So you have to buy a converter box to watch your free TV. Big deal. Stop crying about a coupon and buy one already. Better yet, get cable or satellite already.
On Feb. 17, 2009 over seventy million TV’s in the United States will need a digital converter box in order to work due to the scheduled shutdown of traditional analog signals. Now news agencies like MSNBC is reporting ‘No Cash Left for Digital TV Converter Box Coupons‘. Oh no, what do we do? Another Government bailout? Now there’s outrage that so many people are being shut off without assistance, or at least with no immediate assistance. Where has everyone been? This has been in the news for years. Did this really ’sneak up’ on anyone?
I have a different take on the issue. I look at it like this, the Government (by that I mean the taxpayer) doesn’t owe anyone a good entertainment experience and shouldn’t be concerned with or even involved with helping anyone purchase a converter box. Did we buy the outdated TV?
It’s fine that some people want to stick with regular broadcast television. I have no problem with it. But is that really a public service? Why do so many people think it should be free? Just because that option has been available for years doesn’t mean it should last forever.
Why should the broadcast companies be required to air their service via radio waves anyway? If they want to that’s fine but why should it be a requirement? People have the right to heat their homes with coal but that doesn’t mean the energy companies are required to deliver coal to every ole folgie’s home that wants it.
Stop crying about a few bucks for a converter and be happy you don’t have a cable or satellite bill. Stop acting like everything is a God given right and be thankful for what you have. And get cable or satellite for your kids for God’s sake you cheap azz. That’s for those that are reading this at the library because they feel internet access is an expense for the rich 
Oh yea, Comcast SUCKS so get satellite 
That’s Right, I Said It!
Tags: That's Right I Said It, TV
I have an altogether different take on this fiasco – Y’know those crappy li’l boxes couldn’t cost more than $5 to manufacture so I’ll just bet thatthe money that’s been squandered on the whole coupon thing – the creation, administration, fulfillment, etc. – probably cost far more than it would’ve for the gubment to simply give anyone who wanted one a digital converter box. That’s right – GIVE the boxes away.
The gov’t could’ve coordinated this effort with local cable companies for distribution – which would’ve given the cable companies a nice opportunity to try to woo more customers.
Rob O.s last blog post..Digitally Dismayed
It’s hard to make sense of government thinking. I agree, they spend a lot more money trying to figure out what to do with the money than they would just giving it away.
Look at the financial bailout. It would have been cheaper and more effective to just give the money to the taxpayers. But that wouldn’t have benefited big campaign contributors!
I’m not one of those guys that thinks the government is out to get them, I just think it’s run by idiots
Yea, I know, I voted for some of them too.
Well, I am going to try and stay calm here. This whole thing has brought out some BS issues for me.
Some of the people that are in need of their TV happen to be elderly and shut ins. It happens to be pretty much the only way they have much ‘contact’ with the world outside of their house or maybe a neighbor that picks up groceries for them. These are not drug using welfare recipients that just sit on their asses spending tax money. Many of these people have worked and raised families and are now only given $800 a month to live on. It only takes 1 idiot at a government run office to decline their food assistance or medical and they are at the mercy of good Samaritans to give them food day to day. I know some of these people because they are neighbors that I have taken food, tried to help get their assistance straightened out, or argue medical bills (after filling out page after page of stupid papers. The same papers that are send over and over with no response).
The government has been allowing corporate CEO’s to live high on the hog while stealing just so we can pay for their happy little scheme to continue. Hate to think that they may loose their homes, cars, or their spoiled freaking kids may have to without the latest and greatest.
The government officials give themselves raises while cutting out services for the men and women that have been good Americans only to be left in the cold when the high ups want more things for themselves.
The TV converter boxes at our Walmart are $70. May not sound like much but, it is when you are living on the brink. The TV we have is 3 years old and will not work without cable, satellite, or a converter box. Most older people can not afford a new TV (or cable). Maybe they could have sent out a coupon with the SS checks, of the very fixed income people, and said screw the rest.
So I do understand that the taxpayer may not want to go to the expense to give a $40 coupon out but, I think that is not even a drop in the bucket as to ways our government is squandering the tax payers’ money.
I will stop there. Told you this pissed me off!
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl, Looks like I touched a nerve there. One of the risks I take when I go off on a rant like that. I can get very opinionated at times i.e. my slogan ‘That’s Right I Said It’.
I apologize if I offended you. I do see your point and I admire your passion. I’m not surprised you are helping the elderly, that’s very kind. I agree with Rob, the government probably could have given the boxes away cheaper. Now they’re out of money and no one has the coupons. I like your idea of including them in the social security checks. That alone would save millions.
After reading posts like these i am even more glad that i dont have a TV at home – so many life hours saved.
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Hi SEO, Wow, no TV. I admire that decision. I’ve said for years I would like to get rid of ours. I’m impressed.
Brian,
I do not get offended when an opinion is put out but, also allows me to state my side.
I do understand the frustration that money is being wasted on ’stupid’ stuff! It just seems that sometimes the honest hard working people are the ones left out of any return on their labor.
I think we should have people that live on more ‘normal’ wages making decisions about the governments spending. Some of the people in charge have lost the perspective of people that do not make wages like lawyers, CEO’s, ….. If they had to raise families on $10 an hour they might think twice about just throwing money around.
We do have TV but, only get 4 channels. Had cable for about a year out of my life. Kinda like 50,000 channels & nothing on.
Sheryl Lochs last blog post..Blog Co-Op at The Internet Marketers Guild
I’m glad you come by and speak your mind Sheryl and you will always be welcome to. It’s refreshing to hear other point of views. I’m very opinionated at times so no one will agree with me every time and if they did it would just be boring. On some issues we can just agree to disagree. I do understand your point on this topic though and will always respect your opinion.