Has anyone tried to get Obama's attention regarding CPSIA?

[Former_Member]

Besides just voting on Change.org?

Just today there was this article on CNN.com about Obama's new plan to stimulate the economy...yet nothing is mentioned about saving the livlihoods of all those who won't be able to make and sell children's items after Feb 10 due to huge testing costs. I'll just bet he has absolutely NO CLUE that this is even going on. Much like the rest of the world.

I'll bet that he'd care though...if he really understood the far-reaching negative impact it is going to have on our economy.

How can we get his attention?

Frillerup started this thread yesterday http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5974207

She's collecting photos of items that will be banned after 2/20 and she's going to mail them to as many people as possible. I hope she plans to send one to the Obama transition team.

Maybe we should all do something similar...

[Former_Member]

No offense, but why would he care? Do any politicians REALLY care about us little guys? He's President - not Ghandi, so why should he care about an issue that does not serve his interest? Im sorry to be a pessimist, because this law effects me too - but my experience with politicians is that they promise the world to get elected, but couldn't care less afterward. For all our sakes, I hope I'm wrong!

[Former_Member]

Well, we have to hope in something, right? This law, if not changed, will go SO FAR beyond just affecting the manufacturing alliances in America, representing publishers, toy makers and clothing makers, have all signed a petition urging the CPSC to reconsider.

Just check out this list from Fashion Incubator:

"If children’s clothing manufacturers, big and small, go out of business, it will affect everyone. If a children’s clothing manufacturer closes their doors, they will no longer need:

pattern makers
sewing contractors
embroidery companies
fabric cutters
retail children’s clothing boutiques
retail customers (consumers)
fabric suppliers
children’s clothing sales representatives
sewing machine manufacturers
children’s clothing trade magazines
children’s clothing trade shows
web site designers
graphic artists
printers (posters, stationery, signs, etc.)
in-house staff (secretary, bookkeeper, seamstress)
sample makers
advertising companies
public relations firms
hangtag suppliers
garment care tag suppliers
elastic manufacturers
button manufacturer
metal snap manufacturers
thread manufacturers
zipper manufacturers
silk screen companies
bias tape manufacturers
paper packaging companies
trade show display companies
freight companies
import/export agencies
federal and state tax agencies
federal and state licensing agencies
and hundreds of others "

I just don't think that he and many other politician fully understand what will actually happen if this law goes into effect without any changes.

How can anyone who claims to want to revive the economy turn a blind eye to the horrors of this situation?

[Former_Member]

charity shops (goodwill, ST vincent)
yard sales,
garage sales,
church bazaars....

-___

and how many families rely on the charity shops and yard sales to clothe their kids?

I know I sure did!

[Former_Member]

I agree completely with you on the scale & desperation of the new law - I really hope that it does get changed - it will be a sad day if it doesn't get amended!

[Former_Member]

Since the law was written by Democrats and voted for by both Democrats and Republican's I really think to put your hope in Obama is futile.

[Former_Member]

Honestly, I think it will get reworked in your favor. Just an opinion, but thats what I think.

[Former_Member]

The law was written in response to the public that was outraged that we could be importing toxic toys and pet food and no one was overseeing the importation and safety of said items.

I don't think it was a particularly democrat or republican thing, for those who want to make it a political football.

and I expect that many who voted for it thought it was about toys and such, not fabric and clothing and thrift stores. They were dealing with an economy in meltdown, and wanted to do something to help keep America's children safe in the meantime.

[Former_Member]

Well, I know he is a busy person, but from everything I've heard about him, he really strives to "understand" all sides of the issues and will lend a listening ear.

What are our alternatives? Give up? Move on? Buy everything from Walmart?

We have to at least try. I just recently learned that this law could affect those selling PRINTS for children as well, so now it has hit home.

If I have to call his office every day just to annoy him into finally listening to our plea, I will. I've never been one to just take whatever crap is shoved down my throat lying down and I'm not about to now.

[Former_Member]

RunzwithScissors, that's exactly it. But they ended up punishing those who did nothing wrong in the first place. Now they need to be aware of it.

IF the law gets reworked at all, it will only be because of the HUGE undertaking of individuals who banded together and bombarded the powers that be to get our voices heard.

Sitting around thinking "everything will be OK" would have done nothing.

But I don't think any of us should stop nagging until we get the answers we want. We've fought hard up to this point, but has it been enough?

[Former_Member]

Well I do get to sit around and think "everything will be ok" because the law doesn't affect me. But I applaud everyone involved for taking all this massive action to inform their representatives, its because of that action that I think everything will be ok.

[Former_Member]

maybe it is not President Obama's attention that we need to get maybe it should be the First Lady's...

She was the one that was going around talking to wives and mothers about important issues during the campaign

just a thought

[Former_Member]

thetwistedcow says:
maybe it is not President Obama's attention that we need to get maybe it should be the First Lady's...

She was the one that was going around talking to wives and mothers about important issues during the campaign

just a thought
-------------------------------------------------------

I think you might be on to something!

[Former_Member]

thanks courtney!

i know that she has a myspace page but i am not sure if they are still maintaining it.

if someone could dig around and find out who is on her staff maybe you all could her as an avenue to help shed more light on this.

this is going to effect the stay at home (you fill in the blanks) who are trying to make ends meet.

I think this is a cause that she may be able to do something about

[Former_Member]

well i gotta go back into my sweat shop...got a dog show to prep for in 30 days!!

good luck!

[rabbitwhiskers]

We can vote on change.gov tomorrow and yesterday I went to change.gov because there is a place where you can write your story and it will be read. Obama wants to know what problems people are having and what is important to people to change.

I wrote my story in favor of getting the healthcare system changed and was able to tie in the CPSIA and the economic hardship that will impose on a whole lot of people. I think it would be good if more people also wrote "their story" in connection with the CPSIA law, in the designated spot. I think that's another way of reaching Obama- and then vote tomorrow!

[Former_Member]

I think in the long run, the law will affect everyone, because the economy will be affected so much, by business that go out of business, that less will be spent in shops that do not sell items that are affected!

[Former_Member]

Sorry to be ignorant, but would one of you please explain to me about this CPSIA law. Some how I have missed this. Thank you.

[Former_Member]

Ok, I looked it up. I am writing a letter now. Thanks

[Former_Member]

I voted on Change.org. but I will have to check out Change.gov. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

artistscs28 says:

Just check out this list from Fashion Incubator:

"If children’s clothing manufacturers, big and small, go out of business, it will affect everyone. If a children’s clothing manufacturer closes their doors, they will no longer need:...
*******************

And that's just if a clothing manufacturer folds. If you take a look at that PLUS the economic consequenses if a toy manufacturer, a children's book publisher, and a children's music house folds, we're in some SERIOUS do-do. 'Cause that list will more than triple the amount of industries we will no longer need.

[Former_Member]

Bookstores will go under and lay off people who will no longer go to the movies and buy clothes and Starbucks and it just goes on and on and on and on....

[Former_Member]

dont forget that congress makes the laws not the pres he's just a figure head who gets all the blame for everything the others do wrong.

[Former_Member]

True, but if we can manage to get his attention, he can at least pressure the right people to make the necessary changes.

[Former_Member]

This bill was first introduced in Nov. of 2007, before the meltdown of the world's economies, for actual info about this bill check here...

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-4040