On average, federal agencies and departments issue nearly 8,000 regulations per year to implement statutes written by Congress. To help the American public understand how important it is to follow the growing volume of government regulations the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring a "Rulemaking Matters!" Video Contest with the grand prize being $2,500. To win one must submit by May 17 a video that best explains why federal regulations are good and how ordinary citizens can become more involved in making regulations. The videos must be posted on YouTube and can be no more than 60-90 seconds in length. The contest rules require that each video include the slogan “Let your voice be heard,” and it must direct viewers to the government’s regulatory website www.Regulations.gov. The winning video will then be used by the entire federal government to promote the regulatory process and enhance the public’s participation in it. And, the EPA is managing the contest on behalf of the entire United States government. The winning video will be announced by EPA in June 2010.
The following points appeared in press releases issued by the EPA:
"Almost every aspect of an individual’s life is touched by federal regulations, but many do not understand how rules are made or how they can get involved in the process.”
“Federal agencies write laws called regulations or rules,” the contest’s information guidelines states. “When Congress writes a statute and the President signs it, it usually doesn’t have enough detail for it to be put into effect. So, federal agencies fill in the details by issuing regulations.”"The videos must also remind viewers that regulations are the law and that they actually outnumber laws passed by Congress on the order of 10-1."
“Regulations have the power of law. Breaking them can result in fines and even jail time. Regulations outnumber Congressional statutes. For every statute passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, federal agencies create about 10 regulations, each of which have the force of law.”
"Regulations have a direct impact on your life and the life of every American citizen.”
“The price of the coffee you drink in the morning is affected by regulations written by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The television shows you watch are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. The quality of the air you breathe is affected by regulations written by the Environmental Protection Agency.”
“The overall message should promote greater awareness of Federal rulemaking, motivate others to participate, and perhaps, even change the common perception of Federal rulemaking.”
Editor's Note: Does any other freedom loving citizen of the United States of America see something wrong with the EPA spending our Federal Tax Dollars on a contest to create propaganda videos? And, furthermore, that the EPA is managing the contest on behalf of the entire United States government?