$1.5 BILLION of Your Taxes Are Going to Fix Old Televisions!

Welcome to tax season. While you are thinking about deductions, itemizing, and returns give this some thought. In 2005 Congress quietly set aside $1.5 BILLION to cover the cost of converter boxes for soon to be out of date television sets. That's where part of the taxes you pay this year will go.

From the beginning, television broadcasts have been sent using analog technology. We're talking about non cable and satellite channels here. Starting in the year 2009, all broadcasts are going to be sent out using digital television technology. If you are using a TV that only receives analog transmissions, then you will not be able to view TV after the change over without a converter box.

The plan legislated by Congress will give two $40 voucher to eligible households, good towards a converter box. The US Commerce Department had planned on only allowing households without cable or satellite service be eligible for the vouchers.

Representative John Dingell, (D-Mich), criticized the plan saying it "disadvantages the poor, elderly, minority groups and those with multiple analog television sets in their homes." So he want to expand the program and set aside even more than the $1.5 BILLION already set aside. Folks with multiple TV sets in their homes are "poor"??? I only have one in mine. "Disadvantages....."?!? Go cut a yard and earn the money it will take for you to get a converter. Noone gave me the money when I bought a TV that is already capatable.

Dingell went further to say that people deserve a "government backed plan...." Last I knew there is no right to TV. Maybe we should all apply for lost costs to upgrade from vinyl albums and BETA vhs tapes. If your TV is that old that it will not receive digital broadcasts, it probably isn't even worth the $80 in voucher the government will hand you. See if your neighbor down the road tells you thanks!

Again, this is not the kind of responsible legislation we should expect from elected officials, and it certainly doesn't make much sense for America. I guess we really don't have that much else more important they should be doing.