No Kids Clothes at Goodwill? FIGHT BACK!

This morning I've been reading (and commenting) about the new law passed by Congress that will go into effect almost immediately.  This law prohibits thrift shops and second-hand stores from selling used children's clothing unless they have been "tested" for various chemicals or ingredients that may cause harm to the user.  See Los Angeles Times article:  Fast way is through Connie's link.  Read the whole article.  Thanks, Connie! www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977554168

 This action will undoubtedly have a very serious financial impact on the small business man/woman who has a simple, community thrift shop.  It will cripple the larger, well-known, not-for-profit retailers such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent du Paul, the SPCA thrift shops and the American Cancer Society's Discovery Stores.  What about the consignment shops?   Will this law apply to church or school rummage sales?  How about your neighborhood yard sale?  These types of businesses have no budget for shipping their goods out to some chemical engineer to determine whether a T-shirt is safe enough to put on someone's child. 

 What about the consumer?  The fear of being stricken by lightening if they purchase a pair of pajamas at a second-hand shop will steer Mom and Grandma to a retailer that sells only NEW products that were allowed into the U.S. containing lead and phthalates.  Twice the price~ but safer? 

 Once again, it's the smaller independent businesses, the reliable neighborhood shops of trade and consignment and the CONSUMER that will suffer. 

 What am I going to do about it?  I'm going to write ~ not e-mail, not leave a phone message, but WRITE ~ to my State's Governor, my State's Senators and each and every one of my State's Representatives.

 I know what beefs I have with this law.  You will assuredly have your own.  To find the names, addresses, e-mails, phone and fax numbers for the "powers that be" in your state, county or district go to this link: www.visi.com/juan/congress  Find your state and click on it.  The entire list of your representatives will appear.

 Do something.