Pass it on! Copy and paste and let everyone know what the new law is doing to American commerce and the already hurting economy.
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Many online vendors will be closing shop soon unless the new CPSIA law is amended. Perhaps you don’t shop online, that’s okay, this law still affects you too. I’m keeping this short and to the point. Feel free to skip to any portion that directly concerns you. You’re bound to find at least one.

Here is a recent article from Forbes…
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can’t sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can’t even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children’s books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. But hey, there’s always tv right?
Article from the ALA… http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Secondhand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for those brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children’s items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Parents of young students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren’t originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it’s passed testing. It won’t even be the one of a kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one of a kind items virtually impossible.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you’d better start buying now because it’s all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase.
“Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren’t certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to the new law, it’s been nice knowing you and supporting your dream. We’d like to take it back now. Perhaps Corporate America will give you a job, oh wait….Best Wishes, Your Government.

To the American Economy:
Due to this new law, you will be sinking to new lows as only idiots, like Bobby Rush and Henry Waxman, have established.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. They will now know exactly what it’s like to be an American. Duped and broke.

“The New Law”
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? Do they know? Perhaps they should. It affects them too.

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First, no one was hurt in the fire; the tenants and the family who owns the store were all safely evacuated before the blaze became overwhelming. I don’t know if the cats made it out or not.

Around 3:15 local time, one of my boys comes in the house and tells us, “Dominic’s is on fire!” We told him to stay in the house and we promptly brought the other two boys and the dog in. We were more concerned about them getting in the way or the dog running out into the street and possibly getting hit as nearly 100 firefighters responded.

We live just north of the site of the fire, and luckily the wind was in our favor and we did not get any smoke in our home. My dog had to be confined to the kitchen because there were about 10-15 vehicles parked in our driveway and in front of our house. She wouldn’t quit growling and barking!

We watched from our living room window or the front door (wearing coats, hats and gloves) as our friends lost their family business. They suspect the fire started in one of the upstairs apartments. Being that the apartment was directly over the hardware store, it didn’t take long for the flames to spread to the grain, pet foods, and the store in general. It sounded like fireworks when the paint cans (and who knows what else) started exploding from the heat and pressure.

More than 75 firefighters from 10 departments (every department from our county!!) responded and they had to fetch water more than once during the worst of the blaze. Smoke and flames licked up from the store and halfway across the street for more than 3 hours. I’ve never seen a structure fire so hot; the glass panes on the door was literally melting from the heat of the flames. Our power was out from 3:30 until 7 for safety reasons. (We went to my ILs’ house for dinner since we didn’t have electricity with which to light the stove.)

Just before 5, the fire chief made the decision to demolish what was left of the building, and the backhoe took it down so they could continue to manage the blaze. Luckily for all involved (including neighbors) the fire didn’t reach the gas shed where they filled propane tanks.

At nearly 1:00 am, the remains of the store are still actively burning and there are at least three or four fire control units still on the scene. Of course, since today was Inauguration Day, this fire story was only mentioned once (and very briefly) on the evening news. Here’s the story thus far, along with pictures from the west side of the building. We saw the north side of the building, and the smoke was so thick that you couldn’t see through it.

http://www.wptz.com/news/18523623/detail.html

I think I was more shaken up about this than my kids…it hit really close to home–the store that burned was only 1/4 mile south of our house. Please say a prayer for all four families involved in this tragedy.