and changed my long distance service to them (aka Global Crossing). I just did this last week and I let them know I found them through DU.

[Dem2theMax]

4. Waaaaaa. SBC is about to offer the first and ONLY fast connection

to the InternetS in my area. I was going to look into it. I'm so sick of dial-up and the fact that I can't download and watch ANY of the stuff everyone else here at DU watches. I live in the boonies. It will be years before anyone else gets out this way.

Double WAAAAAA. lol?

[Touchdown]

5. Congrats! You just went union busting!

MCI is union paranoid, not just anti-union. Both AT&T and SBC are union companies. Does anybody ever weigh this when they fly off the handle about the single issue of campaign contributions?

BTW: MCI is also the subsidiary of SEC fradsters Worldcom,, who have yet to pay back the billions they stole. I hope your happy.
:eyes:

[NMDemDist2]

6. again, MCI was taken over hostilely by Bernie Ebbers/Worldcom

now that the WorldCom crooks are out, the old management is coming back in. I notice a lot better corporate climate at my MCI site than the World Com days....

ATT & SBC have lots of wire they own and do use union guys for that. MCI doesn't have a large wire plant...

at the time of the merger here's what CWA said about WC

The CWA, which has 650,000 members, also claimed the merged company's pursuit of corporate customers could translate into the stifling of MCI's planned $1.5 billion investment in local networks. The union fears this, in turn, will fetter the growth of an estimated 75,000 jobs within the U.S. telecommunications industry.

WorldCom, which has been predicting that the FCC will approve its bid for MCI in the first quarter of 1998, was unavailable for comment. The European Union also is evaluating the planned merger.

they may not be in white hats, but they may surprise you in the next couple years.

[Touchdown]

7. It was their original suit in 1984 that started the downsizing...

and union busting. AT&T also was forced to build and GIVE MCI's network to them. Every success they have can be attributed to Ma Bell being forced to accomodate them. MCI also has the 2nd largest LD network in the US, 7th largest in the world, most of which they never paid to build. Same goes for Sprint's. They also have a large wireless network, and are a Bush contractor fo building a network in Iraq, something they have no experience in doing.

I'm not holding my breath on the union thing. They are well known for their anti-union activities.

May "not have white hats"??? They're dirty!

[mhr]

9. So Who You Gone To Call Then? - A Telephone Is A Necessity

One has to choose the least of the evils here.

[Touchdown]

10. A union company. They're more at risk than the Dems are.

Did the original poster compare what the CWA represented employees of SBC & AT&T gave to Dems and subtracted that as an offset for the donations made from the corporate execs? I doubt it.

And as far as the lest of our evils are concerned, the luxury of voting with your pocketbook is moot when your getting starvation wages.

[NMDemDist2]

22. AT&T just left the residental market. n/t

[Kipepeo]

11. Wow, way to be a sarcastic no-help

You speak as if I had prior knowledge of the union information. I obviously didn't. I made my decision based on the political donation information in this forum.

Maybe next time instead of making someone feel like shit you could state your position and seek to inform rather than insult. You'd be surprised how excited people can be to learn stuff like this if it isn't delivered in a nasty tone. Geez louise.

[Touchdown]

12. I actually give the benefit of the doubt to everyone

...that I thought you might have thought things completely through before you made up your mind. I see that I was wrong, and that you based your knee jerk decision on only one factor involved. I'll try not to be so gulllible next time.:eyes:

[Kipepeo]

13. I thought things completely through

And I am happy with my decision. Any pause your information might have given me was overshadowed by the rudeness you delivered it with. Thanks but no thanks I guess. :shrug:

Look ma, I can do rolly eyes too! :eyes:

[Touchdown]

15. Feeble excuse. I wasn't rude and you know it.

Want facts? You didn't have them. Think things through? You obviously didn't.

2004- AT&T No soft money was given.

Totals...

Repugs -$335,000
Dems -$309,000

CWA, who has a labor contract with AT&T and none with MCI...$22,600,000 100% Dems.

Added out AT&T Execs and employees to Dems...$22,909,000 ...remember, unionized companies (which is what I've been saying all along) copmtributions are separated by what their unions contribute. You don't have an accurate reading by using only the comapny, because all you get is what only company execs give, not the rest of the employee pool.

