the switch to all digital TV=Shananigans!!

So this switch to all digital nonsense is really got me pissed off.
The cable, dish, and other TV providers have decided that they want to make sure they get their money from everybody so they are no longer making TV free for those with rabbit ears. It is a joke, many people around this county cannot or do not want to pay for cable, so they get their 4 channels for free so they can be thrifty and now the gov't won't let them, b/c the big corporations have convinced congress and the greedy ol' fuckers on the hill that every should have to pay for TV. And the "coupons" they are offering are not for free service, you still have to buy or rent the box and the coupons is only worth $40 and you can only request 2, then you have to pay for the rest after that. It is despicable that these business have the gov't in their back pocket the poor people of this country are the ones that have to suffer.

Soon we will have to pay for radio, remember when radio was free. We will be able to tell our kids, "I remember when TV and radio for free."
I call Shananigans and corruption on the US gov't.

Bail Out?? How about this idea

I was forwarded this e mail from a friend, and i really like the idea, it will never work but i love it.
================
If we have this kind of Tax Money to throw at the AIG bailout why don't we do something useful with it like Birk says below. Finally something worth
passing around via EM. Maybe we all need to pass this to our
congressmen/Senators.

*************************************************************

The Birk Economic Recovery Plan

Hi Pals,

I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in
favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a 'We Deserve It Dividend'.
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bon-a-fide U.S.
Citizens 18+.Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman
and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals
$425,000.00. My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a 'We Deserve
It Dividend'. Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate
of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends
$25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult
18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00. What would
you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

* Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.

* Repay college loans - what a great boost to
new grads

* Put away money for college - it'll be there

* Save in a bank - create money to loan to
entrepreneurs.

* Buy a new car - create jobs

* Invest in the market - capital drives growth

* Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves

* Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting
back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( 'vote buy' ) economic incentive that is being
proposed by one of our candidates for President. If we're going to do an
$85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG:
Liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here's my rationale:
We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work', but can you imagine
the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion 'We
Deserve It Dividend' more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .
And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because
$25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.