Obama: Let’s Postpone Digital TV Switch
And why should we postpone the switch? Oh, because the government has run out of money for those coupons that would help poor people get converter boxes.
Not enough economically challenged Americans would be able to upgrade their systems in time, and then they would have to (gasp!) go without TV.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the [mindless watching of television].
Tom J. was so advanced for his day.
Reit This Way 
I have to admit I don’t know too much about politics, but we had some friends over on Sunday, and the husband was talking about the liberal media, and how much it pushed the country in that direction…my point is, this post goes along with what he was talking about (again, I’m sure this is common knowledge to people smarter than myself :-). The president elect wouldn’t want to get rid of his biggest supporter and promoter, I’m guessing. I could totally go without TV, honestly. Movies I’d like to keep, but I don’t care for TV. My SCC football loving husband would have a harder time, though, and that’s why we have it. Go LSU!
I meant have cable, that is. 🙂
The whole TV thing began years ago in Congress, so I don’t exclusively blame Obama. I just think it’s ridiculous to delay it.
Those converter box coupons were only for poor people? They can have mine back…some friends gave us a hand-me-down TV that turned out to be digital-ready a couple of months ago. Seriously, I’m of two minds about the whole thing. I didn’t particularly care for the original switch idea, because I do think basic broadcast TV should not cost you money apart from the set. BUT, at the same time, it’s NOT a government-guaranteed RIGHT.However, since they’ve been pushing it so long, I think they should go ahead and make the switch. Otherwise it’s going to be like the Metric Bogeyman, forever looming over our heads (we’re going to switch ANY DAY NOW) and never actually happening. Kind of like the passport requirement for land crossings from Canada…
jen, in case you check back in, it is actually the sec conference. sorry to correct you, i just love college football. ‘life (so long as your host body wants you), liberty and the pursuit of whatever the heck you want’ is kinda our country in a nutshell.r
Ah, so that’s why they’ve run out. People like Kasia, who could probably afford a converter box, snatched them up!Seriously though, they continue to argue that it’s the poor and minorities who need to get them and won’t be able to. Their words, not mine. I’ve no idea what the criteria was to get them. As for the whole issue anyway, technology has moved on. We didn’t give people money to buy cassette decks when 8 tracks became obsolete. If you can’t afford a new TV, then go without. It’s not like this is a surprise. When we bought our tv back in 2004/2005, they told us to get one that was at least HD ready. This law was passed in 2005. That’s 4 years to save up. Sorry. I’m a cold hearted witch.
I was watching the news the other night and thought basically the same thing. TV is not a necessity, we can do without it. We can listen to the radio to hear the news. It is rediculous that this has become so important that it is one of the lead stories.
Well, it’s just TV. I’m boycotting since that writers’ strike fiasco last year. They made me mad. Six episodes and then finales? I don’t think so. I haven’t watched TV since then. My TV is from 1992. My converter box coupon, for which there were no requirements, expired. They can keep their programs and their advertising. I have better things to do.
We’ve just decided to take the plunge and get cable TV for the first time in almost two years.But we had to make some other “entertainment” cuts in our budget (health insurance wasn’t one of them).Before I get too fired up and write something I might regret, I’ll just say this is another one of your thought-provoking and succinct posts.Blessings,Kate