Okay, here's a good one....
Take a look at this Associated Press release.
To sum it up for you, the House just confirmed a bill from the Senate that will require all TV broadcasters to switch all of their analog broadcast signals to digital signals by Dec 31, 2008 (basically before 2009). The bill also sets aside $830 million ($830,000,000) to help underprivileged Americans pay for the $50-$60 converters that would be needed for those who do not have "cable" TV, but still rely on over-the-air signals. Yes, I know, my gut reaction was at first "WHY IS THE HOUSE OF CONGRESS VOTING ON TV?!?!?!?!" as well as asking "WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR THEIR TV?!?!?!?!?" Please try to imagine the level of indignation that cannot be expressed by all-caps and grammatically incorrect punctuation.
However, the "purpose" (sideaffect?) of mandating this move to digital is to free up more radio spectrum which will help to improve the radio communication of civil servants like the police and fire departments. That is only some of the spectrum, though. The rest is supposed to be auctioned off by the government to various radio broadcasters for an estimated $10 billion ($10,000,000,000), which would theoretically pay for the program.
So, the question that I have for you is "Is this the best use of your Representative's time and your tax dollars?
The Democtrats are, as usual, complaining that the bill does not set aside enough money. They argue that $830 million ($830,000,000) will not pay for the converters of all the people who are going to need them.
The Republicans counter this argument by anticipating that not everyone will need the gonvernment's help to buy the $50-$60 converter. They do not expect the more wealthy Americans to ask for a coupon. What's that? The rich aren't getting a break?
Lemme know what you think...
To sum it up for you, the House just confirmed a bill from the Senate that will require all TV broadcasters to switch all of their analog broadcast signals to digital signals by Dec 31, 2008 (basically before 2009). The bill also sets aside $830 million ($830,000,000) to help underprivileged Americans pay for the $50-$60 converters that would be needed for those who do not have "cable" TV, but still rely on over-the-air signals. Yes, I know, my gut reaction was at first "WHY IS THE HOUSE OF CONGRESS VOTING ON TV?!?!?!?!" as well as asking "WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR THEIR TV?!?!?!?!?" Please try to imagine the level of indignation that cannot be expressed by all-caps and grammatically incorrect punctuation.
However, the "purpose" (sideaffect?) of mandating this move to digital is to free up more radio spectrum which will help to improve the radio communication of civil servants like the police and fire departments. That is only some of the spectrum, though. The rest is supposed to be auctioned off by the government to various radio broadcasters for an estimated $10 billion ($10,000,000,000), which would theoretically pay for the program.
So, the question that I have for you is "Is this the best use of your Representative's time and your tax dollars?
The Democtrats are, as usual, complaining that the bill does not set aside enough money. They argue that $830 million ($830,000,000) will not pay for the converters of all the people who are going to need them.
The Republicans counter this argument by anticipating that not everyone will need the gonvernment's help to buy the $50-$60 converter. They do not expect the more wealthy Americans to ask for a coupon. What's that? The rich aren't getting a break?
Lemme know what you think...
posted by Matt at 09:57
1 Comments:
I think, therefore I am.
Matthew
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