[SJSAMPLE]

Basically, the fed mandated the obsolescence of a good number of perfectly fine televisions.

Asking them to pony up for their decision isn’t so bad, and manufacturers have been including digital tuners in almost every new TV for the past two years (I think that’s also mandated by law).

If the goobermint mandated 100% ethanol conversion by 2012, would you feel bad if they ponied up for the conversions of older petrol cars?

[Dad was my hero]

If the goobermint mandated 100% ethanol conversion by 2012, would you feel bad if they ponied up for the conversions of older petrol cars?

Yes. Of course I don't believe the government should be interfering in the market, certainly not to that extent. The airwaves they have claimed are the public's and they are administering them. I don't have as much a problem with them trying to set standards (i.e. moving to digital broadcasts) and freeing up airwaves for other use as I do for them paying for people to convert their TVs because they don't want to pony up the $50 to $70 dollars for their own TV.

[dan1123]

Basically, the fed mandated the obsolescence of a good number of perfectly fine televisions.

I think the fed was salivating at being able to cut the television broadcast spectrum down for other uses and the ability to sell off the freed-up airspace. Just being able to put digital stations right next to each other is a major boon for the spectrum hawkers. A few hundred million $$$ for the added spectrum is an easy buyout when you're guaranteed billions for the sale.