Converter Box Controversy

With the cascade of advertisements warning of February's digital transition, there ought to be an outcry particularly from elder and poverty advocates. But the silence is deafening. This is as bad a time for digital transition for cash-strapped consumers as can be imagined. The nation is in the grip of recession if not in the early throes of depression and every dollar counts. The ads say the government is providing $40 coupons to facilitate transition. The government provides nothing; the taxpayer once again is burdened with having to rob Peter to pay Paul. The actual motivation for digital transition seems to be so the FCC can sell the analog frequencies again. They are said to be public airways so why should the government at this precarious time impose another expense on the public, particularly those who can least afford it? Delay the transition or allow broadcasters greater latitude to decide for themselves. Most are already transmitting both analog and digital signals and can easily continue. Or stagger the start and test a particular media market less affected by recession to see how seniors and the poor are able to handle it. If the date remains a drop dead certainty in February, many people will only have radio to rely on and many of them will rightly blame the politicians who lacked the foresight to anticipate this eventuality.