Ben Nasta
United States
Member Since 3.2.2009
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    Congress scolds food makers on safety lapse
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    from%20reuters.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20Reuters%20--%20%20Congress%20is%20going%20after%20U.S.%20firms%20who%20purchased%20tainted%20peanut%20products%20for%20failing%20to%20check%20that%20the%20products%20were%20safe.%20Companies%20like%20Kellogg%20Co.%20and%20King%20Nut%20Corp%20defended%20their%20purchases%2C%20saying%20that%20it%20is%20industry%20standard%20to%20use%20third-party%20firms%20for%20safety%20checks.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20U.S.%20food%20industry%20has%20been%20shaken%20by%20a%20salmonella%20outbreak%20tied%20to%20peanut%20products%20that%20led%20to%20the%20recall%20of%20more%20than%203%2C400%20products%2C%20from%20crackers%20to%20ice%20cream.%20It%20was%20the%20largest%20food%20recall%20in%20U.S.%20history.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Farticle%2FhealthNews%2FidUSTRE52J3R020090320%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3BCongress%20scolds%20food%20makers%20on%20safety%20lapse%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    State, Local Watchdogs to Keep Eye on Stimulus Spending
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    from%20cnn.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20CNN.com%20--%20%20Public%20anger%20over%20AIG%20bonuses%20and%20government%20bailouts%20is%20putting%20pressure%20on%20state%20and%20local%20officials%20to%20be%20extra%20vigilant%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20tracking%20stimulus%20money.%20States%20stand%20to%20gain%20around%20%24200%20billion%20for%20a%20list%20of%20%20items%2C%20including%20Medicaid%20funds%2C%20expanding%20unemployment%20benefits%2C%20rebuilding%20infrastructure%20and%20shoring%20up%20state%20budgets.%3Cbr%20%2F%3E%0A%3Cblockquote%3E%26%23147%3B%26nbsp%3BIf%20we%20don%27t%20get%20this%20right%2C%20folks%2C%20this%20is%20the%20end%20of%20the%20opportunity%20to%20convince%20the%20Congress%20that%20anything%20should%20go%20to%20the%20states.%26nbsp%3B%26%23148%3B%3C%2Fblockquote%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2009%2FPOLITICS%2F03%2F19%2Fstimulus.watchdogs%2F%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3B%20State%20Local%20Watchdogs%20to%20Keep%20Eye%20on%20Stimulus%20Spending%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    Stimulus Watchdog Warns of Challenges in Tracking Funds
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    from%20voices.washingtonpost.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20Washington%20Post%20--%20%20The%20chief%20governmental%20officer%20in%20charge%20of%20tracking%20stimulus%20funds%20warned%20Congress%20today%20that%20his%20efforts%20to%20track%20the%20money%20could%20be%20hindered%20by%20the%20federal%20government%27s%20historic%20inability%20to%20compile%20and%20transmit%20reliable%20data.%3Cbr%20%2F%3E%0A%3Cblockquote%3E%26%23147%3B%26nbsp%3BAdd%20to%20that%20problem%20the%20difficulty%20of%20transmitting%20and%20reporting%20data%20up%20through%20multiple%20layers%20of%20government%20...%20and%20you%20begin%20to%20understand%20the%20basis%20for%20my%20concern.%26nbsp%3B%26%23148%3B%3C%2Fblockquote%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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  • USDA To See Farmers' Tax Records
    Submitted 7 months ago By bnasta
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    USDA To See Farmers' Tax Records
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    from%20archives.chicagotribune.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20Chicago%20Tribune%20--%20%20The%20Department%20of%20Agriculture%20will%20start%20checking%20farmer%27s%20tax%20returns%20to%20eliminate%20subsidy%20recipients%20who%20exceed%20income%20limits.%20Last%20year%2C%20the%20Government%20Accountability%20Office%20found%202%2C700%20people%20who%20collected%20%2449%20million%20in%20payments%20that%20apparently%20violated%20income%20limits.%3Cbr%20%2F%3E%0A%3Cblockquote%3E%26%23147%3B%26nbsp%3BAgriculture%20Secretary%20Tom%20Vilsack%20announced%20Thursday%20that%20his%20department%20will%20now%20work%20with%20the%20IRS%20to%20verify%20the%20incomes%20of%20subsidy%20recipients.%20Those%20receiving%20government%20farm%20payments%20will%20be%20required%20to%20sign%20a%20separate%20form%20that%20will%20give%20the%20Agriculture%20Department%20access%20to%20IRS%20information%20about%20their%20income.%26nbsp%3B%26%23148%3B%3C%2Fblockquote%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Farchives.chicagotribune.com%2F2009%2Fmar%2F20%2Fbusiness%2Fchi-ap-ia-farmerstaxrecords%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3BUSDA%20To%20See%20Farmers%5C%26%23039%3B%20Tax%20Records%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    Obama Announces Guidelines to Limit Lobbyists' Influence on Stimulus Effort
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    from%20washingtonpost.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20Washington%20Post%20--%20%20President%20Obama%20has%20announced%20increased%20restrictions%20on%20lobbyists%20access%20to%20stimulus%20money%20in%20an%20effort%20to%20make%20sure%20all%20%24787%20billion%20are%20spent%20responsibly.%20One%20example%20of%20this%20is%20that%20all%20lobbyists%20who%20wish%20to%20speak%20with%20the%20administration%20about%20an%20issue%20will%20have%20their%20proposals%20posted%20online.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22In%20implementing%20the%20Recovery%20Act%2C%20Obama%20said%2C%20he%20is%20issuing%20a%20directive%20today%20that%20guides%20federal%20agencies%20on%20%22what%20does%20and%20what%20does%20not%20constitute%20an%20acceptable%20use%20of%20taxpayer%20money.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fwp-dyn%2Fcontent%2Farticle%2F2009%2F03%2F20%2FAR2009032001682.html%3Fhpid%3Dtopnews%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3BObama%20Announces%20Guidelines%20to%20Limit%20Lobbyists%5C%26%23039%3B%20Influence%20on%20Stimulus%20Effort%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    Auditor Warns: Some Stimulus Waste is Inevitable
