"Voluntary standards" unfair to honest business people...

The Bush junta has once again struck a blow against honest business people who follow the rules. They have decided to make lead abatement voluntary. That means that conscientious, civic minded business people will face unfair competition from those who have no scruples--ignoring the dangers, subjecting workers and families to lead poisoning--while pocketing profits from low-ball bids.

This is a problem I face as a small business owner. There are competitors without conscience who promise what they cannot and will not deliver. Their motto is "take the money and run."

http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/story.asp?ID=849

EPA Abandons Rule on Lead Poisoning from Home Renovations

Monday, May 09, 2005 -- Rep. Waxman, Sens. Boxer and Obama, and Reps. Towns and Lynch protest EPA's abandonment of regulations required by law to protect children from exposure to lead in renovated homes.

The Toxic Substances Control Act requires EPA to set national standards for lead-safe renovation and remodeling practices. These regulations would protect children, their families, and construction workers from one of the largest sources of exposure to lead. Although EPA has avoided making a formal announcement of its decision, the agency has apparently decided to forego issuing these regulations. Instead, EPA plans to ask the construction industry involved in home renovation and remodeling to voluntarily implement protective practices. EPA’s actions do not comply with the law, and they utterly fail to protect our children from a toxic substance that can cause severe developmental damage.

It's only interested in thieves.

That is not protection!