Video: Regulation fan discovers inner Libertarian when it hits her pocketbook
posted at 3:15 pm on January 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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We see this a lot in Minnesota, where liberals happily plaster their Prius bumper with signs that profess they’re “Happy to Pay for a Better Minnesota,” then move to a state where tax costs are lower. I got that same vibe from this television report on the impact that the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act will have on small businesses up and down the distribution chain, let alone consumers. The reporter interviewed one such small-business owner who cheered greater regulation — right up until it started affecting her pocketbook (via Q&O):
It doesn’t get much more clueless than this, but it does mirror what happens in Congress when these kinds of regulations get proposed. Politicians stick names on in like “Safety Improvement Act” in order to make a vote against it look like a vote against safety. No one considers the ramifications of the bill until it goes into effect, and suddenly we’re talking about putting good used clothing in landfills instead of on people, and ensuring that only the biggest toymakers and clothiers can afford the testing necessary to sell their goods.
Of course, we’d get less of that if we had fewer clueless citizens cheering on legislation about which they know next to nothing — until too late. That’s what is ridiculous.
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YOU ARE A GENIUS! This is exactly the sort of analysis that makes HA a great blog. Brief and trenchant. Schmucks like us can’t ever serve in congress because we’re busy providing for our families and serving our communities and country.
God help us over the next 4 years.
Mojave Mark on January 9, 2009 at 9:00 PM
You may not realize it, but you have identified the problem. Most people demand protection. They are either unwilling to use caution or are too stupid. When someone misuses a product, they file a lawsuit. Look at a new ladder, all the lawsuits are the reasons for all those warning labels. When an idiot put his or her hand under a running lawnmower to clean the chute and loses a few fingers, a lawsuit is filed, and another, and mowers get more expensive.
Something can be made fool proof, but it cannot be made damn fool proof.
Pelayo on January 9, 2009 at 9:05 PM
There is actually a simple way around this law, just label the products as not for use by kids under 12. If the parents buy them any way it is then their responsibility with the products. :-)
JeffinSac on January 9, 2009 at 9:42 PM
This law is really stupid but it is always satisfying to see a liberal get smacked upside the head with reality.
mrsmwp on January 9, 2009 at 9:46 PM
But you said, I mean I thought it was, yes but how can I BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sonnyspats1 on January 9, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I am SO GLAD to see that this has been posted on HA. Folks, this is serious for many people in America. We homeschool, my wife has purchased 99% of our childrens clothing for the past 8 years from stores that resell gently used stuff. There is a niche industry out there that sells baby clothes, toys, educational materials, books, etc.
This law (it’s already been passed) will kill many businesses. It will also impact many parents that are trying to get by on less and are forced to purchased used versus new clothes. Congress has NO IDEA what this means since they certainly don’t shop second-hand stores.
This is messed up… is there any way this can be repealed?
cannonball on January 9, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Did I understand the story correctly, that President Bush did this evil deed all by himself?
Actually, it drives me bonkers when President Bush signs things like this (and the lightbulb ban.) I figure these idiotic laws got attached to some legislation that was otherwise very important.
SheofTwoMinds on January 10, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Well Bush did sign it, but so did almost everyone in Congress.
Here’s a petition to repeal the thing:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/RepealCPSIA/
And here’s why that would be good:
http://designloft.blogspot.com/2009/01/problem-with-exemptions-and-cpsia.html
Nevicata on January 10, 2009 at 1:21 AM
The first thing I thought of after watching that was Cartman from South Park saying…”Stupid Hippee!”
albuddy on January 10, 2009 at 4:38 AM
I know a woman on social security whose enthusiasm for Barack Obama knew no bounds. It was like the second coming. She continued up until a few days ago. He is not in office yet and at least for her he lied and deceived her…he said social security was gonna be safe. Now he says it is out of control and must be revised. Now she thinks he is going to take it away from her to pay for all his socialist programs. I tried to tell her before the election but she was dancing in the streets for him. Live and learn I always say.
kanda on January 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Yeah, like the organic baby booties? Get real.
rcl on January 10, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Ah, there’s the problem.