EDIT: actually my precentage calculations were wrong. It's actually 77% both AT&T and CWA.
AT&T Final tally...68% Dems. 32% Repugs.

From your link, MCI gave 46% to Repugs, a higher percentage and less money overall to Dems.

AT&T phone technicians average... $27 an hour. MCI average tech pay...$14. If you are happy with your decision, then you deserve the rudeness which wasn't given to you in the first place. You might as well shop at Wal-Mart, since you enjoy this race to the bottom.

[Kipepeo]

16. You're still being rude actually

Do you have one of those "I don't play well with others" shirts? ;)

Thank you for your stats though. I will consider them, if you consider your tone.

-K

[Touchdown]

17. What tone?

What are you talking about? I've been responding in kind. I'm trying to protect the last dying vestiges of collective bargaining, workplace equality and liveable wages, and you just undermined that effort by switching to a union-busting company (who, if you noticed had plenty of hidden fees on their bills as well). While we're talking hyperbole, what you did is a slap in the face of every union member who brought you the weekend off! I think I have right to be pissed.

[Kipepeo]

18. If you can't understand how beinig rude

doesn't help you win people over then I don't know how to help you.

Do you go regulary insult people for not havinig the same information as you while at the same time hoping they'll consider the information you have?

[Touchdown]

19. You're confusing indignation with rudeness.

I think you made a big mistake by switching to Worldcom, and I voiced that opinion. You have yet to point out anything rude I said. I will not apologize for your thin skin. You chose to make a political statement with your choice, and if you can't understand the consequences of that choice when it relates to the big picture, then blaming me for being mouthy isn't going to make you feel any better.

You said you research thoroughly before you went with Worldcom, so how did you NOT have the same information as me?

[Kipepeo]

20. I think you are well aware of both your rudeness

and your continued attempts to argue. Thin skin is something I've never been accused of before. :) I wonder if you can say the same thing about your tone?

I've taken your information into account, and thank you for it, but it's tempered with the attitude you delivered it in. :shrug:

I'm through arguing with you in a public forum. PM me if you want any further response, though I doubt that's necessary.

cheers,

K

[Touchdown]

21. Thank you for conceding.

:D

[mdmc]

24. how sure are you that cwa is in at at&t?

Did cwa go there when cingular was bought?

[crispini]

25. Well, I just heard that Southwestern Bell

is in negotiations to buy AT&T (hahahahah, that's irony for ya) and SWB is a union shop. :shrug:

[mdmc]

26. it would be funny if you are wrong

after being a dick to the starter of this thread. I agree, we need better criteria then political contributions to support or oppose business.

[crispini]

27. Excuse me, this is the first time I've posted in this thread?

You seem to be confusing me with Touchdown.

[mdmc]

28. (from the movie swingers) So I'm the dick now? I'm the asshole?

Sorry! :hi: LOL

Really, my bad...

[crispini]

29. Ain't no thang. :) nt

[mdmc]

30. (folks can be so mean on line)

I'm much nicer in person...

[Touchdown]

38. I think you were talking about me, and since I posted

a thread about this very subject that NOBODY has bothered to touch or respond to, then it's pretty obvious that it's not my tone that mattered in here, but the wrench I threw into the poster's works, as she was looking for kudos and pats on the back for her oh' so knowledgeable choice, based SOLELY on political contributions of the upper management. It's either disagreements, or mutual masturbation here. By the responses on my other thread (none), I can really tell people don't have their hearts into making reasoned decisions in this. You just want simple answers of "To buy, or not to buy".

You really haven't seen me be a dick.

I'd really like to know just what it was that I said that set her off...but I really think it's because I didn't polish her shoes for being such a good blue buyer. I have yet to recieve that answer.

[crispini]

40. Well, since you asked:

Yeah, you WERE a dick. Your post, with the rude parts in bold.

Congrats! You just went union busting!

MCI is union paranoid, not just anti-union. Both AT&T and SBC are union companies. Does anybody ever weigh this when they fly off the handle about the single issue of campaign contributions?

BTW: MCI is also the subsidiary of SEC fradsters Worldcom,, who have yet to pay back the billions they stole. I hope your happy.

You then proceded to get all snippy with the poster through the rest of the thread:

" ...that I thought you might have thought things completely through before you made up your mind. I see that I was wrong, and that you based your knee jerk decision on only one factor involved. I'll try not to be so gulllible next time."

