[traditional1]

Cost to taxpyers=$990 million when passed in 2005, with automatic additional funding up to $1.5 billion.

I would like to know where in the U.S. Constituiton the "right to own a TV" is? Is there something in there that provides a TV set as a basic "right" under said Constitution????

[SpaceBar]

I would like to know where in the U.S. Constituiton...

It's under the subsidized couch potato clause.

[SteamShovel]

I would like to know where in the U.S. Constituiton the "right to own a TV" is? Is there something in there that provides a TV set as a basic "right" under said Constitution????

In addition, where in the Constitution is the right for the government to regulate something as basic as communication written? Interstate Commerce is a stretch if you ask me. The ability to communicate over RF wasn't known when the Constitution was written and I think the intent of the Commerce clause was for real "commerce", not "communication" or communication types and modes.

[PAR35]

Is there something in there that provides a TV set as a basic "right" under said Constitution????

Try the 5th Amendment.

You pay $600 for a TV. The government then changes the law, making it worthless. It can be argued that that is a 'taking' or an inverse condemnation.

Are the taxpayers better off giving you a $40 coupon, or in dealing with your federal lawsuit over the 'taking'?

[Hot Tabasco]

I would like to know where in the U.S. Constituiton the "right to own a TV" is? Is there something in there that provides a TV set as a basic "right" under said Constitution????

You and I both know that its not. That being said, if there is some way I can redeem a $40 voucher at a merchant who is going to sell these things without having to buy the converter then I am going to do so.

With the taxes I've paid over my lifetime I'm going to do every thing in my power to start getting some of those bucks back............

[Paridel]

The government made something like $8 billion of the sale of digital broadcast rights. So this money (i.e. these rebates) shouldn't really be costing taxpayers anything.

Of course, the switch to digital will end up costing taxpayers a lot.

-paridel