Recognizing regulations and the impact of the Federal ...



“You are part of the Bureaucracy”

Recognizing regulations and the impact of the Federal Bureaucracy.

Your task is to keep a log of your activities with the purpose of recognizing the impact that government regulation has on your daily life. Keep a log of what you do, then note what and how specific regulatory agencies impact your life. Only track federal regulations because if you include state and local regulations, the list might become endless.

Here are examples of things to track. But keep in mind, I want you to create your own:

a) Student wakes up to a radio alarm clock. Radio stations are regulated by the FCC. (Federal Communication Commission)

b) Student makes their bed at home. The materials used for your blanket, mattress, or both may be flame resistant due to government regulations from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

c) Student gets into a car, a bus or a train/subway to go to school, work, or to visit a friend. There are many regulations here such as catalytic converters to protect the air monitored by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the emergency exits on the bus regulated by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, or the subway and commuter rail, all have hand railings in the cars as regulated by the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA)

d) Student goes to a McDonald's to purchase a sausage biscuit with cheese. The pork in the sausage and the bacteria count in the cheese would be inspected by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration.)

etc.

*Your list should have at least TEN things as part of your daily routine.

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Just some of the regulatory agencies:

The Interstate Commerce Commission (1887): regulates and fixes rates for railroads, trucking companies, business, and other agencies of ground transport.

The Federal Trade Commission (1914): regulates practices involving unfair competition, price fixing, deceptive advertising, false packaging, and others.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission formerly The Federal Power Commission (1930): regulates electric utilities, natural gas companies, and hydroelectric projects.

The Federal Communications Commission (1934): licenses and regulates broadcast and cable television and radio stations; regulates frequencies used by police, aviation, taxicabs, and other operators; grants cellular and wireless licenses.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (1934): regulates securities investing and information; regulates stock exchanges; registers brokers.

The Forest Service (1891) administers the nation's national forests.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (1807) focuses on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts seas and skies, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research to improve understanding and stewardship of the environment. This includes the National Weather Service, the National Ocean Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service.

Office of Federal Student Aid (1983) plays a central and essential role in America's postsecondary education community including the administration of the FAFSA form.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (1969), also known as "the Nation's Report Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Since 1969, assessments have been conducted periodically in reading, mathematics, science, writing, U.S. history, civics, geography, and the arts.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (1977) has jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas pricing, and oil pipeline rates. FERC also reviews and authorizes liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, interstate natural gas pipelines and non-federal hydropower projects.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1946) protects the public health and safety of people; the CDC focuses national attention on developing and applying disease prevention and control (especially infectious diseases), environmental health, health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

The Food and Drug Administration (1862) regulates food (humans and animal), dietary supplements, drugs (human and animal), cosmetics, medical devices (human and animal) and radiation emitting devices (including non-medical devices), biologics, and blood products in the United States.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (1970) is federal police service tasked with enforcing the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Not only is the DEA the lead agency for domestic enforcement of federal drug laws (sharing concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation), it also has sole responsibility for coordinating and pursuing U.S. drug investigations abroad.

The Employment Standards Administration (1913), enforces and administers laws governing legally-mandated wages and working conditions, including child labor, minimum wages, overtime and family and medical leave; equal employment opportunity in businesses with federal contracts and subcontracts; workers' compensation for certain employees injured on their jobs; internal union democracy and financial integrity, and union elections, which protect the rights of union members; and other laws and regulations governing employment standards and practices.

For a complete list (and an organization by executive department):

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