The recall notice applies to toys that Mattel says were sold after 1 May 2007 in the US. Reading the Mattel website you are led to believe the key is that the toys are marked "Fisher-Price" and not Mattel. The problem is that the company recall notice shows a toy marked "Mattel."

While both the CPSC and Mattel notices also provide information on the packaging codes, how many of us keep that stuff around?

If you are like our household there is a constant flow of toys like these coming in and out. Did we buy that Dora before or after 1 May? That's the problem, who can recall?

So we have policed up the toys with that product number. I believe most are OK. But who wants to take the chance?

I continue to believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg on products coming in from China. We have already seen it with adulterated foodstuffs for our pets and who knows how many other human food stuffs are also contaminated? It is up to companies to insure that their products are safe for their intended use.

Take a look at your cupboard. How many dishes do you own that are also from China? How sure are you that the glaze does not contain lead that leeches into every food and drink you consume? The problem is that based upon the track record of companies making this stuff in China you can't be sure. It is too easy to ask, "How can the government let this happen?" When you do, it leads the the rest of the problems inherent with government intervention in the marketplace.

One thing that politicians will ignore on this latest China product problem is that the company selling the toys, not the government identified the problem. Of course politicians will insist on more regulation which will drive up cost of items to achieve compliance. All will overlook that despite what the 'anti-capitalists' want you to believe, corporations don't want to sell you or your children products that will harm you for one simple reason - it is bad for business and their bottom line. In the case of Mattel the recall will cost them $30 million and a loss of consumer confidence in their products that will have to be regained.

Therein lies the rub. Despite thousands of regulations by government agencies and incessant government intervention in business unsafe products continue to reach the marketplace. Is it because of corporate greed as the politicians and progressive Americans like Hillary Clinton suggest? For those who believe this is the case, one needs to read, "The Problem of Corporate Greed" to understand how government feeds and encourages unethical corporate behavior, real and imagined. It might provide one a new perspective on the whole concept and explain the problem we all face everytime we act as a consumer in America today - whether we are buying toys, pet food, or some other unsafe product from a 'greedy corporation.'