1999 Features
12/25/99 - Y2K Terrorism: Personal Security
Recommendations
By December 20, threats of Y2K-related terrorism started to threaten Americans at
home and abroad. This story is a compilation of government-issued alerts and safety
measures.
12/18/99 - Online Voting: Has its Time Finally
Come?
Amid fears of fraud and lack a privacy, two states prepare to use official online
voting for the first time in their 2000 presidential primaries.
12/12/99 - The Privacy Act: Find Out What the
Government Knows About You
Yes, the government collects information about all of us. But, we have the right
to see most of it and correct it if it's wrong. Here's how to do it.
12/05/99 - The Freedom of Information Act: How to
Request Information
This 1966 Act changed our access to government information from a "need to
know" to "right to know" situation. Find out how to request government
information here.
11/28/99 - Election 2000: House, Senate, Governors
Races
A look at the current balance of power in the House, Senate and State Governors
seates, plus a look at contested races. See who's running for what and where.
11/21/99 - Federal Election Campaign Contribution
Laws
By November of 1999 the twelve top candidates for President 2000 had raised over
$144 million. Find out how much you can legally contribute to the candidate of your
choice.
11/14/99 - Antitrust Violations: How to Detect and
Report Them
These crimes are far mor common than most people realize and hurt both consumers
and business owners. Learn how to protect yourself.
11/06/99 - Microsoft Antitrust Trail: About the
Antitrust Laws
Can an American business be penalized for being "too" successful? They
can if they violate antitrust laws and become a monopoly. What is a monopoly? Find out
here.
10/31/99 - Americas $1.7 Billion Debt to the UN?
The United Nations has threatened to cancel America's right to vote in the
General Assembly unless we pay our back dues. Three Republican Congress men find three
very different ways to deal with the UN.
10/24/99 - Government Shutdown?
October 1 is long gone and still no FY 2000 federal budget. We could be headed
for yet another government shutdown. Read about what's happened before and could happen
again.
10/17/99 - The Federal Budget Process
Preparing and approving America's budget is one of the most important and
difficult jobs of the President and Congress. How does it all come together?
10/10/99 - Patients Rights Act of 1999
The right to sue your HMO? Could be, but there are major differences between
House and Senate versions of this controversial bill.
10/03/99 - Unclaimed Property: Finding it and
Claiming it
Approximately 26 million Americans are the rightful owners of over
$10 billion in unclaimed property. Some of it could be yours.
09/26/99 - Gun Control Timeline
Regulating the private sale and possession of firearms has been an issue since
the day the Bill of Rights was ratified. Consider this brief history of gun control in
America.
09/19/99 - Y2K and the 911 System
Let's hope we don't need it on the morning of 1/1/2000, but if we do, will the
911 system be working? The FCC has been working hard to make sure it will.
09/12/99 - Y2K Government Report Card
Your PC may be fine, but the Y2K readiness of these key Federal programs are what
you should be worried about. How are the doing?
09/05/99 - Waco, Reno, Quantico: FBI Profiles of
Extremists
Could the revelation of FBI use of pyrotechnic devices in the Branch Davidian
seige lead to violence? The FBI profiles antigovernment extremist groups.
08/29/99 - Food Stamps - A Clarification
Rapidly decreasing food stamp rolls means qualified households are facing hunger
rather than applying for benefits. See what the government is doing to help.
08/22/99 - Food Stamp Facts
Yes, there are people who abuse and defraud food stamp benefits, but this program
is one of our most important and successful public assistance programs.
08/15/99 - The Federal Reserve System
With Alan Greenspan at the helm, they chart the course of economy. Read about the
history, organization, and function of the Federal Reserve banking system.
08/08/99 - Surpluses, Tax Cuts and Debts
How much money is in this budget "surplus" and where did it come from?
What about the national debt and the big tax cut bill? Here are some explanations and
answers.
08/01/99 - Federal Assistance Basics: Part 2
Where do you find and find out about all those grants, loans, and other forms of
benefits? The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Yes, it's online.
07/25/99 - Federal Assistance Basics: Part 1
Over 1,300 programs offer assistance to State and local governments,
organizations, and individuals. What kinds of benefits and assistance are out there?
07/18/99 - Jobs at the CIA: Updated
The CIA offers many types of job opportunities, only one of which is
"Clandestine Services." The requirements are stringent, but the work is
fascinating.
07/11/99 - Separating Church and State
Why the First Amendment bans organized prayer in public schools and how Congress
often pushes that Constitutional line.
07/04/99 - Independence!
To celebrate July the 4th, something on which all Americans can agree.
06/27/99 - On the Second Amendment
It's not about gun control, you know? The 2nd Amendment plays a much more
important role in protecting our freedom.
06/20/99 - Telehealth: Advanced Health Care for
Rural America
The new Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) uses internet technologies
to extend healthcare services taken for granted by city dwellers to isolated Americans.
06/13/99 - Think Tanks
Born from a need for exotic strategies for military superiority, modern think
thanks produce more policy and propaganda than solutions.
06/07/99 - Gun Control Legislation
Could any of these proposed laws have prevented the tragic shooting at Columbine
High? Also, a look at two bills designed to protect the 2nd Amendment.
05/29/99 - Chinese Spying: The Cox Report
What secrets the People's Republic of China (PRC) steal and how did they steal
them? The Cox Report to Congress -- scary reading.
05/23/99 - "Free"dom of Information
Gov.search is a new government-operated search engine promising to be a one-stop
source for locating online government information. But, a stiff subscription fee may be
levied for using it.
05/17/99 - Government Web Tools
"Everything" is online! Which makes "anything" hard to find.
Here are some basic tools you'll find very handy for prospecting Federal Web Space.
05/07/99 - Yet Another Dollar Coin?
The Susan B. Anthony "quarter-like" dollar will be replaced in 2000 by
the Sacagawea dollar. It's a beautiful coin, but will American consumers and merchants use
it?
04/30/99 - Complaints? Turn 'Em In!
These US Government agencies are ready to listen to your consumer issues and take
action when necessary. Now, you can even complain online.
04/23/99 - Nuclear Waste: From Both Sides Now
A look at both the cons AND pros of transporting nuclear waste to the permanent
storage facilities.
04/08/99 - Nuclear Waste: Coming sooner to a cave
near you?
Congress is considering a bill that will require the transportation and storage
of highly radioactive nuclear waste 7 years sooner than under the original law. Best yet,
the stuff could be going right through your town.
03/26/99 - George Washington: Fact and Fancy
This December 14 marks the 200th Anniversary of the death of George Washington.
Since you'll be busy worrying over Y2K then, here are some interesting facts about
President 1.
03/14/99 - Grants Galore
From federal and private sources, billions in grants and aid are available. To
get some, you need a good idea, a plan and persistence.
02/28/99 - Taxes: Resources for '98-'99
New rules, tax forms, web-based filing, credit card payments, tax reform progress
and more.
02/19/99 - "We Shall Overcome!"
Join the National Park Service on a informational and pictorial tour of 42
historic sites from the Civil Rights movement. Celebrate Black History Month all February.
02/01/99 - Letters to Congress
After "Dear Senator:" what do you say? Find out how to write strong, effective
letters to elected officials.
01/22/99 - Bill Tracker
What's happening with that bill to save our forest, pave our street, or build our bridge?
Here are some simple tools for tracking bills through Congress.
01/08/99 - The Legislative Process
How Bills Become Laws - Thousands of bills and resolutions are generated by the US
Congress every year. Only a handful are enacted into law.