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    from%20foxnews.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20Fox%20News%20--%20%20The%20chief%20auditor%20overseeing%20spending%20of%20%24787%20billion%20in%20stimulus%20money%20said%20that%20some%20fraud%20and%20waste%20is%20inevitable.%20He%20said%20the%20problem%20of%20waste%20would%20be%20aggravated%20by%20a%20lack%20of%20trained%20federal%20employees%20to%20watch%20over%20how%20the%20money%20is%20spent.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Rep.%20Dan%20Burton%2C%20R-Ind.%2C%20said%20the%20industry%20standard%20level%20of%20fraud%20is%207%20percent%2C%20and%20that%20would%20equate%20to%20about%20%2455%20billion%20in%20stimulus%20dollars%20wasted.%20Noting%20the%20outcry%20over%20%24165%20million%20in%20%3Ca%20rel%3D%22externals%22%3Eemployee%3C%2Fa%3E%20bonuses%20at%20bailed-out%20insurance%20giant%20AIG%2C%20Burton%20said%20%2455%20billion%20in%20stimulus%20waste%20and%20fraud%20would%20prompt%20the%20American%20people%20to%20%22march%20on%20the%20Capitol.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fwires%2F2009Mar19%2F0%2C4670%2CStimulusWatchdog%2C00.html%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3BAuditor%20Warns%20Some%20Stimulus%20Waste%20is%20Inevitable%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    Obama to states: Spend stimulus wisely _ or else
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    from%20seattletimes.nwsource.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20The%20Seattle%20Times%20--%20%20President%20Barack%20Obama%20rallied%20the%20people%20he%20is%20counting%20on%20to%20help%20turn%20around%20the%20economy%20and%20warned%20that%20he%20will%20not%20tolerate%20wasteful%20spending%20of%20his%20%24787%20billion%20economic%20stimulus%20package.%20Vice%20President%20Joe%20Biden%2C%20who%20is%20coordinating%20oversight%20of%20stimulus%20spending%2C%20opened%20the%20conference%20with%20a%20stern%20warning%20about%20what%20would%20happen%20if%20money%20was%20misspent.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fseattletimes.nwsource.com%2Fhtml%2Fpolitics%2F2008820634_apobamastimulus.html%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3BObama%20to%20states%20Spend%20stimulus%20wisely%20_%20or%20else%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    GAO: Energy Faces Problems With Stimulus Billions
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    from%20fcw.com
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20FederalComputerWeek%20--%20%20The%20Government%20Accountability%20Office%20%28GAO%29%20says%20the%20Department%20of%20Energy%20may%20not%20be%20equipped%20to%20handle%20the%20almost%20%2412%20billion%20it%20will%20receive%20for%20three%20science%20and%20technology%20programs.%20The%20GAO%20says%20recent%20reviews%20show%20shortcomings%20in%20those%20programs%26rsquo%3B%20management%20and%20internal%20control%20capabilities%20that%20may%20create%20problems%20in%20accountability.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22For%20example%2C%20in%20July%202008%20GAO%20reported%20that%20Energy%20was%20not%20well-positioned%20to%20manage%20the%20innovative%20technology%20loan%20program%20effectively%20because%20it%20had%20not%20completed%20a%20number%20of%20key%20management%20and%20internal%20control%20activities.%20That%20loan%20program%20is%20slated%20to%20receive%20the%20%246%20billion%20to%20support%20%2460%20billion%20in%20new%20loan%20guarantees.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Ffcw.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F03%2F20%2Fenergy-department-faces-challenges-with-stimulus-dollars.aspx%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3BGAO%20Energy%20Faces%20Problems%20With%20Stimulus%20Billions%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    Fraud, Abuse Contributed to 44% Increase in Medicare Spending on Home Health Services Over Five Years
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    from%20kaisernetwork.org
    %3Cp%3EFrom%20KaiserNetwork.org%20--%20%20Fraud%20and%20abuse%20by%20some%20home%20health%20care%20providers%20contributed%20to%20a%2044%25%20rise%20in%20Medicare%20spending%20on%20home%20health%20care%20services%20over%20five%20years%2C%20according%20to%20a%20Government%20Accountability%20Office%20report.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
    %3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kaisernetwork.org%2Fdaily_reports%2Frep_index.cfm%3FDR_ID%3D57473%22%20rel%3D%22externals%22%20onclick%3D%22var%20s%3Ds_gi%28s_account%29%3Bvar%20t_title%3D%26quot%3BFraud%20Abuse%20Contributed%20to%2044%25%20Increase%20in%20Medicare%20Spending%20on%20Home%20Health%20Services%20Over%20Five%20Years%26quot%3B%3Bs.products%3D%26quot%3B%3B%26quot%3B%2Bt_title%3Bs.events%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackVars%3D%26quot%3Bproducts%2Cevents%26quot%3B%3Bs.linkTrackEvents%3D%26quot%3Bevent5%26quot%3B%3Bs.tl%28this%2C%26quot%3Be%26quot%3B%2Ct_title%29%22%3EFull%20Article%20%3C%2Fa%3E
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    GAO cites fraud in Medicare in-home services billings
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