FDA Globalization Act of 2008

I have a petition to sign, linked at my business-related blog. I don't usually do this kind of thing. But I have to now; my part-time livelihood is at stake, as is that of many people like me. Some of them do this full-time, and they're looking at going out of business if this overreaching piece of shit is passed in its current form.

It's about the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, which in its draft form is poised to drive a buttload of small businesses out of business, through a schedule of registration fees.

I think we're all cynical enough here to just roll our eyes at the FDA. They've proven time and again to not be on the side of the consumer, to be stretched and underfunded, and to really not give a shit about small business in this country. Big Pharma money talks, they listen.

My original post about it is here.

My current post is here.

The petition and information about it is here.

We're hoping for 100,000 signatures. So, feel free to copy post linkages liberally. Donna Maria (the gal running the trade org I belong to) has a video on the petition post as well, that she is inviting people to embed and link to on their blogs and sites.

The natural response to a petition is always, "So, how does this affect ME?"

Well, it is going to eliminate your choice in the marketplace, for starters. And it is going to mean diminished quality of products in the marketplace. Small businesses like me are copied and 'borrowed from' by bigger businesses. Get rid of me, you get rid of a single source of creative inspiration. Get rid of me and all my crafting friends, and you don't have to break too much of a sweat to stay ahead of the curve.

Secondarily, if you know any soapmakers or perfumers (like moi) or anyone who makes balms, unguents, bath products, etc, they're going to be negatively impacted unless they have a HUGE business. And maybe we don't want to factor in $2,000 to $10,000 fees for every unique product into our overhead, because we have a conscience and don't want to lose customers to crazy high pricing.

Thanks for reading this far.