I must have missed the day we were discussing the United States Constitution in high school government class. Surely it is in there somewhere, the provision that allows taxpayer money to be set aside for television converter boxes.

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Judge Judy reruns. There it is, in black and white. How could I have missed it?

For more than a year now, the nation has been peppered with advertisements announcing the “great switch” from analog signals — TVs with antennas — to digital signals. By Feb. 17, all rabbit-ear TVs will produce nothing but snow. If one has an antenna TV, a $40 converter box must be purchased to make the old sets into ones capable of carrying a digital signal. People enrolled in cable or satellite service will experience no change.

That makes the commercials running on cable or satellite stations more than a little humorous. If you are watching the commercial on a cable station, why would it be relevant? Cable and satellite customers need do nothing more than turn on the set. During those same commercials, the voice prompts viewers to “visit our Web site” for more information. OK, so how many people have advanced to the Internet, but still have a rabbit-eared TV?

Sadly, though, our government leaders — the same ones who parade in front of television cameras to let us know the economy is on the brink of absolute collapse — devised a program to funnel $1.34 billion for people to get coupons to get the $40 converter boxes at taxpayer expense.

The new Yankee Stadium cost less to build than the resources put forward to make sure rabbit-eared Americans have that precious inalienable right to watch television.

So many coupons have been sent out, the program is out of money and seeking $650 million more. We are so desensitized to economic numbers, $650 million now sounds like a bargain. Imagine staring at $600 million, stacked in $100 bills in your living room. It’s not very easy to comprehend.

Yet we are so privileged in this country, our government wants to spend nearly $2 billion on making sure every  television set is working correctly.

Makes me feel so proud that those who govern us are so concerned with our welfare and well-being they would fix our TVs.

This is just one example of our ever-increasing dependence on the federal government to clean up our messes. Can’t afford the $40 for a television converter, no problem, Uncle Sam is here to help.

Many years ago, I heard a line that has stuck with me. The scariest 10 words in the English language are: We’re from the federal government and are here to help.

If they really want to help, they’d let us buy our own converters while they guide the coin of the realm elsewhere.

Sorry Judge Judy.

Sean P. Murphy is Web editor of The Vicksburg Post. Write to him at Box 821668, Vicksburg, MS 39182, or e-mail smurphy@vicksburgpost.com..