Vampire Power! (sucks)

Vampire power is essentially when plugged-in appliances in your home use "stand by" power while they are not being used.  This occurs because many appliances do not actually go all the way off -- such as internal clock devices, cell phone chargers, TVs, DVD players, power adaptors, or anything with remotes.  Vampire power's implications essentially mean a drain on power and money -- that is, electricity is constantly "leaking" throughout your home, and it accounts for roughly 5% of your electric bill.  Suggestions to remedy vampire power seem to emphasize simply unplugging objects like chargers when they are not in use.  Of course, this may not be practical -- it would be a little ridiculous unplugging the TV after every time you use it.  It seems that in recent years efforts have been made to lower the amount of watts used in devices with standby power.

Federal Programs

I'm not sure I'm a proponent of completely cutting any federal program without coming up with a working solution that could solve that program's problems.  However, I would approve of making drug testing to be mandatory for receiving Medicaid and welfare benefits, or any other federal assistance program.  I certainly do not believe that everyone abuses these programs, but drugs are more prevalent in the lower income population and so I feel it would be an intelligent decision to drug test recipients.  Otherwise, who knows how many tax dollars are helping fund habitual drug users.

I'm fine with enhancing programs that support the environment.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency is all in my favor.  As far as I'm concerned, any efforts toward conserving, preserving, and protecting our natural resources and species should be top priority.  Otherwise, we will have a whole seperate crisis on our hands in future generations.  The environment affects the entire world, not merely the US.