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While many people are sick of hearing about the switch to digital television, they may not recognize this issue for what it is: an example of others deciding what is "best" for people without their consent. This issue exemplifies the progressive dipping into folk's lives by the government, micro-managing and invading. These laws are always passed "for our own good" of course. As an adult who wants to retain the right to make decisions for myself, even if they don't meet the standards of some law-maker out there, I say no one should force us to move to a digital only world without our consent. In other words, I want my vote counted!

My first thought on hearing about the law forcing stations to become all digital was "someone is going to make money because of this, a lot of money." Someone, somewhere has a huge stake in the digitalizing of our television media. Whoever it was caught us off guard because the law was passed with little to no fanfare; the majority of people didn't even know about it.

"You'll get a better picture," they chant. When the weather doesn't interfere, this is a true statement. However, digital is not perfect and you wind up having your station pixilate or even disappear for seconds or minutes at a time. At least on analog, I get to watch (and hear) the entire show.

A "better picture" does not make up for issues with volume. In order to hear with a converter box, you must turn the volume up all the way. Even then, there is no guarantee you will hear all of the programs. Of course, commercials always come in loud and clear: surprise, surprise.

First a person who wants to continue watching television must buy a converter box that costs a minimum of ten dollars with a coupon. Many may claim ten dollars isn't much, but if a person or family lives frugally on a fixed income, ten dollars can spell the difference between watching television and eating. Then the prospective television watcher must bear the expense of a better antenna if they really want to get all those extra channels promised. These folks, strapped for cash at the best of times, may not have the option of purchasing cable or DTV they do not even want.

This move to exclusive digital television may appear as a non-issue to some, but I can guarantee you a converter box marks only the beginning of the hidden and not so hidden costs this move will engender. This law forces folks to make a difficult, impossible for some, choice in regard to their television viewing. The choices are: stop watching television, comply and pay all the added costs, hook up through cable or DTV or buy a new HDTV. Viewers must jump through the hoops while someone gets a whole new influx of cash from the "cattle" herded through the chute of forced digital television.

I own an analog television with rabbit ears. I only get a few stations, but I'm happy with that. Ask yourselves these questions: Who stands to gain by this move? Should Congress have the right to force me to go digital without my consent? Should Congress have the right to force all television stations to become digital? And finally, where will it end? Congress, in passing this law, protected big business at the expense of those who keep television solvent: the viewer.

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
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