Governmental Digital TV

So today while watching NBC nightly news I saw a report stating that the upcoming change to digital TV, originally scheduled for Feb 17th 2009, will be pushed back to early June because "the country just isn't quite ready yet." They expounded upon that by saying that there are over 6.5 million Americans who use analog reception and still don't have a digital converter box that would allow them to continue to watch TV. Now most of these people still using analog receivers do it not because they are stubborn and don't want to change but rather can't afford to by a converter box (average price $40.00). That's just the ones that are left, there are still plenty more people out there who can't afford a converter box but have received one, and sometimes even two, for free because when this proposed change was announced over 2 years ago the government started giving out coupons to receive free boxes, thus allowing everyone to make the switch. We've all seen the ads on TV about the upcoming switch and most of us either got prepared for the switch, or already have cable and so we don't have to worry. Today, 2 years later, in the Senate there was a heated debate about moving the switch date back to June. Democrats argued that the country just wasn't ready yet, because of the stated 6.5 million who still didn't have boxes and that the government ran out of coupons. Republicans argued that this switch needs to go forward as scheduled because this will free up the airways allowing the government to sell these newly freed airways. The verdict was passed and the date was moved back to early June. Now that I've caught you up on current digital affairs let me express my opinion and reasoning behind it, along with a couple of solutions.

Problem: Government giving out free coupons (sometimes even two per household) to ease the transition and now have run out. What's wrong with the government helping people out some might ask? Well, if the government is handing out coupons worth $40 dollars towards a new box that means the government spent $40.00 per coupon, couple that with over 13 million Americans who have received these coupons and that's a hefty chunk of change. Where did that money come from? Taxpayer pockets. Now there are a couple sub-problems within this problem.
Sub-Problem: We were already in a financial crisis two years ago when this proposal came out and now we have an even larger debt. Why is the government spending money on something that is not a necessity? Some might argue that TV is a line of mass communication during an emergency and that people will need these boxes to be able to continue to receive those emergency instructions. Here's where I find fault in that argument. In most home emergency kits it is recommended to have a three day supply of food and water, a flashlight, extra clothing, battery/hand crank operated radio (with extra batteries), etc. Your TV won't work when the power goes out so that's not included in the emergency kit. Any emergency information broadcasted over the TV will also be broadcasted over the radio. If a digital converter box is necessary for everyone to stay well informed then technically the government should have been giving out free TVs years ago so that everyone could have stayed well informed back then. But they didn't. Why?
Sub-Problem Two: The government would give out two coupons per household. Why? If someone can't afford a converter box my guess is that they probably don't have more than one TV in there house. If they do then their priorities are misplaced and maybe they shouldn't be getting a converter box in the first place. But alas, two coupons per household. Now the government has run out of coupons and there are still 6.5 million households left without boxes. Keep in mind that over 13.5 million have already received their coupons. So let's do that math...13.5 million at two coupons equates to 27 million coupons. Now 13.5 million plus 6.5 million adds up to 20 million. So we should have had an excess of 7 million coupons. Yet we ran out with 6.5 million left without their precious TV.

Solution: TV is a luxury, it's not a right. If you can't afford a one time purchase of $40.00 for a converter box then I'm pretty sure you're struggling to pay rent, buy food, afford health care, etc. TV for you is not a necessity. It's not needed in cases of emergencies, to stay informed (I have a TV and there are still things in world news that I don't know about. Why? Because I don't watch those channels and most people don't either), or is something that the government should regulate.

Problem: This project has been in the making for years and in the public eye for at least two years and now with the conversion date approaching the government is not ready.

Solution: It's too late to take back that extra coupon we gave to each household so now it's time to just cut your losses and go ahead with the switch. Americans are resourceful, if they want their TV their going to get it. You'd be surprised how fast a desperate person can muster up $40.00 for something they really want (not necessarily need).

As Glenn Beck would say let's take an ADD moment. The government isn't even able to handle the switch form analog to digital cable on time for those people who can't afford to. Remember there are plenty out there who already have cable or satellite so the government isn't helping them out. What makes us think that they will be able to handle health care for the ENTIRE nation? It's a one time switch that should only cost $40.00 per household that they weren't even able to take care of. Now they want to socialize our health care system and try and manage that for us? If you really think they can pull it off then more power to you.

Problem: TV IS NOT A NECESSITY!

Solution: I've already said it but I'm saying it again. If you can't afford this one time cost then you have bigger problems on your hand than not being able to watch TV. Get your life in order! Again you will see that people will be resourceful enough to find $40.00 somewhere so that they can get their precious television but when they're prescribed an expensive (because it hasn't gone generic), live-saving medication they think twice about it. What's more important in the future my health or my entertainment?

Now you might think this critical of me (along with my other prior blogs) and you know what...you're right. I am being critical. I think that this was a stupid idea to begin with and I continue to believe it. At least I've come up with solutions. I think that priorities are being misplaced in this nation. So if I think something is stupid, idiotic, ridiculous then I'm going to say it.

Addendum:
I just found this article online. My favorite quote is the very last statement.