Articles Index

About Time! Daylight Saving, That Is

About daylight saving time. Dates to set clocks and the history of daylight saving time.

Truth About Cell Phones and the Do Not Call Registry

If you’ve received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database, rest assured that this is not the case.

Postal Regulators Challenge Post Office Closure List

The US Postal Regulatory Commission has issued an opinion finding the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to close more than 3,600 post offices was based on questionable data.

The Postal Reform Act of 2011

U.S. Sen. John McCain has introduced the Postal Reform Act of 2011, intended to save the cash strapped U.S. Postal Service. What does the bill do, and what does it not do?

The Federal Tax ID or EIN 'Phishing' Scam

An email claiming to be from the IRS offering to help you get a n IRS Employer Identification Number, or EIN is really a dangerous identity theft “phishing” scam.

Identity Theft Prevention and Recovery Resources

The U.S. government, through the Federal Trade Commission has developed a slate of resources to help consumers prevent and recover from identity theft.

FDA Wants Consumers to Truly Get the 'Whole Grain'

Hundreds of products on supermarket shelves tout their wholesome quality as being "whole grain." Are they, really? Some are not, and to help consumers make knowledgeable dietary choices, the FDA has issued a "guidance" to food manufacturers on exactly what products labeled "whole grain" may and may not include.

Even Obama Wants to End Saturday Mail

Find out why President Barack Obama supports the end of Saturday mail. See how much money reducing mail delivery by one day could save the Postal Service. Discover when weekend mail delivery could end.

Can You Deliver Mail Yourself In a Postal Service Shutdown?

Find out why the government won't let you deliver the mail yourself even if there's a Postal Service Shutdown. Learn about the regulations that govern the use of your own personal mailbox. Read a history of the tough regulations that lead to a mailbox monopoly. Discover the penalties for dropping mail in someone else's mailbox without postage.

Door to Door Postal Services Might Be a Thing of the Past

Find out why door to door postal service might become a thing of the past. See how the U.S. Postal Service would deliver your mail instead of bringing it right to your doorstep. Discover how much the cash-strapped agency could save by getting mail to customers other ways. Read a history of doorstep mail service.

The Food and Drug Administration

There is little else in life we need to be more certain about than the things we place in our bodies: the food that sustains us, the food of the animals we consume, the drugs that heal us, and the medical devices that prolong and improve our lives. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is the agency that ensures the safety of the things that keep us going.

FDA's Food Safety Program Gets Real Teeth

How the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010 (FSMA) adds real enforcement “teeth” to the FDA’s food safety program.

Does the Postal Service Really Pay Workers to Do Nothing?

Find out why the Postal Service pays people to sit around and do nothing. Read a description of the Postal Service Standby Time policy. See how much the agency is spending on wages for employees who aren't actually working.

Mail Might Take Longer to Get There

Find out why the Postal Service might slow down delivery of First Class Mail, Priority Mail and other services. See how much money relaxing delivery standards could save the beleaguered agency. Learn about other cost-saving measures adopted buy the agency.

Startup Visa Rules Change

Find out what a startup visa is and who is eligible. See how the program was changes in 2011 to help improve the U.S. economy. Learn about the different types of visas for foreign entrepreneurs and investors.

The Postal Service Debt Ceiling

Find out how much the U.S. Postal Service Debt Ceiling is. See how much the agency is permitted to borrow every year. Learn when the postal service will hit its debt limit. Discover what the beleaguered agency is prepared to do.

Postal Service Losses By Year

Find out how much money the U.S. Postal Service has lost by year. See what the agency is going to save money. Learn about the history of its financial problems.

5 Signs You're a Victim of Cramming

Find out how to spot cramming on your phone bill. See examples of unauthorized charges for mysterious and often non-existent services. Learn what to do if you are a victim of this illegal practice.

Mail Delivery Just Three Days a Week?

Find out whether the Postal Service is really considering reducing mail delivery to just three days a week. See what the future holds for the beleaguered agency. Learn why postal executives are talking about service cutbacks.

Lawmakers Find Amtrak Must Change to Survive

That’s no way to run a railroad, says the U.S. Congress’ Amtrak Working Group (AWG), in finding that mismanagement within Amtrak has lead to a lack of confidence by the public and unpredictable funding from Congress.

Postal Service Ends Bonuses for Top Executives

Find out why the Postal Service canceled bonuses for top executives in 2011. Discover how much the cash-strapped agency is saving from the move. Learn about other steps postal officials are taking to return the agency to profitability. Read criticism of agency spending and cost cutting proposals.

Why Your Laser Pointer Could Cost You 11 Grand

Find out how much the fines are for aiming a laser pointer at an airplane. See why the devices are more than just nuisances to public safety. Learn about efforts to crack down on what authorities say is a prank that threatens the safety of passengers and pilots.

How Credit Rating Downgrade for U.S. Would Affect Consumers

Find out why the high credit rating for the United States could be downgraded. See how a credit rating downgrade for the United States would affect businesses and consumers. Read an explanation of why the credit rating outlook is negative instead of stable.

FDA to Regulate Electronic Cigarettes as Tobacco

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated it will regulate smokeless electronic cigarettes, or "e-cigarettes," the same way it regulates tobacco products after a federal court ruled the Agency could not regulate them as a drug.

How to Apply for a US Passport

Getting a US passport can be simple or it can be crash course in bureaucracy. You want simple. Best advice? Learn the rules, assemble everything you need before you apply for your passport and apply at least 6 weeks before your trip.