This is Plain Madness

I know this is my 3rd post this morning but this makes me sick. For more positive posts please read the last 2. I am usually quiet about things but I will not be quiet about this. Please read this and help stop this madness. In a time our economy is in crisis this will kill small businesses, charities, thrift stores and could end up affecting ebay, yard sales and just giving away things that people could really use. This was posted on a yahoo group I'm on from a lady that sells used children's books.

Someone STOP the insanity!!!Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.What does this mean to the homeschooling family? Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army. Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child. No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the rulingdoesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".)Just how serious is this new law?Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-printbooks. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.)So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business?Or your EBay business selling children's items?ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspxComments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-tion, just enter your zip code.http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 ineach category will be presented to President-elect Obama.http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia4) Sign the petition.http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Writeabout this on your blog. Tell others about this issue andencourage them to do the same.