Articles Index
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.
How to Get a Copy of Your Birth Certificate
A birth certificate or a certified copy of an original birth certificate is becoming increasingly important as a required form of identification. Learn how to get a copy of your birth certificate.
Hoodia Claims are False Advertising, FTC Charges
Claims that taking hoodia will result in weight loss and treat obesity are false and deceptive, according to charges files against makers of hoodia products by the Federal Trade Commission.
Digital TV Transition will have Losers and Winners
When the nationwide switch to digital-only (DTV) TV transmission finally happens on June 12, many viewers using antennas and DTV converter boxes will be surprised and probably a little more than annoyed to find that they are unable to view some of the stations they could watch before the switch. To help identify the DTV transition winners and losers, the FCC has provided maps showing the DTV coverage area for every TV station in the nation.
A Guide to the Digital Television Transition
If you own an analog TV -- a TV that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service -- it will stop receiving signals from all full-power TV stations in the United States at midnight on June 12, 2009. Here's what you can do about it, and how the government can help.
About the U.S. Postal Service
About the United States Postal Service (USPS). Is it government agency or a private business? It's both.
About Time! Daylight Saving, That Is
About daylight saving time. Dates to set clocks and the history of daylight saving time.
Federal Court Deflates Tire Industry Secrecy Ploy
In a lawsuit stemming from the massive Firestone - Ford tire recall of 2000, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ruled that the U.S. tire industry cannot use the as a cloak of secrecy over Congressionally-required reports of potentially deadly tire defects.
Energy Bill Would Extend Daylight Savings Time
Love it or hate it, America's annual observance of daylight savings time would be extended an additional month under a provision of the massive Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Telemarketers to Pay $500,000 for Do Not Call Violations
For calling thousands of consumers who had placed their phone numbers on the FTC's Do Not Call Registry, two timeshare sellers and their telemarketer will pay more than $500,000 in civil penalties and will be hanging up... permanently.
The Truth About Cell Phones and Telemarketers
According to the FTC it never has been and is still not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the telemarketer-screening National Do Not Call Registry.
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.
About U.S. Government Auto Auctions
It's easy and economical to purchase a pre-owned vehicle from the U.S. government. Join the thousands of people who buy at government auto auctions.
Seized and Surplus Vehicle Auctions from U.S. Border Patrol
The U.S. Border Patrol is now auctioning off hundreds of seized and surplus cars and trucks at ten locations operated by it's San Antonio, Texas-based contractor, Robertson Auto Auctions.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
Americans are among the most voracious consumers in the world. They love to buy new stuff, from toys to furniture and electronics to sports equipment. But who makes sure that the toys kids play with aren't harmful? That the coolest new high-tech device won't overheat and catch fire? That the latest wonder cleaner doesn't have toxic fumes? The Consumer Product Safety Commission does.
Energy Star a Gold Star for the EPA
The EPA Energy Star label first began appearing on a few computer monitors back in 1992. Today the Energy Star -- a certification of money-saving energy efficiency and earth-saving environmental "greenness" -- can be found on over 50 different kinds of consumer products, including new homes and office buildings.
U.S. SAFE WEB Act Would Fight Biggest Internet Woes
If the length of its title is any indication of its power, S. 1608, the "Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act of 2005" (U.S. SAFE WEB Act) should solve all of our Internet problems.
FTC Warns of 'Check Overpayment' Scam
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns of a dangerous and growing swindle called the “check overpayment” scam, now the fifth most common telemarketing fraud and the fourth most common Internet scam reported.
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.
Jury Duty Scam Could Lead to Identity Theft
The FBI and U.S. Courts are warning consumers to be alert for an increasingly common -- and effective -- telephone-based identity theft threat known as "the jury duty scam."
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.
OMB Website Rates Performance of Federal Programs
Rather than simply paying our money and taking our chances, U.S. taxpayers now have a simple way of finding out which federal programs are working, which are not, and what they are doing to improve.
Best, Worst and Oddest Government Events of 2005
Most things our government does bring one of three responses: "That's great," or "That stinks," or simply "Huh?" I suspect that even in 1778, upon hearing that the Constitution had been completed, some brand new Americans -- probably anti-federalists -- said, "That stinks." Since your choice of response depends largely on your politics, I'm just going to throw these out there and let you decide if they were the best, worst, or just the oddest moments from U.S. government during 2005.
Security Tips to Speed Holiday Air Travel
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) urges holiday air travelers to bring plenty of patience to the airport and to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary delays at the security checkpoints.
2005 Bad Year for Consumer Safety, CPSC Reports
The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports setting several records in consumer product safety areas during fiscal 2005. Problem is, they were bad records.