I didn't think the cable companies would force their customers to switch. If they were to do that, many customers would start considering the alternatives (DirecTV, Broadcast Digital, etc.) and they would loose a percentage of their customers.

I guess that's good news, but for $50 a month (thats what standard analog costs by me) you would think they could just upgrade everyone to Digital and lower their prices...

They are doing this to force people to "upgrade" to a higher price level or to force people to purchase standard analog cable if they want to watch TV. Cable is a rip off and so is satellite, but cable more so.

In a way I'm behind the choice to give out coupons for the boxes. I work in an electronics department for a major warehouse store, and I get people every day that don't want to spend hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on a new tv or digital capable DVD recorder. They just want to keep using their existing tv that "works fine". If the FCC mandates changes in frequency delegation on a scale that impacts the whole country, they should step up and provide the public help. Think about low-income people that had to save for maybe months to buy a 19-inch tv from Wal-mart or a pawn shop. They can't afford the new stuff right away. They sure will feel cheated or left out the day their tv stops working.

Originally posted by H0bbes:

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They sure will feel cheated or left out the day their tv stops working.

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No offense, but the "majority" of this "minority" are those getting government handouts anyways. With their sense of entitlement, they will just b1tch about their TV not working and probably get more than a coupon.

It's those people that work minimum wage jobs and aren't tech savvy, like my mother, that are really going to be left in the dark. They better put these ads ALL OVER TV, and be better than a 30 second spot. I'm sorry, but giving vouchers for a box just shows how lazy our people on Capitol Hill have gotten.

Quote:

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Originally posted by H0bbes:

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They sure will feel cheated or left out the day their tv stops working.

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No offense, but the "majority" of this "minority" are those getting government handouts anyways. With their sense of entitlement, they will just b1tch about their TV not working and probably get more than a coupon.

It's those people that work minimum wage jobs and aren't tech savvy, like my mother, that are really going to be left in the dark. They better put these ads ALL OVER TV, and be better than a 30 second spot. I'm sorry, but giving vouchers for a box just shows how lazy our people on Capitol Hill have gotten.

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try living on below minimum wage,try makign it where if you work you lose that steady amount of money,or your healthcare goes away leaving you holding 200$ monthly bills, then theres the good onld fashioned we'll teach you how to work at minmium wage and give you a steady below minmium wage check untill you get a job that lasts for a month.....

hand outs aren't free yo!

0-o
*shoots the dumb voice*
>>

I believe in well fiar but it needs to be better balanced to make sure people have gotten off the ground befor droppign them.....creating a solid health care system that will take care of them would a long way to fix that....

And don't get me started on corperate welfare...

Suits:but but it makes jobs!
Blue collar: ya in other countries!
Suits:it builds the lively hood of the working populace!
Blue collar:ya in china.....while devastating the US working populace....

rantrantrant............

Agreed with all the comments left above about my first one. Most of those ARE obvious. I was in no way excusing the lazy politicians or the people referred to in this statement: "No offense, but the "majority" of this "minority" are those getting government handouts anyways. With their sense of entitlement, they will just b1tch about their TV not working and probably get more than a coupon. " There is NO excuse for laziness.
I was referring to people like my disabled aunt and grandparents who have just gotten comfortable with how to operate a DVD player. THEY are the ones who will suffer, for lack of me finding a better word. These are the people who truly need the government's help.

Originally posted by H0bbes:

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Agreed with all the comments left above about my first one. Most of those ARE obvious. I was in no way excusing the lazy politicians or the people referred to in this statement: "No offense, but the "majority" of this "minority" are those getting government handouts anyways. With their sense of entitlement, they will just b1tch about their TV not working and probably get more than a coupon. " There is NO excuse for laziness.
I was referring to people like my disabled aunt and grandparents who have just gotten comfortable with how to operate a DVD player. THEY are the ones who will suffer, for lack of me finding a better word. These are the people who truly need the government's help.

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sorry rant mode went over 9000 LOL

ya now I see what you mean,that the lower bracket will be hurt the most if the goverment dose not make sure the switch is done correctly.

It is funny how this changeover has been discussed for about 10 years now, but the powers that be are waiting until the absolute last minute to inform the general public about it. You would be surprised how many people haven't heard of the mass switch to digital.

Originally posted by Unfocused:

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It is funny how this changeover has been discussed for about 10 years now, but the powers that be are waiting until the absolute last minute to inform the general public about it. You would be surprised how many people haven't heard of the mass switch to digital.

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And the digital pipes though the phone lines are helping deflate the nazi cable companies but only wind up making meaner conglomerates ;_; "oh goverment lilbig brother is groping me!!"

either way consumers will have to change their signals regardless due to the non support for the old signal. i just hope by then the prices would drop.