Pulling out the ole' soapbox

My Sis called me yesterday on my way home. She was "aggravated, mad & angry." Since she used so many adjectives in one sentence, I naturally asked why.

This is why.

"As of February 10, 2009, it will be illegal to resell any used children's products, including toys and clothing. That is according to the U.S. Consumer Protection & Safety Commission, who pushed for the new laws after dozens of toys were recalled in 2008 because of lead concerns."

I'm all for safety, especially in regards to babies and children, but this is a little extreme. In my opinion, it should be against the law to resell car seats and mattresses. Car seats because you don't know if they have been in a previous car accident and may not be effective in protecting your child. Mattresses for obvious sanitation reasons.

However when it comes to used clothing or toys, I think it should be the parent's decision.This law is just entirely too broad to institute the way it is written and it will have detrimental effects on parents nationwide. Not to mention businesses such as Once Upon A Child that specialize in selling used items.

I know lots of parents that not only purchase items from stores like this, but they also sell their items to stores like this. Is it really the time to move towards removing yet another portion of our economy? There are over 230 locations nationwide that will have no choice but to close their doors to consumers and their employees.

With 7.2% of the population already unemployed the last thing we need is take away jobs and make it harder for parents to afford to clothe their kids.

And I won't even start on what that will mean to non-profit organizations that have thrift stores such as the Salvation Army or DAV. Nor will I get into the fact that all of these items will now land in our overcrowded landfills. How green is that?

I love how they are justifying this ridiculous law by citing the lead recalls from last year. But have they stopped imports from China? No. Have they tested all imported toys? No.

And yet the direct quote from the CDC says "Toys that have been made in other countries and then imported into the U.S. or antique toys and collectibles passed down through generations put children at risk for such exposure."

They blatantly state it's imported toys. Shouldn't refusing imports be the first step in eliminating lead based toys?

Better yet isn't there a way to encourage more toys be made in the USA, where there are strict regulations? Is ANYTHING still made in the USA? I'd like to note here that the new pair of Levi's I bought over the weekend was made in Egypt.

Yep that's right even Levi's are now imported.

Back to the subject at hand. If you would like to make your voice heard and help stop this ludicrous law please go HERE and sign the petition.

I did. Will you?

**EDIT** To be fair THIS article explains exemptions that are pending final approval. This doesn't change how I feel but I'm happy to see that the government is taking steps to review the original regulation.