OUTREACH should have been in the transition plan from the get-go. With five months until D-day, there\'s not enough time to mobilize effectively. Seniors and the disabled need personal assistance and there\'s nothing in the federal plan to get it to them. This is just another reason for Congress to delay analog shut-off. Aug. 31st, 2011, is the Canadian deadline. Congress would be wise to mandate the extension of analog broadcasting until then. The coupon program is a mess and outreach programs like the only described in this story need to be part of a national effort that involves electronics chains, utility companies, organizations like AARP, etc. Electric/gas utility companies and municipal workers could be recruited to install converter boxes. A delay also would allow the electronics industry to increase penetration of digital sets, reducing the need for converter boxes. If the government would get out of the coupon business entirely, the marketplace would see a sharp reduction in retail price of these boxes. They\'d be selling for half the inflated price they\'re going for now... eliminating the need for ANY subsidy.

OUTREACH should have been in the transition plan from the get-go. With five months until D-day, there's not enough time to mobilize effectively. Seniors and the disabled need personal assistance and there's nothing in the federal plan to get it to them. This is just another reason for Congress to delay analog shut-off. Aug. 31st, 2011, is the Canadian deadline. Congress would be wise to mandate the extension of analog broadcasting until then. The coupon program is a mess and outreach programs like the only described in this story need to be part of a national effort that involves electronics chains, utility companies, organizations like AARP, etc. Electric/gas utility companies and municipal workers could be recruited to install converter boxes. A delay also would allow the electronics industry to increase penetration of digital sets, reducing the need for converter boxes. If the government would get out of the coupon business entirely, the marketplace would see a sharp reduction in retail price of these boxes. They'd be selling for half the inflated price they're going for now... eliminating the need for ANY subsidy.