I see so much potential here for small-government creatives who have access to a camera and even minor video editing software:
President Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging the public to create video advertisements that explain why federal regulations are “important to everyone.”
The contest, which ends May 17, will award $2,500 to the makers of the 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.
In the current contest, each video must 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. …
As explained in the EPA press release announcing the contest, the purpose of the videos will be to remind the public that federal regulation touches “almost every aspect†of their lives and to promote how important those regulations are.
“The contest will highlight the significance of federal regulations and help the public understand the rulemaking process. Federal agencies develop and issue hundreds of rules and regulations every year to implement statutes written by Congress. 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.â€
The videos should be designed to “capture the public imagination†and to “explain†why government regulations are “important to everyone.â€
“With a short 60 to 90 second video, citizens should capture public imagination and use creativity, artistic expression and innovation to explain why regulations are important to everyone, and motivate others to participate in the rulemaking process.†…
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.
The contest is being run by Lisa Jackson who New Jersey readers might remember is the former DEP leader who cancelled the bear hunt, in part, because she thought bears were too “cute.” Yeah, this good government spending.
“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.”
This is why I’d like to see the following amendment to the Constitution:
“No regulation enacted by the executive branch shall carry the force of law.”
I’m not sure where the power to enact regulations comes from. The only thing I see is Article 2, Section 3: “he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed”. But, then, IANACL.
(Not to mention that I’ve completely ignored the main point of this post. ;-)
Regulation is interpreted as part of the executive power. Regulations are supposed to be implementation of law, but the Courts have let Congress go way too far with delegating its power, if you ask me. You’ll never get rid of regulation, because some of it is appropriate, but it has gone way way too far.
An inventive FFL could have a lot of fun with this project.
Sounds like an audition for propaganda personnel.
If I weren’t so lazy, I could have a LOT of fun with this, even while keeping strictly to their script.
I mean, holy crap, the statement that “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†should be enough to get folks riled up. I can’t believe they’re citing this as a feature, and not a bug.
I know, that’s why I thought it was so funny. :) Someone could do a libertarian-themed video that would horrify voters that could pass the objective requirements.
I actually think it would be funny for a few think tanks to get together and ask for everyone to do dual submissions, and they’ll award the best small-government-themed video a matching prize.