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Posted on 05/07/2009 6:25:24 PM PDT by Behind Liberal Lines
Thinking of having a yard sale this weekend? Before you do, be sure to consult CSPC Publication #254 [PDF].
This handy 28-pager from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds the American people that, thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the government is totally in charge of your yard sale:
This handbook will help sellers of used products identify types of potentially hazardous products that could harm children or others. CPSC’s laws and regulations apply to anyone who sells or distributes consumer products. This includes thrift stores, consignment stores, charities, and individuals holding yard sales and flea markets.
Selling old kids books, anything with metal, paint, or plastic that a kid might use, old clothes or shoes with metal components that a kid might wear? You know, any of the stuff people routinely sell at yard sales? Technically, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars worth of fines. Obviously, it's unlikely the CPSA goons are going to bust up your yard sale. But putting out a detailed booklet that reserves the right to do so is hardly encouraging about where the implementation of this legislation is heading.
SCREW THAT! Unless of course the feds want to buy all my old junk (perhaps a little “bailout money”)?
The problem in that is the damages.
Unless your child developed serious medical problems, and you’d have to prove that the item caused the problem, your damages would be the price you paid for the item.
No money in it for the ambulance chasers.
If any of these government slugs happen to read this, I’d like to invite them to shove it up their @$$. They can never possibly enforce it. Such dimwitted over-reaching regulation does nothing but undermine respect for the law.
I wish they would mind their own damn business & try to sort the messes they’ve already made instead of creating new ones. Shaking my head again & wondering just what these people are on.
Wow, extreme run on sentence. Where's the grammar nazis?
Ain't life in a totalitarian country just grand? Just until you see what's coming down the road next.
America -- a great idea, didn't last. Way too many did way too little for way too long. That's how civilizations fall.
My thinking also. There is always those types around. All it takes is a phone call.
Can listing make a difference?
— List everything “as is”.
— Consumer beware.
— Use in a safe manner, as I did.
— Not responsible for your stupidity.
— I have your name on your check and I know where you live...nah, forget that one.
I think that micromanagement with vast hyper-regulation of a local yard sale MAY slightly overstep the Constitutional powers granted to the federal government.
Just a TINY little bit unconstitutional.
Of course it isn't, but the Wickard Commerce Clause is in effect and SCOTUS may say otherwise:
Where necessary to make a regulation of interstate commerce effective, Congress may regulate even those intrastate activities that do not themselves substantially affect interstate commerce.
J. Scalia concurring, Gonzales v Raich
_____________________________________
Respondents Diane Monson and Angel Raich use marijuana that has never been bought or sold, that has never crossed state lines, and that has had no demonstrable effect on the national market for marijuana. If Congress can regulate this under the Commerce Clause, then it can regulate virtually anything, and the Federal Government is no longer one of limited and enumerated powers.
J. Thomas dissenting, Gonzales v Raich
These guys are out of control. My family is at a flea market this weekend. I refuse to call them to tell them not to sell anything. Screw ‘em.
Common sense is dead. I swear there is something in the water these kooks drink.
Or toss it in the slammer. Hey, life won't be so bad in the re-education camps. Until Nobama cuts the funding.
Still seems like overstepping, still seems open to abuse, and still shouldn't be a Federal issue (though, under the currently-prevailing Commerce Clause jurisprudence, the Courts certainly wouldn't stop it from being one). But, I'm not sure this will practically be as much of a disaster as some think it might be.
Don’t know about those holding a yard sale, but I’d certainly consult the thing before giving a toy or other item to a kid.
The hell you say...
How long ‘till they’re taxed too?
I’ll be dead before that, believe me.
and forget those church bake sales.
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