Let’s see, it was large corporate toy companies who caused the problem by out-sourcing to China; Brio, Mattel, etc. In response the freedom-loving members of the Congress and Senate along with our conservative Republican President pass a law which forces all small independant or sole-proprietor business totally out of the toy market leaving it solely to the large corporations which caused the problem.
This is a precisely fascist piece of legislation; the partnership of government and industry shaping society for the “good of the people”. This is in the mold of the Hitler,Krupps and Thyssen alliance.
I’m no believer in conspiracies but the 180 degree turn from 1994 to 2008 in the GOP is incomprehensible without some “intelligent design”. We’ve been sold out.
The GOP is not salvageable.
rcl on January 10, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Well, we have to kowtow to our trading partner China dont we? After all China own us lock, stock and barrel. These small businesses arent buying from China, they are small so they slip under the government’s regulatory radar. Maybe the whole idea is to put these small businesses out of business in the first place? When the thrift stores are closed down either there will be a thriving black market in used clothes or the parents will have to buy Chinese-made junk.
Just wonderin’.
abcurtis on January 10, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I love the fact that this scam got started from China. So who do our glorious leaders in congress and our “above it all, compassionate conservative Bush” punish??
The American people.
I wonder if some of the big toy makers saw an opportunity here as well, to cut some of the small competition. There would only be profit for them if thrift stores and small businesses were destroyed.
JellyToast on January 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I was interested in whether Ms. Bjorlie had learned anything from this experience, so I emailed her at her shop’s address. I noted that, in the interview, she seemed to realize that these new regulations might just put Eco Baby out of business because many (or most) of herr vendors will either raise their (and thus her) prices, or stop making those products available altogether.
To paraphrase her response, she’s still in favor of CPSIA, and “could care less” whether she stays in business:
So, Ed, you have your answer: clueless is as clueless does.
Paul_in_NJ on January 10, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Thanks for the link, Nevicata. I just signed.
SheofTwoMinds on January 10, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Arrgh! How do these people become unmoored from reality?
I’ve been engaged with a debate with a lib. Here’s how it goes:
Me: (emails him information about the state of healthcare in Canada and Britain in support of my argument that socialized healthcare doesn’t work)
His response: “I don’t read my email.”
Me: “I am deeply concerned about Obama’s statements indicating he doesn’t support the US Constitution.” (emails radio interview of Obama evaluating the Warren Court decisions and describing the changes he thinks should be made to the Constitution)
Response: “I have a good imagination, and I believe we could end war.”
Me: “Obama promised that his energy plan would bankrupt the coal industry.” (emails video of Obama explaining how his plan will bankrupt the coal industry)
Response: “You’re gullible.”
Me: “Obama said his plan will cause my utility bills to skyrocket.” (emails video of Obama saying his energy plan will make utility bills skyrocket)
Resonse: “Typical woman. You’re irrational. Obama wouldn’t say that when he’s trying to get elected.”
He’s right — I’m irrational. I keep thinking that you can enlighten a liberal by presenting evidence in support of your argument and making logical deductions from it.
SheofTwoMinds on January 10, 2009 at 2:39 PM
ROFL
sadly, by the time the REST of America “catches on” it will be too late……
John The Baptist on January 10, 2009 at 4:40 PM
I think it was pretty clear in the interview that she didn’t care about herself at all. She’s a classic, typical, liberal. Regulations are fine with her as long as they affect the big toy companies. Big Business. Big AMERICAN Business.
She was shocked, SHOCKED, that a European vendor would be held to the same standard.
The simple fact is that most Liberals hate America. They just do. This woman is such an elitist that she still doesn’t even care how it affects her. Why? Because she can always work for a “non-profit”. She doesn’t see her business as an enterprise for profit at all. Just a vehicle for her “education and activism”.
Cripes.
Jaynie59 on January 10, 2009 at 11:11 PM
At least she didn’t discover her inner “Republican”.. otherwise she would have promised smaller federal government, more freedom, and less government spending but then turned around and signed this legislation like Bush did.
popularpeoplesfront on January 11, 2009 at 1:18 AM
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