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Nice to know who the House of Reps is loyal to - vent
The House of Reps is trying to kill the bill that is going to push the digital conversion back. Even though millions of people cannot make the conversion because they can't afford cable or new tvs, cable isn't available, or there are no more coupons or boxs. The spirit of this country is in the basement, so you are going to take one of their main sources of enjoyment away? We are already supposed to be stupid enough to believe this conversion is for 'our' good, so when they have a chance to actually help the people they refuse? When the switch to color was made, at least your black and white tv still worked!
We know politics is corrupt, they've been really driving it home the last few months, but another slap in the face of how the average citizen isn't worth much is just so sweet.
Re: Nice to know who the House of Reps is loyal to - vent
While I don't agree with the way this whole conversion has been handled in the longer run it will be better for everyone.
The analog signals current open air TV broadcasts on are also the same signals that emergency responders use. By switching TV over to the digital signals it frees up more analog signals for emergency resonders to use. Philadelphia has a huge problem with their police and firefighters getting consisitent usuage of signals from time to time. The government will also be selling portions of the analog signals to cell phone providers which equal revenue for the government which should help with funding without raising taxes. The operative word being should.
What I don't understand is why a person can't just walk into a Best Buy or other electronics store and pick one up for free. Can't the government just keep a registry of who gets one? Name, address, phone # and SS# should do it. This whole coupon nonsense is just that.
Because then they can't use this to make money, which is the whole reason for the deadline. They thought everyone would run out and buy, buy, buy. Problem is - no one has the money! They've been promising this conversion since I was in HS (ten year+), and those waiting to buy the bandwidth finally got a deadline set and don't want it to budge.
A government that gave a darn would see situations have changed and they planned awfully, and work out a better plan. Like your suggested free converter boxes.
I thought the coupons were for a free converter box?
I have to agree. Setting the date back will not help the situation. Most of this country is ready to go, the government had to have known there would be a certain percentage of people that weren't going to be ready. There are people in this world who procrasinate to no end. Whether the date is next month or next year they still wouldn't be prepared. Sometimes the movitivation they need is the very thing they're lacking.
The coupons are only $40 dollars off and one per home. They cost $60-90, and are needed for each tv.
Do you know how much a digital tv is, about $300 for the smallest size. Most people have had more important things to do with their money, like buy food, pay the mortgage, health care, ect. Plus if you can even find a converter box, many areas they are still not available because enough were not made. And then there are the areas that cable is still not available.
It isn't a big deal if you have extra wealth, but the low-income person can not afford to 'up-grade' It isn't a issue of not wanting to, it is an issue of not having the ability to.
From DTV2009.gov
Consumer Options
Options to explore include:
- Keeping your existing analog TV and purchasing a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009. It usually costs between $40 and $70, or
- Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
- Purchase a television with a digital tuner.
If you?re not sure what to do, take a quick quiz to help you figure out your options at www.DTVTransition.orgActually most household do NOT have cable. Times are hard and a lot of people have given up their cable. Also there are many areas of the country that do not have cable services, I've worked with many in the South and West Virginia area. My parents area didn't have cable the majority of my childhood, and that was in Chester County, PA. Converter boxes can not be bought anywhere, they did not make enough. That is part of the push for a delay, to make more boxes. Also most of the coupons expired before converter boxes were being sold in stores. The whole conversion plan was full of errors.
It is not an issue for people that can buy new tvs in the last few years or can afford cable, but as more and more people lose their job that becomes less of an option. I don't think anyone has missed we are in a financial meltdown right now. How hard is it to have consideration for those who aren't as lucky as you? Does it mean people that want digital lose it, no. Does it mean the over six million (per Nielson's estimate) homes that can't make the switch will not have useless boxes sitting in their living rooms in two weeks, yes. I really can't see why anyone would be that thoughless.