WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD!

Yep, here we find ourselves over half way through the year of 2010, and things are changing faster than we can keep up with them! ‘Big Brother’ (government) has decided once and for all that there is no way that you and I can take care of ourselves and make proper decisions. One new law, regulation or requirement comes one right after another from both the State and Federal Governments. The latest of these ‘wonder regulations’ is the Federal Lead Paint Standards that will require Contractors starting as of last April 22, 2010 that work on any home built before 1978 to be trained and complete an 8 hour U.S. EPA accredited lead safety course and become certified. Of course, besides the cost of the course and transportation to get there, it takes another $300.00 to get the certification as a renovator to be ‘allowed’ to work on a 1978 or older structure that hasn’t been determined not to contain lead. And, the government isn’t kidding as a Contractor found violating this new law is subject to fines up to $37,500.00. ‘Ya think that might run the cost of that little remodel up a tad?

The EPA has given a short reprieve until October 1st of this year before they start enforcing this new law because they came to the realization there just wasn’t enough trainers and facilities to get all of the affected Contractors trained in the short length of time they had originally set out. But, no matter, this is still a tight schedule and a real ‘pain’ for the Contractors involved. And, that brings to mind how anyone can justify the huge amount of time, energy and money it is going to take to get this program and law into action, and, just what will it take to keep the monstrosity going into the future? More government, more laws/rules/regulations and of course way more money. Where will it end?

I’ve taken some classes and done some reading on lead and lead exposure so I know it is nothing to scoff at. Lead can be dangerous to your health, especially infants and children. So I see the underlying reason for such activity required by the law of Contractors working on 1978 and older structures, but does it have to be a law? What about just educating the Contractors and the public about lead and its dangers? Which begs the question; how did all of us that grew up in the years prior to 1978 (and even up until the law is actually fully instituted) ever live? I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of this ‘nanny state’ we find ourselves being totally controlled by! What’s your thoughts?