In The FTC Federal Trade Commission Budget Request and Overview Fiscal Year 2007 they have a new plan of attack, now they plan on setting up a website to engage consumers and educate them into being smarter online and not being duped into giving out personal information, opening malicious files or setting themselves up for identity theft. In their 2007 FY Budget Request they listed The "OnGuard Online" Consumer Education Campaign stating that:

The FTC, its law enforcement and nonprofit sector partners, and leading private technology companies launched the ground-breaking "On Guard Online" consumer education campaign to give consumers a one. stop resource for up-to-date and comprehensive tools and information about protecting themselves in the online marketplace.

Perhaps this is a new and improved method to rules and regulations as it makes the consumer responsible for their own actions and placing a little bit of buyer beware into the mix rather than trying to regulate morality for the most ignorant amongst the masses. Such an approach is worthy yet, as the FTC asks Congress for more money one has to ask; how much does it really cost to set up and maintain a website to help educate consumers? Not much and therefore we should not grant the FTC much of our taxpayers monies. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?