Strike The Root

There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.

  Federal Register Watch

by Mike Powers

December 30, 2002 - January 3, 2003

 What freedoms have you lost this week?

The Federal Register is the official daily publication for Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential Documents.  This column attempts to summarize the highlights (or lowlights) of the Federal Register during the preceding week.  

Instructions for subscribing to the Federal Register can be found at the end of the column.

DECEMBER 30, 2002 :

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – Universal Service ‘Contribution’ Increase for Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (And Cell Phone Users)

The FCC adopts several interim modifications to the existing federal universal service contribution system.  The changes include a 90% INCREASE in the amount that wireless carriers are required to pay into the Universal Service Fund (USF). 

After April 1, 2003 , many wireless users will see their USF line item nearly double.  That’s right.  The entire cost of the government’s latest tax increase will be passed on to you, the customer.

The goal of Universal Service, mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, was to promote the availability of phone services to every American at affordable rates.  Yet, nearly 95% of U.S. residents already had telephone service when the plan was enacted.  The fund is primarily used to subsidize rural and low-income users, at the expense of urban customers and business users who are forced to absorb the additional costs.

Perversely, universal service subsidies discourage the deployment of new technologies, as market interests are less likely to invest and innovate when competing with subsidized technology. 

The FCC refers to the telecommunications providers as ‘contributors’ to the fund, although it is doubtful they have little choice but to pay the mandated fees.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-32925.htm  

DECEMBER 31, 2002 :

Department of Health and Human Services – Medicare Program - Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for 2003

A simple glance at this enormous, incomprehensible document reveals why state-run health care systems are expensive, inefficient, and incompetent.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-32503.htm  

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Extension of Federal Aviation Insurance for Commercial Air Carriers

This notice provides a sixty-day extension of the provision that gives domestic air carriers third party war-risk liability insurance with the FAA.

In other words, taxpayers are liable for the costs of any terrorist attack on domestic or international flights by U.S.-based carriers.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-33013.htm  

Internal Revenue Service – Regulations to Limit Defenses for Accuracy-Related Penalties

By limiting the taxpayer’s ability to use an opinion or advice from a tax professional as a basis for defense, these rules are intended to promote the disclosure of reportable transactions.

More income-stealing regulations from America ’s premier terrorist group, the IRS.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-32927.htm  

International Trade Administration – Steel Import Licensing

This rule requires all importers of steel products to obtain a license from the Department of Commerce prior to completing their customs import summary documentation.  The information collected will be used as the basis of the administration’s “surge monitoring program” designed to prevent against excessive “dumping” of foreign steel into U.S. markets.

A shameless Bush administration power grab designed to protect inefficient domestic steel businesses, at the expense of consumers. 

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-32745.htm  

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Office – $15 Million in Grants Available for Drug Prevention

Approximately 150 grants of $100,000 each are available for the FY2003 Drug Free Communities Support Program to reduce substance abuse among youth.  Applications are now being accepted!

Bureaucrats love giving away money that does not belong to them.  It makes them feel powerful.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-33008.htm  

JANUARY 2, 2003 :

National Council on Disability (NCD) – Cultural Adversity Advisory Committee Meeting

The purpose of the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to NCD on issues affecting people with disabilities from culturally diverse backgrounds.  

If you are disabled and a minority, it’s like hitting the politically correct jackpot!

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/02-33086.htm 

JANUARY 3, 2003 :

Immigration and Naturalization Service – Arrival and Departure Manifest Reporting

This rule requires the electronic submission of arrival and departure manifests in advance of an aircraft or vessel’s arrival in or departure from the United States .  The rule also proposes to require manifest data on certain passengers and voyages previously exempt from this requirement.

You can never stray far from the roving eyes of the Nanny State .  

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/02-33145.htm

International Trade Administration – Antidumping Duty Results – Raw Pistachios From Iran

The Department of Commerce determined in their anti-dumping investigation that the Tehran Negah Nimah Trading Company of Iran has been selling their pistachios in the American market at “less than fair value.”  As a result, the Department will assess undetermined duties against the importer.  

Obviously, the petitioners in the case, the California Pistachio Commission and the Western Pistachio Commission, were pleased with the outcome.  Consumers, on the other hand, will suffer.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-76.htm 

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