Fire in the Wind

**Updates added January 9th 2009 12:45pm.**

I'm sure the phrase: "Think of the children" was said more than once during the push to have the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act passed through congress.

Whenever I here that something should be done "for the children" I usually brace myself for painful amounts of ignorance and calls for more unnecessary government intervention into our lives.

But after hearing about this Act and how it is likely to affect millions of families and thousands of small businesses, I am saying to myself, "Think of the children..."

Think of the children who will not be properly clothed because their parents can't afford new winter coats for them and the local second-hand stores cannot sell children's clothes.

Think of the children of the small business owners who will be forced out of business.

Think of the children with special needs (such as the blind and deaf) whose parents can't buy specialty products for them because most businesses can't afford to make them anymore.

Think of the children whose local libraries cannot afford to test every book meant for children and therefore cannot loan out children's books. (I'm not lying, see link below)

Yes, folks.  That is what happens when the government "thinks of the children"  Irrational, over sweeping laws that will have a huge negative impact on our already fragile economy. 

This is a very important issue that needs to be addressed immediately before February 10th (which has been deemed National Bankrupcy Day) when the Act go into affect.

Instead of restating alot of information that you can better find else where, here are some links that will explain the law and it's affects better.

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Here is the change.org page on this cause.

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

It's a good summary of why people are so concerned about this law.  It is also where ideas for change are voted on to be presented to the Obama administration to help form the basis of a nationwide advocacy campaign to turn each idea into actual policy.

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This is Save Second-hand Kid's Clothes. 

http://www.rallycongress.com/make-second-hand-kids-clothes-legal-/1471/

It is a great petition to sign and makes it also very easy to send letters directly to your Congresspeople from the site. The form letter only really addresses the second-hand clothing issue, so I recommend adding your own comments and editing the letter to include the other consequences of the law I have mentioned.

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Here is a great youtube video of a business man's response to CPSIA Implementation.  It makes VERY IMPORTANT ECONOMIC POINTS.  Watch all three parts.  Please!! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUlY6zOMPqQ

He points out the logistical difficulties (if not impossiblities) of many businesses complying to the law and the affect it will have on children in schools and with special needs.

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Many people have said that second-hand stores are exempt, but that isn't entirely true.  Read the official statement from the CPSC for yourself.

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/01-08-2009/0004951695&EDATE=

Though resellers do not have to test their inventory they can be fined and/or prosecuted for selling anything that does not comply.  Some stores will take that to mean just follow recall notices carefully, but it could also mean a great reduction of children's clothing and toys in second-hand stores.  Older clothing and toys that may never get tested will be too risky to sell.

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This is an article about the CPSC statement on resell items.  It mentions the fact that as of now (1/9/09)Libraries will have to be sure all children's books are compliant to the law.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264507#tab=article&sc=0&local=

Let's hope that gets changed before Feb. 10th.

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**Update:  This article goes into more detail of the affect the CPSIA will have on publishers and libraries.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/index.asp?layout=talkbackCommentsFull&talk_back_header_id=6578488&articleid=CA6627969

Very informative and from publisher's perspective.  They know what this law will do to their industry.  Only ONE book has been recalled in the past 20 years.  Do books really need to be tested?

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This article has a lot of information on the issue as well. 

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264507#tab=article&sc=0&local=

It mostly focuses on hand-made toy makers.  It has contact information for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  All comments must be sent to them by January 30th.

**Update:  It should be clarified that sale of products manufactured within the same state does not fall under this Federal law, but the law does supersede any state law.  This means that sale within your state on hand-made toys would not be prosecuted by the federal government, but could be prosecuted by your state government.  It should go without saying that sales across state lines would be subject to the CPSIA.  Good-bye ebay, craigslist, and internet commerce.

Read more clarifications from the CPSC at the link below.

http://www.joc.com/articles/news.asp?section=spec3&sid=47493

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And finally, this is the law itself with some summaries and frequently asked questions put out by the CPSC.  It dispels some rumors and re-enforces others. 

http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/legislation.html

I put this last in hopes that people who skim through the post will at least see the last link.

This law needs major re-work if not to be completely re-written.  We all want children to be safe, but I think we all want rationality in our laws.

Please read all the information you can about the issue and come to your own conclusion.  But remember it is easier to do something about this now, fix the mistakes before it takes affect.  If only we caught it sooner.  Maybe the law would have been written right the first time.

-Rae