Oh, Sidewalk Sensations, my thoughts are so "different" than just coming up with ideas for change.
I recently saw a government official (a commissioner, I believe) on our local TV talking to a group of businessmen in the capitol of our state about China. They were shocked to hear what he had to say, I was shocked. It is hard to comprehend as their country is so large. I won't go into detail, I think it is frightening, and I certainly don't want to cause panic. Perhaps I can explain it this way. They are such a large country, it would be impossible to control much of anything. Pollution is one thing. I personally think lead is another. The air so thick with pollution that they don't see the sun. Some of it moves into California with the jet stream.
That said, I think the chances of the United States controlling the imports would be very difficult. Shipload after shipload coming into our country on a constant basis. We don't have the manpower or the money to meet this need. With the size of their country, they think differently than we do.
My second thought is this. Just as with all of the other "crises problems" that have arisen lately, this lead situation did not happen overnight. It was gradual. It was a buildup of years of importing. Just as with the other problems, it cannot be solved overnight. I feel the CPSIA was written in an attempt to control it because of the cases of lead poisioning that were occuring, and Congress tried to "jump" on it. Back a year or so ago, when we looked at this Act, there were target products or target substances to be checked every three months or so. No real testing was in place. It was a thrown-together law to reduce the panic and get the US on track. No possible means of doing this existed. People in Congress come into office, leave office, and then what happens.
It has taken a year to sort through some of the problems. This is just the beginning. It can't be done overnight. Like the car industry, the housing market, etc. it will take time. Then along came us "crafters" who could easily feel the pinch. Being that we are each caring people, lawful citizens, we stood up to the plate to do our share. That is not where this law should begin. The big manufacturers, the importers, is where it should begin. If they get it "safe" at the top level, the supplies we purchase will, of course, be safe. Labels and testing at our level aren't going to accomplish anything, in my mind.
This is just how I see this problem. It is more of an international situation that must be resolved by Congress, not by us crafters!
So my thoughts. Congress should be realistic. Begin at the top just as they are doing with the car companies, the banks. It will trickle down for us.
