I only have to use this occasionally, but on my android I use the app "Talkatone" to make free calls to phones. They have paid plans to keep your number, but I tend to just use new ones whenever one expires.
It might not suit your needs, but it's worked pretty reliably for me for the past 10 years or so.
I can see what you're saying, but at this point Elon is the most powerful person in the US, and certainly more powerful than any politician (even Trump).
I don't think everyone realizes how unbelievably, dangerously rich Elon is. The dude is a moron, but he has enough money to buy out all of our politicians many many times over.