Consumerist
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your government
How Can We Save Our Debt-Swamped Government?
The United States is $10.2 trillion in debt. Like countless Americans, our government has spent beyond its means and needs help getting back on its feet. We recently received a panicked email from White House Budget Director Jim Nussle... More »
6:00 PM on Sat Oct 11 2008
By Carey
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your government
How To Write To Congress
Writing to Congress is the single best way to express your view on public policy. The average consumer has a surprising ability to influence legislation by crafting a well written missive. Let's find out what the common mistakes to avoid are, how the process works, and the best ways to ensure your letter has the greatest impact. More »
4:10 PM on Tue Sep 23 2008
By Carey
0 views, 48 commentsMost discussed egoldin: Here's a question. I'd love to write a letter (as opposed to an email), but my handwriting sucks. Like, it's more »
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Here's an informative slideshow that breaks down how your tax dollars are spent (spoiler alert: nearly half goes to the military). [CNBC]
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news from the swamp
New Treasury Department Plan: "Rehashed Industry Wish-List"
US PIRG's Ed Mierzwinski thinks the Treasury Department's recently announced plan for reforming financial regulation,
...may include some good ideas, but it is largely a re-hashed, unsubstantiated industry wish-list that seeks to eliminate state enforcement authority over insurance, securities and other financial products, without even guaranteeing strong consumer protection at the federal level.
I gotta say, when I first read about Henry Paulson's plan, it sounded like they said, hey, we've got this pile of proposals here, let's go down to Kinkos, use their binding machine, and call it a day.
Statement: Treasury regulatory proposal— a Wall Street home run and a Main Street strike out [U.S. PIRG Consumer Blog]
PREVIOUSLY: Treasury Secretary Calls For Supercharged Fed, Streamlined Regulatory System -
deckchairs on the titanic
Treasury Secretary Calls For Supercharged Fed, Streamlined Regulatory System
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson wants to consolidate the nation's financial regulators into a tripartite gang that can save the economy from distress and doom. The plan to give the Federal Reserve broad new regulatory powers and streamline the regulatory community has been in the works since last March, before the start of the subprime meltdown. Paulson is worried that the U.S. markets are no longer competitive with maturing world markets, some of which aren't hampered by nuisances like regulation. After the jump we'll explain the consumer impact of the plan and introduce you to your three new regulators. More »
4:38 PM on Sat Mar 29 2008
By Carey
0 views, 46 commentsLatest by Charles Duffy: @Mr. Gunn: That's not to say that all risks are the same, or that people don't have the ability (when more »
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you've got mail
Economic Stimulus Reminder Notes Are Here!
We recently received our "Economic Stimulus Payment Notice," and it seems worth far less than the $41.8 million the Treasury spent on printing and mailing. The letter contained no surprises, but did extend the tantalizing possibility that we would receive "a notice and additional information shortly before the payment is made." Check out the full letter and a handy eligibility chart, after the jump.
More »
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Wondering where the tax money you pay into the NYC public school system is going? Well, part of it goes to pay the salaries of about 700 teachers who are forced to sit in special rooms that are located all over the city. All day. And do nothing. Sometimes for years at a time. [Rubber Room via BuzzFeed]
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free parking
The Vast Majority Of Philadelphia Parking Tickets May Be Invalid
A CBS investigation has revealed that parking tickets stemming from 85% of the parking meters in Philadelphia are invalid. Pennsylvania law requires inspectors to certify each parking meter for accuracy once every three years, but the single inspector working for Philly's Licenses and Inspections Department, the city agency in change of certification, has visited less than 15% of all parking meters—but he has found the time to certify some meters 8 times while others go completely unchecked. As a result, thousands of parking tickets are invalid under state law. More » -
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product safety
Senate Votes For Safer Products, Approves Consumer Product Safety Commission Overhaul
The Senate finally voted last week to send the ailing Consumer Product Safety Commission desperately needed funds, staff, and powers. The overdue reform bill passed with bipartisan support on a 79-13 vote. More » -
your government
Senate CPSC Reform Compromise Leaves Everyone Bitter, Unsatisfied
Nobody likes the compromise reached by Senators to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Industry thinks the revised plan goes too far, while consumer groups want more. For now, the compromise would allow the CPSC to operate without a quorum, inject needed cash into the Commission, and provide for several other nifty provisions. More » -
your government
Become A DTV Deputy!
Howdy there partner, are you one of them DTV Deputies? No? The FCC thinks it's high time you take the transition to digital television into your own hands. Because why pay for test trials in select communities when you can use early-90's sound effects and cutting edge graphics to bait consumers into studying for a 13-question quiz? More » -
digital tv transition
5 Reasons To Fret Over DTV Coupons
The federal government continues to bungle the transition to digital television, this time by making it difficult for consumers to redeem subsidy coupons for DTV converter boxes. More » -
your government
FCC Regulators Sing, Make Fun Of Our Woeful Unpreparedness For DTV Transition
Meet The Singing Regulators. Regular FCC employees by day, these mellifluous regulators spend their nights performing humorous sendups inspired by the Commission's work. Their latest song pokes fun at the FCC's utter failure to prepare the nation for the planned February 2009 transition to digital television. More » -
your government
Homeowners Fined $347,000 For Trimming Trees Without A Permit
The Glendale Fire Department sent Ann and Mike Collard a notice informing them that the branches on some of their trees were too close to their home. The notice ordered the couple to maintain 5 feet of "vertical clearance between roof surfaces and overhanging portions of trees." More » -
freedom of information
Media Consolidation Is Bad For Everyone
Bill Moyers produced an excellent segment on media consolidation and its disproportionate impact on minorities. African Americans and Hispanics account for over a quarter of the population, but own just 33 of the nation's 1,350 television stations, and only 6% of radio stations. According to Melody Spann-Cooper, owner of Chicago's only black-owned radio station:Radio has moved from being in the business of empowering and educating people to Wall Street, to making money. And that's not the big corporate conglomerates, you know, that's not their fault. They were allowed to do this.
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The State of Michigan will be shut down due to a budget crisis at midnight tonight unless lawmakers can work it out. [State of Michigan]
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your government
Philadelphia Mayor Cracks Down On Tax Evaders, Finds Out He Is One
Philadelphia's mayor, John Street, also known as the "iPhone Mayor," (because he camped out for an iPhone) told Philadelphia he was cracking down on tax scofflaws... only to find out that he is one. More » -
news from the swamp
FDA Reverses Course, Decides Now Might Not Be The Time To Close Half Its Field Labs
Bowing to pressure from Congress, the FDA has decided not to close more than half of its field labs. The ill-timed plan to consolidate seven of the agency's thirteen labs in the name of efficiency and modernization was already under review by a Presidential panel, and had raised the ire of the powerful Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, John Dingell, who recently introduced legislation to block the reorganization. More »
your government
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