Posted on 07/25/2006 11:12:56 AM PDT by VRWCtaz
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An estimated 21 million U.S. households, those that rely solely on over-the-air television broadcasts, would be eligible to get coupons to buy digital converter boxes, according to a Commerce Department agency proposal released on Monday.
Coupons would not be offered to a majority of U.S. households because they already have an alternative. The Government Accountability Office estimates about 85 million households watch television using cable or satellite services.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
To heck with the converter coupons, where is my HDTV coupon? I want it NOW.
I bought one for camping, a portable tv and was given no warning this was going to happen - where is my coupon?
It is only fair.
I know I should be able to come up with a SA comment regarding school vouchers and TV coupons...
Shear Foolishness!
Obviousy, you don't belong to the Democrat voter-base. Their constituents have learned not to BUY anything; wait for the Democrats to protest, whine, finger-point, and name-call until the Gubmint gets people like you to pay for the free-loaders' every wanted item.
Now, when the "middle class" that Hildabeast is talking about gets their "free" medical coverage, and then their free "Mercedes, BMW, or Cadillac" that YOU as a taxpayer will be required to pay for, you will learn how the Democrat voter thinks.........
"However, we would hope that no broadcast-only TV sets are forced to go dark during this transition," said NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton."
You may still have a chance!
"Democrat voter thinks........"
How do they do that?
I don't think this ever happened, you're telling stories now aren't you?
Are the idiots in congress seriously suggesting that the federal government needs to subsidize the costs of converter boxes for TWO televisions per household doesn't have cable or satellite television subscriptions?
I can go out and buy a new, low end DVD player for $40.
A tuner box for HD TV is not going to be a big expense, at least not after a few months go by and the market drives down the price.
However, it the government offers $40 coupons, the converters will definitely cost at least $40 if not $50-$60 since the government will have artificially raised the price consumers are willing to pay.
This is a huge government handout to consumer electronics companies, and since the US is not a major player in that market, it's mainly a gift to foreign companies.
This is really, really stupid.
You just THINK you were being sarcastic. Just wait until we hear of inner-city programs to do just that!
I remember clearly all the programs to get internet-ready PC's in the hands/homes of the poor inner-city families.... Yeah and those same-said computers wound up for sale and in pawn shops within days...
I think Congress budgeted something like $8B for converters but cannot find the stones to pony up $1B for border fencing.
How do they do that?
I don't think this ever happened, you're telling stories now aren't you?"
You're right; my bad....
TV networks are poor and need help so Congress passed this subsidy for them. It has nothing to do with bribes/campaign contributions given to congressmen.
/sarc
"This is really, really stupid."
Congress and Bush signed off on it.
"Shear Foolishness!"
No, scissors won't work. You really have to have the converter.
No, the Idiots at the US Commerce Department are suggesting - the Idiots in Congress are just authorizing 1.5B for it.
The perfect example is government subsidized education, I see all the colleges and universities raised their prices another 5 percent this year.
Nothing will ever cost less than the amount it is subsidized for.
Yes Congress and the President authorized this, and it was "really, really stupid" then as well.
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