Free TV — one converter box at a time

One of the silliest proposals we've heard for public spending is the one that the federal government subsidize the purchase of digital-TV converter boxes.

The issue arises because of the planned conversion in 2009 of all television signals from analog to digital. This switch is a good thing. Digital provides clearer pictures and better sound. Digital will take up less of the broadcast spectrum, allowing for expanded use by police and fire departments. It will also allow an auction of the spectrum, raising billions, perhaps to reduce the federal deficit. But after conversion, an analog TV won't work without a converter box. Some argue changing the signal in this way is an imposition on the public, particularly the poor. It is also argued that TV has become a public necessity.

The proposal is that the government help pay for each $50-$60 box by passing out $40-off coupons. For this, the U. S. House would appropriate $830 million; the Senate would spend $3 billion — or $10 for every American.

We are for helping the poor — with education, medicine, food and other things. Fixing up old TVs, no. Television is not a necessity. We know some people who have none, and they get along all right.

Furthermore, the amount of money that will be required to equip an old TV is not much. We put it to Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., who advocates this subsidy, that even the poor would be able to raise $50 or $60 if given three years to do it.

"They would be able to do that," he said. "My question is whether they would be pleased to do it."

Most people, we think, will be pleased to buy a digital television and get a better picture and sound. Most of the rest will easily afford $60, and will have their pick of newer analog TVs available for almost nothing.

This is an adjustment the people can make on their own.