Which candidate will save me from my Christmas lights?

[CoffeeCat]

I hung 30 strands of 100-count holiday lights on my house, bushes and trees for
Christmas. It took me an entire afternoon to do this.

Did I wash my hands after hanging these lights? Apparently, if I didn't, I've
exposed myself and my entire family--including two young daughters--to lead.

That's right, folks--LEAD.

Most companies that manufacture Christmas lights use lead to coat the exterior of
the electrical wires, to comply with fire-safety standards.

LEAD. On my Christmas lights. On my hands.

I did a bit of research and CNN did a bit on this. Apparently, the Christmas-light
companies could use other substances, which would act as a fire-retardant and bring
the Christmas lights in compliance with safety regulations.

Why do they use lead then? Because it's cheaper than calcium or zinc.

Here's the verbatim warning on the Christmas-light box, "CAUTION: Prop 65 Warning: Handling
the coated electrical wires of this product exposes you to lead, a chemical known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wash
hands after use.

If this situation doesn't showcase the current crisis in our country, I don't know what
does. People are expendable. "We The People" are expendable. Companies are all important.
Profits are tantamount. Exposing adults and children to deadly chemicals is a risk the
companies are willing to take--in order to increase profit.

In favor of saving pennies on the cost of manufacturing these lights--these companies are
exposing my entire family to lead--a substance that causes cancer and brain damage in
children.

Why are corporate profits more important than my safety? How did this happen and which
candidate will stop this revolting nonsense?

[MNDemNY]

1. Only Paul.

[babylonsister]

2. Edwards and Obama have made statements.

Here's Obama's:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/12/cpsc_obama.html

Obama Pledges Doubled Funding for Product Safety Agency
Feds say 22 children died in toy-related accidents in 2006


By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.Com

December 15, 2007

Barack Obama says that if he's elected President, he'll double the funding for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and make sure it has the inspectors it needs to ensure that the goods sold to American consumers are safe.

At a news conference in Waterloo, Iowa, Obama said existing safety laws "aren't being enforced and many Americans, including many children, are paying the price. This has to stop."

snip//

In 2005, Sen. Obama (D-IL) introduced the Lead-Free Toys Act, which would require the CPSC to ban children's products containing more than a trace amount of lead.

Obama said he has also directly pressured toy manufacturers and Bush administration officials to do a better job protecting American children from the threat of imported toys, especially those manufactured in China.

"I've challenged the Bush administration and the toy companies to do a better job of protecting our children from unsafe toys, especially those made in China," Obama said. "And I introduced a bill that would make it illegal to sell a toy that has more than trace amounts of lead - and that's a bill I'll sign into law when I'm President."

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