"Want facts? You didn't have them. Think things through? You obviously didn't."

Sample post, less rude:

You know, we probably should to take into account all factors WRT these companies. MCI is union paranoid, not just anti-union. Both AT&T and SBC are union companies. We should really weigh all aspects of a company, not just political contributions.

BTW: MCI is also the subsidiary of SEC fradsters Worldcom,, who have yet to pay back the billions they stole.

Your OP in the other thread is actually much less rude, and I would have responded to it, but you know, I already had read this thread, and I'd pretty much decided that I didn't want to.

Save it for the Republicans, please. We're all Dems in this room.

[LDS Jock]

35. from CWA site

We are a national office of Communications Workers of America representing employees who work for AT&T....
http://www.cwa-comtech.org/

[Touchdown]

37. I work for them and am a member of CWA.

Cellular is a different business than long distance networks.

[fudge stripe cookays]

41. Yes, he does actually.

He follows us from thread to thread pointing out how much we're neglecting the union facet of anyone we boycott.

Touchdown, you WERE rude. And you ARE rude in every thread in which you berate the rest of us for trying to make a difference in our own way.

Just because someone is ignorant of a certain fact does not make them stupid. And your attitude is exactly why people are not responding to your snarky posts.

You can bitch about unions all you want, but you've already done damage to your "cause." No one is listening to you because we have been insulted by your tone and your remarks. Deal with it.

Glad you like the forum, Kipe. Too bad not everyone here is as civil and welcoming.

FSC

[LDS Jock]

36. don't let the tone or delivery get to you

But the poster is right, SBC is a union company. Many people know it, apparently you didn't. So now you do. What you do with the info now is up to you. Don't let the poster be your only reason for a decision. If you want to see which companies are part of CWA, you can check here on their site http://www.cwa-union.org . I work for Cingular, which is part owned by them and also a union company. I don't believe there is any true blue national phone company. It is the other things which can give one an advantage over others. Things such as being part of a union and domestic partner benefits. I've worked for MCI too and neither of these are part of the company.

[mhr]

8. I've Had MCI Service For Several Years Now - Very Satisfied Overall

eom

[amazona]

14. maybe you don't need any long distance service

I cancelled mine when AT&T said they were going to start a monthly fee. (It used to be free unless I actually made a call, and then I would be charged by the minute.) There's no need for it. If you have a cell, make all long distance calls on your cell, you're paying for those minutes anyway.

AT&T thought they were going to start charging $4.95 to do NOTHING just to be on my phone bill as my official long distance service. Mmm, don't think so. I notified my phone company, BellSouth, to cut them off, and they did so immediately.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[buycottJoe]

23. Working Assets has long distance service

They donate to progressive causes such as get out the vote campaigns and the ACLU.

http://www.workingassets.com

TrueMajority, which has 400,000 members, is encouraging people thru their e-mail list to sign up with Working Assets. Unfortunately the WA credit card is thru MBNA.

[chicaloca]

39. great company...

I used to have it at my old apartment, and it was great. They donate some of your bill each month to progressive groups of your choice, and each month they select two legislators to whom you can make a free call each month. The calls are only like two or three minutes, but still...

(And the only reason I don't have them anymore is because my new roommate and I don't want/need long distance.)

[kslib]

31. As a beginner in looking closely at my choices

when it comes to buying, I think I'm done now. It's so confusing, and all the info. that comes to us is either missing pieces (as far as contribution) or delivered to us in a nasty "tone." I'm trying to make good choices, but am afraid to post questions anymore because of responses like the ones given here. You want to convert people into making meaningful choices? Try a little honey and a lot of unity. Confusing people with conflicting information and insinuating that they are stupid or lazy when they don't have all the information is counter-productive and will only drive the beginners and/or the moderates away.

[crispini]

32. Oh, don't let that one poster on this thread scare you away!

There are a lot of nice people in this group. :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

33. ditto what crispini said

this is the only flame war I've seen in this forum

I try to make it easy. I look for "Made in America" or (just because I'm a bit contrary) "Made in France" and stay out of Walmart :evilgrin:

[kslib]

34. Oh yes, I really just wanted to make a point.

And ditto on the Wal-Mart hate!