This is the first year where so many toys have come under the scrutinity for toxicity, and harm to a child? What happened? Did we become lax under the product manufacturing laws..with lead being the main culprit?
a health hazard like this may be a heads up for companies, but why are the Chinese manufacturers still making items with lead which are harmful to children. HOw will this rade recall hurt the business in the fourth quarter, the stores, distributors, and the general health of the economy? Will it place a strain on trade with China? How will it effect the Olympics? Will this effect an economy on the brink of reegaining a foothold in the world? So many cnet'ers have children or little brother sisters cousins, did this make a difference in what you buy?
I'd really like to know.

Though some may construe this as whining, but it's not. There are two days left for voting, and votes dont carry over. It would be appreciated if you vote for me. I am not asking or begging but to look objectively at these last two days, and some of the forums and postngs. In the majority of mine, I send a lot of thoughts that seem to gather some reputation. It's all I can say, as I reach the next plateau of 600 postings. Thanks again as well. I have appreciated everyone's thoughts.

Feltlikethewind--I am not sure why we are hearing of so many toy recalls. It is sad. It could be one of the consequences of moving things overseas. I don't know. I have learned that a lot of people around here don't put a lot of effort into their work and don't really care what the outcome is since they don't get paid a lot. Companies are moving overseas to produce products at a cheaper rate and labor is cheaper too. It makes me wonder if the ones overseas don't care what the product ends up like because they don't get paid much. This is just a thought because I definitely do not have evidence of that or anything. Also, I wonder if toys made overseas have to go through the same inspections as the toys made here in America. If they don't then that could explain why so many of the lead based products are making their way into our country. Products made in China have been most, if not all, of the recalls this year. My son plays with Thomas the Tank Engine. That is his favorite. However, I do not have enough money to afford the wooden trains that are Thomas so he didn't have a lot of those. We usually buy the plastic Thomas trains because they are cheaper. I have heard that there are a lot of irrate parents over the Thomas issue. I hope that they figure out something to do about the toys coming from China. You would think that lead based paints on toys would have been done away with a long time ago since they found out so many years ago that lead based paints are harmful and can be fatal to our children. It blows my mind why any company would produce a child's toy with lead based paint when they know the affects that it can cause. I guess some people could ask if this has anything to do with terrorism since our country has been in so much turmoil for several years now. That is another issue though.

Well voice, it seems as though we have ran into another month where the last day of elections is going to determine the winners. I hope you stay in the top 4 and I hope I do too. I have been watching the ranks and they changed a bit today. Hopefully, they don't change too drastically. I wish you the best. If we don't win then I hope to see you back here next month. It won't be same if you're not posting.

Personally, I am getting very feed up with toy recalls. They have impacted my home several times this year and I had to take all the kids in for lead posioning tests twice. Thankfully, it came back negative.

This is a very big concern for me and I am really not sure what I am going to do about it at this point in time. Normally, all of my christmas shopping would be done. Everything would be wrapped and wish lists for the kids sent out. I have done none of that yet. Why?? Simply because I don't know who to trust my children with.

One of their favorite toys - Thomas the tank Engine and friends -- has been recalled 3 times this past year. I think a majority of the items we owned have had to be replaced but there are still others that I have and I worry if they are not contaminated as well.

I think this year, we are going for the more high-tech items for Christmas over the purchase of toys. The boys have been wanting computers. I think that is what they are going to get along with educational software. Maybe a digital camera... something that I know is safe and won't be recalled.

There is a lot of lax security when it comes to toys. There are also so many food recalls...chocolate, a certain bread, all sorts of things...it's getting pretty bad.

The way I look at it, we're all exposed to some pretty bad stuff, and at some point or another we are going to be exposed to it...whether or not we trust our food or our toys.

I am glad I don't have to worry about buying toys...yet. It IS pretty bad. Thankfully when I was growing up, Barbie dolls were pretty safe...




*And I know this is off-topic, but congrats on your 600, gv! You have surpassed me in posts!*