According to this article in the NY Times, the CPSC is badly underfunded, understaffed, and political appointees are overruling recommendations made on scientific data. CPSC

Here are a few excerpts:

"At the agency’s cramped laboratory, a lone employee is charged with testing suspected defective toys from across the nation. At the nearby headquarters, safety initiatives have been stalled or dropped after dozens of jobs were eliminated in budget cutbacks."

"Speaking to lawmakers earlier this year, Thomas H. Moore, that commissioner, said, “The commission can either continue to decline in staff, resources and stature to the point where it is no longer an effective force in consumer protection, or with the support of Congress, it can regain the important place in American society that it was originally designed to have.” " (One of two current commissioners, Mr. Moore was appointed by Clinton.)

"One lab worker used a magnifying glass and a mechanical stop watch to help conduct a fabric flammability experiment — the same equipment she has used for three decades. The toy laboratory, down the hall, is an office so cramped that the only space dedicated to a drop test to see if toys will break into small pieces and cause a choking hazard is the spare space behind the office door. “This is the toy lab for all of America — for all of the United States government!” said Robert L. Hundemer, the one agency employee who routinely tests toys, as he held up his arms in the air. “We do what we can.” "

By Karen~admin on Sunday, September 2, 2007 - 07:30 am:

Well..........If I reply what I *really* feel about this, it will suddenly turn into a hot, political debate. LOL