The FCC assesses this tax on carriers but allows them to pass it through to their subscribers. It is purportedly assessed to help defray the cost of supplying phone service to poor, sparsely populated rural areas. Who actually receives the funds and under what formula is a big mystery. All subscribers must pay it, even if they never call long distance. That's maybe the intent.
Liberalism is a philosophy that is very appealing.
We all hate to see people in unfortunate circumstances. Politicians understand this, and this is the way they gain control. They want to help people get out of these circumstances, so they create a program to ease the suffering. At some point, they see or create another area where people need help, and they repeat the process. Once they get enough people dependent on this ''help,'' they warn of the dangers of removing these supports.