By now most everyone in America knows that the TV signals used to broadcast local television shows will be switched from analog to digital on February 17 2009. This switch means that anyone using an analog antenna (rabbit ears) will be unable to receive any broadcasts without a digital converter box. These digital converter boxes run between $50.00 to $80.00 per unit but can be found cheaper, or so I've heard. I've been a cable and satellite customer for over 20 years so I'm not exactly in the market for these type of units.
Our government, in it's infinite wisdom, has seen it way to deciding (with little to no input from it's citizens) to provide a $40.00 coupon to anyone who requests one between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009 to the tune of $1.34 billion - let me repeat... that's $1.34 billion of taxpayers money to provide money for a luxury item for all Americans!!!
This, on it's face, is completely absurd! To somehow suggest that a TV converter box and for that matter TV in and of itself is a right guaranteed by the federal government is ludicrous! A more glaring example of how idiotic socialist programs are being thrust upon Americans is hard to imagine, although the list is growing at an alarming rate at present.
Oh! One more thing, the Washington Post reports today that the TV Converter Program Runs Out of Funding
The government's billion-dollar program to help people prepare for the transition to digital television has run out of money, potentially leaving millions of viewers without coupons to buy converter boxes they need to keep their analog TV sets working after the switch.As of this past Sunday, consumers who request a $40 coupon to help offset the cost of a converter box are being placed on a waiting list. They may not receive the coupons before Feb. 17, when full-power television stations will shut off traditional analog broadcasts and transmit only digital signals.
Members of Congress are now scrambling to find ways to allocate more money to the program.
-Snip-
Each household is eligible to order two $40 coupons, which expire after 90 days. Under the rules set by Congress, the NTIA cannot commit more than $1.34 billion at any time to cover the cost of coupons, so people on the waiting list cannot receive coupons until already-issued vouchers expire. Congress could solve the funding shortfall by approving more money for the program or waiving the rule to allow the NTIA to issue new coupons without waiting for unredeemed ones to expire.
There were 103,000 people on the waiting list as of yesterday afternoon, Baker said. She added that about 351,000 coupons are set to expire each week, which could pump 6 million more coupons into circulation in the next few months. But they may not reach consumers in time for the transition, she said.
As of yesterday, 46.2 million coupons have been requested, but only 18.6 million have been redeemed, according to the NTIA.
Yep you heard that right! As of Sunday the $1.34 billion allocated by Congress has been depleted which means Congress will be digging even deeper into our pockets to pay for another ridiculous expense. Where is that money going to come form? We're tapped out right now having to bail everyone and their mother out of an economic slowdown forgoing market forces for socialism-lite.
This issue along with the the recent bailouts and proposed programs from the incoming administration are hurling this country headlong into a socialist state which cannot, by historical example, even begin to succeed, prosper, or have any hopes of survival.
When government starts deciding that luxury items are rights and it's the government's job to pay for those luxuries with taxpayer money our system, the system that has served us faithfully for so long, fails and with that failure comes nothing but misery and pain.
We have to stand-up and say enough is enough! The people need to take there government back! Strong conservative leaders are needed NOW more than ever! Tell your Representatives that $1.34 billion was more than enough for this ridiculous program and to let it die Not a Penny More!!!
Click Image to view the archive
where would the Dems be without TV?....brings me back to when i threw my first Expletive at my favorite TV.....my epiphany.....I am paying attention now....
"40 million American households that read TMR are generally happier
than those people in households that don't read TMR."