Wow.....just.....wow.

I guess I'll have to quit working on that arsenic/cyanide laced afghan I was crocheting. This is so beyond stupid. I'm going to take a stab and say this probably includes those bake sale items and garage sales. Geez. Morons.

I looked up the voting record on this, and sadly it seems most of our Congressman seemed to distrust our citizens enough to force them to verify their homemade goods are safe (even if it costs them way more to produce the goods). Only one man in the entire House voted 'nay' (who else but the true blue Republican Ron Paul?). My in-laws make home-made goods to sell, but since they're into textiles, hopefully this won't touch them. I feel for the folks selling toys, though.

You know what is really scary? We have not even begun to see the "change" that is coming. No matter how you voted, what you do for a living, or where you live, your life is going to change drastically in the next few years. Might be a good time to start collecting change in coffee cans and burying them in the back yard! Maybe if people will gripe enough they will amend this stupid new decision.

Actually I knew about this one since it may impact on me. I'm a bookseller and one of my specialties is out of print children's books. This has been discussed a lot lately in the Amazon & Abe chat rooms. The consenses is that this law is not well thought out and it could be trouble for us since these old books were constructed before anybody knew the harmfulness of things like lead etc. Most of the sales are to collectors and the books are no longer intended for children's use but that might not matter since they are still children's items. We know there will have to be disclaimers on the books but I'm not certain what else is in the works.

I believe this is just more the government regulation that we can expect in the years to come. Many states have regulations that already prohibit farmers from selling eggs, milk or meat directly from their farms without being licensed and inspected regularly. The intent of some these kinds of legislation is good, but they often result in tying the hands of those who just want/need to make an honest living.

This is a ridiculous bill. It not only will have an effect on crafters who make and sell their handmade products on auction sites, in home based businesses and consignment shops, but will impact every church and firehouse in America. Almost every non-profit organization offers some type of craft show or flea market at least once a year, selling tables for $10-30. They do this to raise funds for their equipment, insurance, holiday parties and more. If this law is passed, there will be no such thing as a craft show where you can buy unique, hand crafted items for gifts or decor. Regardless of whether or not you are a crafter, we should all send our complaints in for this proposed action. Our economy is already in jeopardy, with many facing the loss of their homes, jobs and more. If this is allowed to pass, what will they take away next? The Farmers Market, where our local farmers sell their wares?

Oh boy, that's just the worst thing to do. It's funny as most of the people who do homecrafts would use products where the manufacturer would have already had to pass the inspection. Like the dress example provided by that one woman in the article. The materials would probably come from a US business and be sold in a US store or mass merchandiser/discounter whatever. Therefore all should already have been tested. This is crazy and if they follow through on it will get people really upset. Too many Americans rely on a little side business/ebay/garage sales... It's a hornets nest they got themselves into.

they should pay for the testing them self since they are that one over exporting and inporting products we use to make things but thats just what I think I think its a bunch of crap that they are trying to do this if they would just stop inporting stuff like that and get it all right here in the US than this would have never happend errrrrrr ppl make me so mad

Hey, Thanks for the information. Me and some friends have submited all of our complaints and contacted (or are in the process of) all of our congressman for all the good that does. When my oldest son was born he had gastroesophageal Reflux from an injusy to his esophagus at birth (I know TMI) but anyway he had to sleep on this special device that we had to purchase for $300.00 (This was in 1984). So over the months that he had to sleep on this thing me and some friends got to examining it and our creative minds went to work and now we make them and give them to those in need at the hospital. We average making about 1 a month because thankfully they are not in that much demand. They can be purchased for an ungodly price or rented for $20-$25 per month (sanitary huh). We give these devices to parents (ours are made of a spongy material for softness for the baby) that are in need of them. When I seen your discussion I jumped on the email wagon and got everyones feathers ruffled! LOL This is ridiculous! We are in the process of making 3 right now for different hospitals. We don't charge them a penny we just simply collect material and items needed until we get an order for one and we go to work! I think it is a shame that the people that are in need of these will have to pay such a ridiculous price or maybe not be able to get one at all and the baby will do some tremendous suffering. This just makes me sick!

Oh my GOD, that is APPALLING! I followed the links, read the articles, the law, and then sent a very colorful e-mail to congress. I can't believe this. What the hell is going on, how many more laws and bills like this are being passed without anyone elses knowledge? I have not heard one peep about this, which is surprising because where I live many people make a living off selling trinkets and things to tourists. You would think that someone would've told us. Well you did. I'm copying this link and some of your post, if that is ok and I would like to e-mail it to my friends and family. Please let me know if that is acceptable. Or I can post a link to your discussion on my webpage or both, let me know what you would prefer...

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU. I know of the new bill and think it's disgusting. In an already burdoned economey, it's going to kill the small business out there that people rely one in an already job market crunch. I thought this we were supposed to help our economey? Am I wrong? I see this as nothing but congress bending down and tak'en it like a biitch from corporate america.

i think they are doing it to control recession i think it'll help

They have made the green movement into business/government and now this. Thank you for the knowledge, I will pass it on to my friends.

I'm not familiar with the bill, although I thank you for bringing it to our attention. Just another feather in the cap of our fearless leaders. What is available to us little peons to aid us in stopping these senseless decisions from being made?