Digital TV shouldn't have been delayed

Since Jan. 2008, Americans have prepared for the Feb. 17, 2009 DTV conversion date. More than 107.5 million U.S. households or 94.3 percent are ready for digital TV programming while a few, 5.7 percent or 6.5 million, are not.

Converters for non-cable or non-dish viewers cost from $40 to $60, or only $4.44 per month (13.5 months).

If you needed financial help, you requested the $40 coupon. Some people are so used to being allowed to miss deadlines without any consequence. So why should it be any different this time? If 13.5 months is not enough time to do approximately 20 minutes of work, then TV is not important in your life. Yes, TV is not a necessity. There is radio or newspaper for important news. After all, we are not talking shutting off someone's heat, electricity, gas, water or even their telephone.

So to see our government spending any more time or money on the 5.7 percent of households who couldn't do something to get ready on time is not logical. Why are they going to move now?

The extension should not have been allowed. People need to be held accountable for their procrastination. An alternative solution that would have helped those few Americans is to allow them to file for a rebate if they are on the waiting list for the coupons. After they purchase the converter, the government can send rebate checks until the funds run out. Or maybe the government can give 2009 tax deductions to those who paid full price.

Next, we will move Christmas until everyone is done shopping! What happened to being held accountable?

Ed Michalski

Arlington Heights