Take Action!!!

OK, I never thought of myself as an activist but recently I have felt the need to do something, ANYTHING about some government policies. This one, I'm hoping many of you will feel the need to take some action in too. This one makes my blood boil (or as my 7th & 8th grade reading teacher used to say) it "boils my broccolli!"

Starting on February 10, 2009 a law (the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) will go into effect requiring all products for children under 12 to be tested for lead and pthalate levels, effectively rendering all used and handmade children's items illegal. Unless, of course, they have submitted to hundreds or thousands of dollars in third party testing. Which is impossible for most thrift stores and small manufacturers/producers. This law, good in it's intentions, will have such a far reaching and crippling effect it's hard to get one's brain around it. Because it won't just affect the small & tiny work-at-home enterprises or thrifts but also the giant mega-companies who brought this down on us to begin with.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, put into place after the scares of the past year with imported goods and through the roof lead levels, has the potential to push this country completely over the edge into a financial depression. Let's look at this from the mega-company stand point. Even if they can afford the cost of the testing ($200-$4, 000 per item) and continue to produce goods the cost of those goods will be increased. And most companies will have to drop employees as well. The small and tiny enterprises will most likey close their doors and go out of business, losing all of their economic impact and creating more of a drain on the system. More people out of work, less purchasing being done throughout the chain of production. And, when all these folks who no longer have a source of income need to buy something for their kid, they are forced to buy it new, off the rack at an increased price. And that's just one trajectory of impact.

I find this law so unbelievably frustrating that I have a hard time being articulate about it. All I want to do is rant and rave about big government. But, there are a few things we can do. Firstly, spread the word. The more people know about this, the more people can take action and the mroe likely it is for changes to be made. Second, write to your congress person and your Senator. Send a letter for every voting member of your household. If you're really upset about this, then call them, too. This is a democracy, no matter how cynical I may feel, so let's make our voices heard.

For further information check out these links
LA Times article
Handmade Toy Alliance (they have a petition in their sidebar and some sample letters to send)
An overview of the law from a few months ago
National Bankruptcy Day more info on many aspects of how & who this will affect
Do a google search on the CPSIA law and see what you find!