Echostar, the company behind the Dish Network and the Slingbox, is offering digital TV converters for $39.99. With the $40 coupon the government is offering for those with older sets that still use rabbit ears, the converters would end up being free.

Originally, the converter boxes were going to be offered between $50 and $70. Echostar is offering the converters at a discount in the interest of obtaining new customers and spreading their brand name.

Obviously, it's a good idea. I can't think of a single person who would pay $50 for something they could get for $40. It is a free-market situation that would warm the heart of most libertarians.

Of course, it's not like Echostar is offering this out of the kindness of their heart. If they slap a "Dish Network" sticker on each unit, that's a lot of publicity.