What's with all these "dangerous toys" all the sudden?

[Galuf the Dwarf]

I don't get it, but from this MSN "A-List" article and Parents.com list, I spotted 22 toys that were recalled, many for 2 reasons above all others: toxic levels of lead paint and loose magnets/parts that could be swallowed.

What I don't understand is why lead paint is even being used on toys. The first I heard about this was a year ago with some Mexican knock-off of the classic Transformers figures. All I can think is cheap cost and fast production, but I wonder if someone else here's more in the know-how.

As far as magnets and loose parts, I wonder why some kids (especially if they're of the age limit would want to even put these parts in their mouth, let alone swallow them. Younger children around said toys, of course that might be a concern, but doesn't it really pay to keep a good eye on kids of ANY age?

I don't know, but this just seems all the sudden with this influx of recalling toys that are serious health hazards.

[fable]

I can't speak to the situation anywhere but in the US--however, over here, the problem has occurred because of decreased regulation, and low funding for health inspections. The head of the Department of of Health and Human Services is a Bush appointee who has made a point, even now, of insisting that all the government division needed was more financial cuts. As a result, the warning about heavily leaded toys for young children came from city and state governmental health departments.

Contrary to the neo-con fairytale, if you remove regulations, business doesn't regulate itself. I cannot recall ever seeing this myth take place, and I can't help but think that it was never anything more than a smokescreen to allow untrammeled greed on the part of the friends of those in power. Of which there are a huge number who have really gotten very fat.

[prof. Moriarty]

Ayup. There's one simple answer: Money.
Most of these toys are also produced in China, since chinese labor is cheap. See a pattern? You should. The same one is repeated over and over again: if the cost is low noone will question WHY that is until someone from the outside finds out. It is easier to ask forgivness, you know...

Therefore Fable is right, there need to BE someone from the outside to watch over it all.

Deus vult!
P

[Loki[D.d.G]]

Quote:

Therefore Fable is right, there need to BE someone from the outside to watch over it all.

And who may that outsider be? Anyone can be corrupted by the lure of easy money thus making it exceptionally hard to find a person with unflappable morals to watch over the industry.

[prof. Moriarty]

Well sure. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be done. It NEEDS to be done. The market can never EVER regulate itself. We need goverment or something similiar to do that, paid enough not to fall EASILY for corruption and some kind of department keeping an eye on the investigators. They can, in turn, be monitored by the media and so on.
I know this isn't a complete solution, I never would say that it is. But I think it is the seed of something that might work. The neo-cons idea is a catastrophy anyway. Anything is better than NO regulation.

Deus Vult!
P

[Loki[D.d.G]]

Quote:

Well sure. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be done. It NEEDS to be done. The market can never EVER regulate itself. We need goverment or something similiar to do that, paid enough not to fall EASILY for corruption and some kind of department keeping an eye on the investigators. They can, in turn, be monitored by the media and so on.

Can't remember the exact quote, so here's a translation : Who will guard the guards?

By the way, I don't think any conventional pay can match the lures of a bribe short of what the CEO makes himself.

[prof. Moriarty]

1: The public. By making the workings of government and departments official.

2: Naturally. But we can strive to minimize the risk by giving fair wages. No more can be done than that by means of paying. But that is, as I said, no reason to quit.
Therefore we need to find other ways of teaching all people honor, responsibility and honesty.There IS people who won't take bribes. I am one. It would stain me forever not to mention harm others. I see no reason why that cannot be taught to even greater numbers.

Oh, and naturally bribing should be illegal and carry the risk for several years of imprisonment. We cannnot just teach people that TAKING bribes is wrong. GIVING bribes musst therefore also be wrong. Even friendly "gifts" and "contributions" on higher levels. Corporates have no right to influence the governing that is to ensure the benefit of all.

Deus Vult!
P

[Vicsun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loki[D.d.G] Can't remember the exact quote, so here's a translation : Who will guard the guards?

Originally posed by Plato, but immortalized by Juvenal the question you're looking for is "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"

The answer you're looking for is found in the game "rock, paper, scissors"

[Loki[D.d.G]]

Quote:

Originally posed by Plato, but immortalized by Juvenal the question you're looking for is "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"

Bingo! Right of the pages of the Da Vinci Code.

@prof.

Quote:

There IS people who won't take bribes. I am one. It would stain me forever not to mention harm others. I see no reason why that cannot be taught to even greater numbers.

So am I. But if you want to teach it to others, you probably are going to have to start from a young age, to drill the message home.