Letter to the Editor

Digital TV: Fleecing of America

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

To the Editor:

1. DECEPTION:

The year of 2010 was the year when Digital TV was implemented, also the Obama Health Plan was ratified the same year. Both were hostile take-overs of free enterprise and infringements on the rights of everyone. Such intrusion will be remembered as the lies of the century.

Promises made by Digital TV supporters was that you would have more channels with better pictures, which sounded like a bargain. Unfortunately, it was not true--just a travesty. Meanwhile, the news media was trying desperately to sell this ill conceived plan to all America.

As in any sinister plan they need an enforcer. Yes, our own government did force this upon every TV station. And I heard at the time if they were not in compliance, they could not renew their license. Is this an act of tyranny? What else would you call it? To think of the numbers of people who came here to escape it, only to find this power alive and well in our own USA . . . The support from government for this fraud will be known as one of the worst miscalculations of our day.

2. THE PLAN:

All of this was in the making a long time ago, when TV reception from satellites began. Well known films and programs were being taken off TV stations and placed on satellite transmissions. Profits from this were not enough, so the scheme was to make us pay for just watching TV. A custom and freedom which has been around since the beginning of television. The only way they could achieve this was to come up with a signal that our analog TVs could not receive, thus causing all stations to change over to the new system.

3. THE EFFECT:

The cost of this was in millions of dollars. And all analog TVs and antennas were then obsolete. Those living on low income who struggle to provide the necessities of life would suffer the most. A part of their livelihood was taken away. And now they must buy new equipment and pay enormous monthly fees, for what use to be free. How inconsiderate can you get? On the day digital signals took over I lost five channels. Where was more channels and better pictures? It was all a lie. Some time ago I was in a store and while there I talked with a customer who said he was looking for any antenna that would pick up Channel 12. I told him from this area there was no antenna on the shelf that would pick up Channel 12. He like so may had lost TV reception. These are the kind of people you never hear about. If someone says that digital is an improvement, that saying is like adding insult to injury.

4. DIGITAL FLAWS:

Digital signals only extend a few miles from the broadcast tower. And weather conditions can shut them off, also daylight hours often do the same. Converters are used to convert digital signals for analog TVs. However, they are only effective with strong channels. With weak channels they are useless. Analog signals has been known to reach other a hundred miles. Is the technology of the 20th Century better than today? I think not, my own intuition is that digital signals are designed to not reach outlying areas so those living there would have to buy into a satellite provider. For it's all about profits not people.

5. EXPLOITATION:

To those who have bought into the satellite list or cable, you probably have selected the lower price list. What you may have noticed is that they often take most popular and better channels to a higher price list. This is to entice you to pay even more for TV services. For it's not about us but profits for those who operate the system. We are nothing more than merchandise. We have no say or recourse, they dictate everything.

A few years back it was discussed on TV whether a certain channel would be included in the new cable contract. The announcer asked everyone who likes this channel to call in and let them know. I thought at the time, do not call in. If they think a lot of people likes this channel, they will intentionally remove it and place it in a higher price package--and they have.

I receive advertisements frequently, featuring special prices on TV offers. They all have incentives, such as discounts on the first year, but they all arrive virtually at the same price. There seems to be no competition between them. Apparently they are all together on this and have a consistence [sic] to keep prices the same. Thinking there is no other option for subscribers.

6. STATUS QUO:

To be fooled or deceived is an embarrassment to anyone. I am reminded of a saying that has been around for decades, see if you fit in it or not: "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but not all of the people all of the time."

When this disaster was forthcoming, where was our elected officials? I know of no one who opposed it. Are they only concerned with lobbyists and special interest groups? While our politicians were asleep at the wheel, this gang took over one of our greatest assets without firing a shot. Those who gave this a pass should be replaced with noble patriotic leaders who are more loyal to their country than their party.

Joe DePriest

Poplar Bluff, Mo.