There is no shortage of government agencies that fritter away hard-earned tax dollars by imposing hostile rules and regulations on businesses and individuals. But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has practically cornered the market on invasiveness and inefficiency.
Identity Crisis at the USPS
On Wednesday, April 7, 2015, the United States Postal Service (USPS) unveiled its newest postage stamp, a commemorative tribute to the renowned and beloved poet and writer, Maya Angelou. The celebration attracted First Lady Michelle Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Oprah Winfrey, who is an Angelou mega-fan. Unfortunately, within hours of the stamp’s launch, it was revealed that the quote printed on the stamp was not written by Maya Angelou, but by another writer, Joan Walsh Anglund.
A Budget Reconciliation Primer: No Peaches & Herb
The term “reconciliation” tends to evoke feelings of rapprochement and reunion. But unlike Peaches & Herb’s 1979 chart-topping hit, “Reunited (and it Feels So Good),” reconciliation has no romantic meaning when it pertains to the Federal budget.
End the Pentagon Slush Fund
Created in 2001 to fund the war in Afghanistan and other associated costs of the Global War on Terror, the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account was intended to be a one-time emergency supplemental. Instead, it has been used as an annual funding measure, including in 2003, when the U.S. invaded Iraq.
CO-OPs: Another ObamaCare Catastrophe
On March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as ObamaCare, was signed into law. By the end of 2013, millions of Americans had lost the healthcare plan they liked and were forced to accept health insurance plans with mandated benefits they did not need or want. Their premiums increased by an average of 49 percent from 2013 to 2014. In November 2014, the Obama administration released data that showed premium rates would go up again in 2015, by as much as 20 percent, for those purchasing insurance under ObamaCare unless they switched plans.
Providing Relief from Internet Taxes
On July 15, 2014, the House of Representatives passed the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act, which would have made the moratorium on taxes for Internet access permanent. Unfortunately, because of legislative wrangling in the Senate, the bill failed to become law.
Senator Reid Out, Yucca Mountain In?
On March 27, 2015, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced that he will not seek reelection in 2016. Supporters of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository hope that the exit of one of its most powerful opponents will breathe new life into the long-stalled project.
Gold, Silver, Bronze (oh, Platinum too)
In years past, when people heard the terms Gold, Silver, Bronze, they thought about the Olympic medals. Now, they likely think of ObamaCare with its metallic collection of expensive healthcare plans of Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
340B Drug Discount Program Finally Gets a Congressional Hearing
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health holds first hearing on the 340B drug discount program since 2005.
Time to Reform FCC’s Designated Entity Program
There is a problem when a large business is able to use a federal program designed to help small and minority-owned businesses in order to obtain discounts from the government.