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Entry bubble I Love Living in America Because...

By: Ginger | July 03, 2009 | Category: General

American flag hanging in front of an antique shopThere are things that we all wish were better with our country. Like you, I think I pay too much in taxes (I have yet to meet a person who thinks he doesn't pay enough). I get monumentally annoyed and disgusted when our political leaders get caught doing unethical things. I get frustrated with the red tape and the rigamarole that seems to accompany some of my interactions with the government, and I get angry when I hear my tax dollars are occasionally wasted on stupidity.

It would be easy to sit and gripe all day about our government, but tomorrow is July 4th, a day we celebrate all that is good with our country. Our founding fathers risked their lives to declare their independence. They created this country on some basic principles that hopefully we all believe in even today. Throughout our history people have served and sacrificed for our country to advance the ideas of freedom of speech, equality, and representation. These are rights that many people in other countries don't have or are struggling to obtain.

There are many reasons for all of us to be proud of our country. I would like to see us all set aside the sniping and griping for this one day and think about why we appreciate living in the United States. Please express your heart-felt birthday wishes by sending in a comment. How would you finish this thought, “I love living in America because...”

I will get us started: “I love living in America because I work for a government that allows me to write blogs that are totally my own (complete with embarrassing stories and quirky details. I have the freedom to express criticisms about my government and no one calls me a traitor, slaps handcuffs on me, or throws me in jail for doing so.”

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Entry bubble For the People

By: Jess | July 02, 2009 | Category: Fun

If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you probably know by now that we are all about sharing information with you through a variety of different channels. You can visit all of our many Web sites, USA.gov, GobiernoUSA.gov, Pueblo.gsa.gov, Consumeraction.gov and more. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

And every year we put out a public service campaign to tell you all about our services. We've recently released our newest television commercial and I wanted to share it with you. Our theme this year was a takeoff of "We are the World." So you can expect to see and hear some awesome singing by some very talented actors.

Check out both versions. The 60-second version is all about USA.gov and the great stuff you can find there, like applying for Social Security or renewing a passport or driver's license.

The 15-second commercial is all about 1-800-FED-INFO, the phone number you can call to get just about any government question answered.

If you're anything like me, you'll have the song stuck in your head for the rest of the day!

Update:

I got a comment asking for the direct links to our Facebook profiles so I've included all our social media links below!

USA.gov on Facebook

Pueblo.gsa.gov on Facebook

USA.gov on Twitter

GobiernoUSA.gov on Facebook

GobiernoUSA.gov on Twitter

Pueblo on Twitter

GovGab on Twitter

U.S. Government YouTube channel

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Entry bubble Jobs in Public Service

By: Colleen | July 01, 2009 | Category: Money

Do you know a recent graduate who is looking for a job? Or anyone else looking for work in this tough economy? Encourage them to helpwantedconsider public service!

On July 16, if you can make it to Washington, DC, checkout the annual Public Service Career and Internship Fair. Lasting from 3-7 p.m. at the National Building Museum, scope out our career and internship opportunities from 67 federal agencies. Participants can pre-register online to get full details about the event including directions and tips for putting your best foot forward.

Can't get to DC? USAjobs.gov is always available to search for job openings in the government.

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Entry bubble Cash for Your Used Car

By: Joanne | June 30, 2009 | Category: Money

Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) logoLast week President Obama signed the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 into law. The new Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program offers cash to people who own old, fuel inefficient cars to help them buy new, fuel efficient cars.

Sounds interesting? You bet. Who doesn’t want to spend less money on gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our dependency on oil and increase energy sustainability AND get a shiny new car in the deal?

How does it work? Now that it’s a law, program details are available. Here are some quick facts – visit cars.gov for more details.

  • The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500 depending on what you trade in and what you buy
  • Your car must be less than 25 years old
  • You must buy or lease a new car
  • Generally, your trade-in must get 18 or less miles per gallon (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
  • Your trade-in must be registered and insured continuously for the full year before the trade-in
  • You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
  • Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
  • The vehicle that you are trading in is required to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate with the dealer for your trade in is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in vehicle.

Watch out, I’ve already heard reports that fraudulent websites have popped up, pretending to offer information about the CARS program but they’re really phishing for your personal information. Stick with the official CARS website for official program information.

p.s. Don't forget to submit your Independence Day photos on the USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov Flickr Group

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Entry bubble Your Turn: Reduce and Reuse to Save Money

By: Tonya Beres | June 29, 2009 | Category: Money

Water Bottle Picture Our Monday blogger, Jake, has work duties that will take him away from Gov Gab until September. In his absence, we’re alternating between “Your Turn” weeks, where we’ll ask a question to spotlight your knowledge about government resources, and posts from guest bloggers across the government.

Today's Question:  With tight budgets and tough economic times, what little changes have you made to save money?  My family is refilling bike water bottles instead of buying bottled water.  It saves money and the environment. 

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