An Open Letter to Missouri's U.S. Senators
I rarely trouble our readers with national political issues. However, this one I happen to feel strongly about. Whether people agree with the existence of various federal regulations and regulatory bodies or not, most will tend to agree that if you are going to have them, you should at least ensure that they do the job they were created to do.
Next month the US Senate will be considering the appointment of Michael Baroody to head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Mr. Baroody is not the man for the job in our opinion, as well as the opinion of eight consumers groups including the Consumers Union and the Consumer Federation of America.
For more information check out this white paper (pdf file) that those eight groups put out on this issue.
The following is an open letter to the U.S. Senate and specifically Missouri's Senators:
Next month the US Senate will be considering the appointment of Michael Baroody to head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Mr. Baroody is not the man for the job in our opinion, as well as the opinion of eight consumers groups including the Consumers Union and the Consumer Federation of America.
For more information check out this white paper (pdf file) that those eight groups put out on this issue.
The following is an open letter to the U.S. Senate and specifically Missouri's Senators:
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Senators,
On May 3rd, a confirmation hearing is tentatively scheduled to consider Michael Baroody to head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
I am sure that personally, Mr. Baroody is a good man. However, his background as a executive vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers is in direct conflict with the very mission of the CPSC.
NAM has consistently opposed making it easier for consumers and parents to get timely recall information, and has opposed nearly every effort by the CPSC and other groups to improve product safety for the public.
It is completely illogical to me to appoint someone who's career has centered around opposing an organization's mission to now head that very organization. I agree that there should be voices from manufactures on the Commission, but the head of the Commission should not only support, but embrace, the mission of the CPSC if it is to be anything other than a paper tiger.
I am writing to you to request that you strongly and vocally oppose Mr. Baroody's appointment at this hearing. We need someone who embraces the concepts of child safety and keeping consumers properly informed and Mr. Baroody is not that person.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
John Moyle
Overland, Missouri
On May 3rd, a confirmation hearing is tentatively scheduled to consider Michael Baroody to head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
I am sure that personally, Mr. Baroody is a good man. However, his background as a executive vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers is in direct conflict with the very mission of the CPSC.
NAM has consistently opposed making it easier for consumers and parents to get timely recall information, and has opposed nearly every effort by the CPSC and other groups to improve product safety for the public.
It is completely illogical to me to appoint someone who's career has centered around opposing an organization's mission to now head that very organization. I agree that there should be voices from manufactures on the Commission, but the head of the Commission should not only support, but embrace, the mission of the CPSC if it is to be anything other than a paper tiger.
I am writing to you to request that you strongly and vocally oppose Mr. Baroody's appointment at this hearing. We need someone who embraces the concepts of child safety and keeping consumers properly informed and Mr. Baroody is not that person.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
John Moyle
Overland, Missouri
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If you would like to send a letter to your Senators on this issue (regardless as to whether you agree or disagree with our position) you can do so at these links:
Contact form for: Senator Kit Bond
Contact form for: Senator Clair McCaskill
For Those in Other States you can find your Senator's contact form here (just select your state in the drop down box).
Contact form for: Senator Kit Bond
Contact form for: Senator Clair McCaskill
For Those in Other States you can find your Senator's contact form here (just select your state in the drop down box).
posted by Overland Sailor @ 8:53 AM 
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4 Comments:
Overland Sailor,
Thanks for the heads up! As a concerned parent myself, I also sent a letter. Hope you are doing well.
All is well here CF.
As for the heads up, like with most things I came across this information on the internet. I believe the Consumer's Union is where I found it originally.
Please cite specific instances where Mr. Baroody has opposed easier access to recall information and other CSPC initiatives. It's too easy to speak in generalities about this. I can appreciate the appearance of a conflict of interest, but without specifics, there is no story worthy of a newspaper here.
That is why I included a link to the report produced by:
• Center for Environmental Health
• Center for Justice and Democracy
• Consumer Federation of America
• Consumers Union
• Kids in Danger
• Public Citizen
• Saferparks
• U.S. PIRG
In my view, that report makes the case, though admittedly I feel the the conflict of interest is enough of an issue when it comes to the Chairmanship of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That is not to say I don't believe voices from manufacturers have a place on the Commission.
Ultimately I chose to write to my Senators about my concerns on this issue. I also chose to write about it here so that people with opinions on this matter (regardless of which side of the issue they see themselves on) might be motivated to do the same.
As for the story being worthy for a "newspaper" that is always a matter of opinion. Ultimately the Editorial staff determines what is in the interest of their publication as well as the public. Here at The Overland Examiner, the Editorial Staff unanimously agreed this story was in the public interest. :-)
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