CPSIA Protest Idea

[#1]

OK, this is just a pipe dream, but what if we all took some handmade children's item and mailed it to the office of, say, Rep. Bobby Rush (chair of the committee on Energy and Commerce). Each item would have a label that said:

On Feb. 10, 2009 this item will turn into a
[really big font]HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE[end really big font]
Don't let this happen, modify CPSIA now!

Just think if he had to step over all these cute handmade things staring him in the face!

[ThePigAndThePeacock]

marking this for later

[Former_Member]

I guess I am getting in on this conversation a little late. I just found out about this law today and couldn't be more shocked. Not to mention so upset. I have a little girls clothing line and put my heart and soul into my work. I would hate to have to close my business due to this because I wont be able to afford all the cost of testing. I have written letters to my senator and will just have to wait and see what happens.

[ZuliKids]

I started my children's wear manufacturing business from my home. If these regulations had been in place at the time, I would never have been able to start my own business. I have now been in business 25 years. I have over 300,000.00 in inventory. There is no way that I can comply with testing. I have too many small lots of different styles. This law will bankrupt me and all I have worked for all my life will be destroyed by senators and congressmen who know nothing about the business. I am 60 years old. It is too late for me to start over. Someone with some clout, please stop this insanity.

[Former_Member]

This is what I wrote to the Oprah show:
----------------------
I have a small home based business. I make diapers, children’s clothes, quilts and toys and donate them to charitable organizations, give them to my grandchildren, and occasionally sell them. When the Consumer Protection Safety Information Act goes into effect on February 9, I will no longer be able to sell or donate my items because the cost of testing them for the presence of lead and/or pthalates will be prohibitive. To have one of my patchwork quilts tested would cost around $3000. Each of my quilts is unique, so each would have to be tested. All items used by or intended for children under the age of 13 will need these tests – diapers and covers, sleepers, toys, blankets, quilts, towels, crib sheets, onesies, pants, shirts, dresses, and anything to do with eating or sleeping. If I made a pair of mittens for a child on an Indian reservation I would have to have it tested before I could send it. If I took clothes to a resale shop those clothes for children would have to be tested before they could be sold.
It is my opinion that we need to be testing the factories that made the items that caused the concern in the first place instead of penalizing the thousands of small businesses that help shape the fabric of this nation. Many families use home businesses to make ends meet in an economy that is in crisis. I make clothes for my daughter’s children because she can’t afford to buy clothes for all of them. I made diapers for my granddaughter because she is allergic to the petroleum based products found in disposable diapers. Parents who need these kinds of items and cannot make them need a safe, reliable source for them here, in the USA. Pushing us out of business because of something that happened in a country on the other side of the world is ludicrous at best.
The CPSIA is in dire need of review and reformation. We can’t just let it slide in under the radar.

[Former_Member]

Maybe I'll send a diaper made with rubber duckie flannel on the outside. I'm sure that's gonna be hazardous, too.

[Former_Member]

The panel also faces pressure from consumer groups to keep the standards tight. The only lead in toys the commission ruled was “inaccessible” was that which children couldn’t touch, a standard Millar argued is too tight.
=========================================
I would love to know WHO these supposed "comsumer groups" are, who are arguing to keep the standards tight. Too bad they aren't more specific about who they are. We could send them a few of our "hazardous handmade items" as well!

[Former_Member]

Morning!

[Former_Member]

Hummmm ...........

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

i just wrote oprah and will be sending felt food from my other store to rep. rush! =]

[Former_Member]

Should we set a date for mail out so that they arrive within a tight time frame?....a flood of "HAZARDOUS" goodies. I think this would really make someone take notice, if not we'll all me standing in the moonlight of a dark alley making hand offs of our "dangerous" teddies, clothing and bibs!

[theThousandWeedMarsh]

i'm going to bump this one.

[Former_Member]

I thought I would write a quick press release to our papers and let them know about this. Send then a sacrificial Tshirt or Onsie.

[Former_Member]

I am sending this to our local art councel rep. She will flip her wig when she reads this... also I well send her the idea of the shipping of items to the senator.

Our art councel represents 3 counties and nearly 1700 artists.

[Former_Member]

This is a great idea. I drafted a letter and Laura is going to send one of her bibs to Congressman Rush. I have also sent messages to the CPSC, both TX senators and our congressman, Senators Inouye (HI) and Pryor (AR) who proposed the bill initially, Speaker Pelosi and President-Elect Obama.

We are confident this outpouring of protest will convince them to listen to reason, but voicing our opinions cannot hurt.

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

Maybe we could send things directly to the people who are responsible for this stupid thing.
Here's a link to their announcement.
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=d0d3...

[rakubuttons]

This law affects everyone, everywhere. It limits consumer choice and decreases the economic resources of all of our buyers. If you haven't written someone by now you should. Right now.
Contact the CPSC direct with this EASY form. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/info.aspx

Go to the forums and search CSPIA to find links or check the sample letter here: http://sites.google.com/site/handmadetoyalliance/how-you-can-help .

Your reps: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[Former_Member]

I do! I'm 20 minutes from Washington D.C.... I feel like calling to set up a lunch meeting with this guy!

I'm tempted to get the media involved at this point. I would loose so much money if this law goes through...therefore impacting the services that are provided to my 6 children.

I have 6 children, one of which I'm supporting in college at the moment. If this law takes effect I'll have to declare bankruptcy and my oldest son, who is a junior, will have to drop out of college.

Makes me furious to think about how this could impact our lives... all of our lives.

[Former_Member]

Mellika says:
I would loose so much money if this law goes through...

It already has. It is a law as of lkast August. :(

[Former_Member]

... i'm certainly going to pick an item from my shop and send out tomorrow....here is the idea..send an item along w/ a copy of the note below to:
The Hon. Bobby Rush
Chairman Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade
and Consumer Protection
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515


“Don’t let this happen!” I am a designer who makes and sells one of a kind clothing for children. It is financially and physically impossible for me to do all the lead testing that the CPSIA will require on Feb. 10th, 2009. Since all of my products will be legally classified as “hazardous substances” on Feb. 10th, 2009, I am sending one as a gift to you. How else am I going to get rid of it, if it will be a felony to sell it? Hopefully you can find something to do with it before Feb. 10th too , so that you do not have to call in the hazmat team to take it away. Of course, Rep. Rush, if your committee would reconsider the interpretation of the CPSIA, I might not have to go out of business.

Sincerely,

LizzyAnne Clothing Co.

[Former_Member]

Would you believe that I sent a letter to my Senator's office (Ted Kennedy!!) and I got back a form letter thanking me for my interest in the FDA. Totally the wrong TOPIC!!

I used to work as an intern for a Senator, man, these interns and legislative assistants are getting so sloppy!

[Former_Member]

Ok, I am unsure if you laready have done this or even know about this, so here goes! Obama will be speaking about 10 things that we as Americans get to vote on.

He has a site you can go vote on and even if you do not make chiildrens good this will effect you if you have children because the cost of items that will be available will sky rocket!!!

SO PLEASE Go VOTE because we can make a change to the CPSIA http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

[Former_Member]

Thanks 3Hands2Hold... going on to vote now!

[Former_Member]

Is everyone completely sure that killing the hand made toy industry is an "unintended consequence"?