Do you really think it will be changed?

[FlairMare]

I admit I don't sell online. I probably would sell here, but I have no way to post pictures on my computer. But I do make crafts that *might* be affected by this STUPID and horrid law!

I have been terribly upset and depressed by all of this. Like you, I don't want to keep reading all of this, but I have to. I have to know of any breakthroughs. Any ray of hope.

Do any of you still believe (not just hope) that something will be done with this? I can't imagine the damage it'll cause if not. Surely it can't stand for long as it's currently written?

I still think the best we can do is to keep on making as much noise as possible. All of us. Together. And don't back down until they do.

Right now some people remind me of dogs waiting for a big juicy bone (sensible change in this law). Instead, they jump on a crumb (the slightest official re-wording which really doesn't change much of anything)and are satisfied with that, so they stop hoping and trying for the bone.

I say we need pack mentality. We all need to keep barking, keep barking, keep barking- and don't get too distracted by the "crumbs" that get tossed our way. We still want and need that bone!

KEEP contacting your reps. no matter how many times they ignore you or send patronizing form letters. KEEP contacting the media. Keep it up!

If we give up, it's over. They win. I have no intention of giving up until there is no hope left.

[thegrandmatouch]

Thanks! I just posted that I have done all of this with no result. Thank you for reminding me not to give up!!

[FlairMare]

I think they want us to give up. We need to show 'em WE WON'T!!!

[thegrandmatouch]

I won't give up!!

[Former_Member]

I don't think 'regular' folks (non-crafters) get how this is going to affect them!

[FlairMare]

I agree. The general public has no clue.

[Former_Member]

FULL FORCE after tomorrow!

[FlairMare]

YAY! I feel just a smidgen better now. DON'T QUIT NOW- WE'RE JUST STARTING!!

[Former_Member]

Aside from contacting my state Congressmen I also sent emails (and will follow up with hard copies and maybe some actual samples) to Congressional Leadership. Here's the link to their contact information:

http://www.house.gov/house/orgs_pub_hse_ldr_www.shtml

[Former_Member]

Oh I agree with the common people having no clue about this. I have tried multiple times to tell my local moms site about this but I don't get any responses back on it. When most people think Child Product and Safety, they are thinking recalls, not end of the world for handcrafters.
Also, I was trying to explain this to my hubs the other day. He didn't beleive me untill I handed him some actual proof of the signed documents ( well copies, anyhow) he was in shock. I don't think we the people are going to stand for it. I don't know; if Obama is so for the small business owners, do you think he will take a stand with us?

Anyhow for my part; I am blessed to have a relative in the news business and have been pleading with him to get someone to covery this story. We cannot let this go blind any longer. oh and I have also contacted my local activist group; they are going to go balistic when they find out how much will be filling the landfill.

[Former_Member]

FlairMare,
Why can't you post photos on your computer?
Helene

[Former_Member]

To answer your question. I absolutely think it will be changed. Many of the people who originally passed the law now realize that it needs changes. They have admitted that *this* was NOT the intent of the law and that the full reach was never considered when they wrote it.

What will the changes be, and how long will it take. Who knows. But do I believe it will be changed, and will it be in our favour.

I strongly predict that the answer is yes.

[RetrologyDesigns]

Yay for pester power! Not when my kids do it, though! ;)

[Former_Member]

I think it will change too.

[Former_Member]

I think it will change too....

[Former_Member]

I think it will be changed, and quickly...maybe even before the 10th, but who is to say given all the red tape. How about people printing up some little flyers (like 6 to a sheet of paper so inexpensive) and passing them out at craft fairs, supermarket parking lots or whatever to get the word out?

[RebekahsBowtique]

HIPMELON:

I agree with you. I believe it will be changed. The letter I saw written by the 4 congressmen (including Bobby Rush and Waxman) to Nancy Nord to GET IT IN GEAR AND DO IT BEFORE FEB 10th.... what aggrevates me is the CONGRESSMEN approved this bill and it was signed into law now they seem to be pointing their fingers at the CPSC to "fix it" ....when the CPSC can only do what the law states. The CPSC can not change the law, only congress can by introducing a bill with changes. Sorry I am rambling.... :)

[FlairMare]

Thanks everyone for your replies. (TheHumbleSeamstress- I can't post pictures because I don't have a digital camera nor a scanner that works with my computer.)

I know how we can get Obama's attention about this: everyone bring your kids outside the White House. Thousands, no- millions of moms and kids. Then, on the count of three...

"WAH!!!"

[TheFurkidStudio]

YES. YES. And YES.

Even if it doesn't happen by February 10, we need to keep the volume turned way up on this thing until some concessions are made for handmade things.

Never give up on this.

And PLEASE don't close your stores. If you must, go on vacation mode or add adult items until things get fixed.

As for me, I will continue to buy handmade things for my daughter wherever I can find them!

[FlairMare]

Yeah, there's nothing in the law that says you can't *buy* is there?

[TheFurkidStudio]

I think if we choose to "endanger" our own children, it's our right. LOL

[Former_Member]

I love everyone's "Never Give Up" mentality. I have been involved in local and state issues where the powers-that-be have told us 'It's a done deal', 'There's nothing you can do about it', etc., and we did not give up, and we DID get things changed. Grass roots is so important. JulianWysocki, you mentioned passing out fliers at craft fairs. That's a great idea, but if this thing isn't changed, there won't be any craft fairs. There won't be any church bazaars because Grandma can't sell her handknit baby booties anymore. There won't be any PTA raffles, or fundraisers. I have made many baby quilts for silent auction fundraisers - but won't be able to after Feb. 10. So much of the handmade community is geared towards children, and that will all go away. Maybe that is another angle we can use to get people to sit up and notice what is going on here. NEVER GIVE UP!!!

[Former_Member]

I absolutely believe it will be changed, and I haven't stopped contacting my elected officials. I won't quit contacting them until it has been changed, and I won't quit my business, which I have worked SO hard for, until I am forced to. We CAN get this changed!

[Former_Member]

Has anyone thought about contacting our new First Lady? Might she be sympathetic to WAHM's, trying to raise their children, bring in some extra income to help support the family? She has young children, and is she going to want to have to buy only mass produced toys and clothes from China for her daughters?

[Former_Member]

mclean2612 says:
Yay for pester power!

* * * *

THAT's BRILLIANT.

Oh, someone PLEASE made some cute buttons and drawings illustrating Pester Power.

I'd buy them. For real.