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.
"This is really, really stupid."
Congress and Bush signed off on it.
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.
Your points are true if simple Supply & Demand were at work. What you are forgetting are the Price Controls on the Consumer Electronics manufacturers followed by the Congressional hearings on price gouging and a new Windfall Profits Tax. C'mon, use your noodle!
I can go out and buy a new, low end DVD player for $40......
$17 down here. Brand name is Coby