1. Regulatory Commissions
Interstate Commerce Commission (I.C.C.) 1887 – was the 1st regulatory commission and was established to regulate railroads
*Set Routes;
Set Rates;
Set Wages;
Set Safety Standards.

2. St. Lawrence Seaway – created in 1959 – by Canada and the U. S
St. Lawrence Seaway – created in 1959 – by Canada and the U.S. – with the major by-product of “electricity”
National Traffic Safety Commission – to regulate traffic on the nation’s highways – it has established the safety standards of the “seatbelt” and the “air-bag”

3. The Federal Aviation Agency (F. A. A
The Federal Aviation Agency (F.A.A.) – regulate the nation’s air traffic
Basic Jobs:
Set safety standards;
Control the nation’s air traffic
They control civilian, not military, aircraft
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (N.A.S.A.) controls the U.S. space programs (Space Shuttle)

4. Federal Communications Commission (F. C. C
Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) – regulate the nation’s public airways (broadcasting)
*License stations;
Set frequencies;
Censor material;
Fire employees who refuse to follow the guidelines set by the F.C.C.

5. Political Broadcasting – if you “give” airtime to one candidate, you must offer the same – equal – time to all candidate “for that office”
COMSAT- Communications Satellite Corporation – no longer government owned

6. Nuclear Regulatory Commission – (N.R.C.)
Controls peaceful uses of nuclear power;
Controls nuclear material for military.
Federal Energy Conservation Commission – this commission pays private individuals for their production of “energy” (electricity)

7. How do regulatory commissions change our lives?
*Prices may go up;
Taxes may go up;
Material may be censored.
Why are regulatory commissions not fully independent? Money and Politics!

8. U.S. Postal System – 1792
Ben Franklin was an early colonial postmaster who is credited with laying the foundations for the postal system
*1st Class – Fastest – letters;
2nd Class – Not as fast – newspapers and magazines;
3rd Class – “Junkmail” – advertisements;
4th Class – Slowest – large packages.

9. Prohibited articles in the “regular” mail service:
*Explosives;
Drugs;
Alcoholic Beverages;
Live Animals;
Firearms.

10. Tennessee Valley Authority (T.V.A) – 1933
Major Accomplishments:
Production of electricity;
Increase in the standard of living.
Think Tanks
RAND Corporation – the major customer of the Rand Corporation is the Defense Department

11. Basic jobs of the Rand Corporation:
Set war strategies;
Advise on the types of military aircraft this nation needs.
Mitre Corporation – works closely with the federal government in the field of electronics

12. The Environmental Protection Agency – E. P. A
The Environmental Protection Agency – E.P.A. – regulatory commission that tries to improve the quality of our air and water supplies
The Drug Enforcement Administration – D.E.A. – works to stop the transportation of illegal drugs and narcotics
The U.S. Forest Service – deals with the cutting of timber on federal lands

13. Food Safety and Quality Service – establishes the grade and quality of meats, fruits, and vegetables
Occupational Safety and Health Administration – O.S.H.A. – investigates on the job accidents and safety requirements in the work place

14. Patents – exclusive right given by the government to an invention
Trademark – exclusive right given by the government to a “symbol”
Copyright – exclusive right given by the government to a literary work
Patent and Trademark Office – Protects rights of inventors and artists in above