I Support the CPSIA

[historicallypatterns]

...or at least that's what my Congressman thinks!

Maybe a month ago I sent e-mail comments to all of my representatives telling them *not* to support the CPSIA. I'm pretty sure my opinion would have been clear to anyone who read the e-mails, since I included the recommended text from (I think) the handmade toy alliance, along with my own empassioned comments from the position of a small business owner.

Friday, I received in the mail a letter from my Congressman, Eric Cantor (R) of Virginia (also the Minority Whip) thanking me for my SUPPORT of the bill, and reiterating that Cantor had voted for it.

I am so hopping mad. What good is expressing a political opinion if they aides don't even read what you've written.

I'm going to try to call them when I get a chance this week to give them a piece of my mind and make sure they *really* know where I stand on this issue.

Just had to share.

[trendybindi]

That is just...I don't even know! Nice to know we are all taken seriously.

[PearlyGrey]

I wonder how he did in reading comprehension :) Probably didn't pass that part of his SAT's.....

[Former_Member]

At least I didn't vote for him (same historically here, just a different account). I have that to be thankful for (even though it has meant voting for no one, when they run him unopposed).

[Former_Member]

Yeah am right there with you, am so mad politicians just dont care about any emails or letters cause no matter what they do or dont do they are still getting their paycheck, is frustrating that we small business owners dont get any respect, I wish I had the monies to get all the crafters and talented people in Etsy an fly them all to Washington and star nocking on doors and making some noise but any way just wanted to let you know you are not alone in your frustrations.

[spiceberrycottage]

I had the exact same thing happen to me. I sent another letter expressing my disgust and have not received anything back! Ugh!

[Former_Member]

I wrote to my congressman as well and pointed out that the loss of cottage industry will cripple this already failing economy further. His response was only about the revisions for the resale and thrift stores and wasn't that nice? Yes, it's great that they did make those revisions, but it does not affect all the shops here on Etsy or any of the other online shops or brick and mortar shops people use to sell their handmade items. They just don't get it at all. I'm so frustrated and I don't even make items for children, I can only imagine what it's like for those here who do!

[HipKidsTyeDye]

I wrote three seperate very different letters to my Senator. I received three identical (word for word) responses -- sent about 2 minutes apart - he didn't even come close to address my issues. Utterly annoying.

[Former_Member]

what good are they, then? Useless.

[Former_Member]

Oh gosh... that's frustrating. I'm going to keep writing though... I know some of us will be heard!

[Former_Member]

W O W.
I'm speechless.

And I didn't think I could get any madder about this issue.

Bless your heart. After going to all that trouble! Give them a piece of your mind!

[Former_Member]

They really don't get it do they? Without the small business owner, the country is out of business! I read recently that children's clothing manufacturers are comprised of 90% small business. What are we supposed to clothe our children with when they all go out of business because they can't afford the testing?

[Former_Member]

I hammered away at one of my state reps. He is from my home town so I figured if anyone would listen to my rants it would be him. First email I sent him, he responded quickly with a semi canned email and added on some personal touches at the end. I emailed again a couple of months later and low and behold I received a letter in the mail, which included the information on the stay after it was initially released. I was impressed but am still organizing a personal meeting with him when he is in town next as he happens to be friends with my father in law and some of his business partners. I want some answers PERIOD so I hope he is ready to deal with me:P

[Former_Member]

mom2twogals
mom2twogals says:
I hammered away at one of my state reps. He is from my home town so I figured if anyone would listen to my rants it would be him. First email I sent him, he responded quickly with a semi canned email and added on some personal touches at the end. I emailed again a couple of months later and low and behold I received a letter in the mail, which included the information on the stay after it was initially released. I was impressed but am still organizing a personal meeting with him when he is in town next as he happens to be friends with my father in law and some of his business partners. I want some answers PERIOD so I hope he is ready to deal with me:P
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Awesome that you've got an "in" with somebody! My dad has been involved with the local Democratic Party for years, was in the town government here for a long time. We had John Kerry here for campaign stops several times when I was a kid, while he was campaigning for the senate; I haven't received any replies from him to my recent emails though, not even form letters. :-(

[GracieDesigns]

Oh, that would piss me right off!!!

[Former_Member]

Yeah it's annoying.

It was good to see Senator Kennedy in DC to vote for the stimulus package, he's well enough to travel that's a good sign. He had a short press conference where he still seemed pretty fragile though, was stumbling over his words a bit. I hope he goes back to Florida to rest and finish recuperating and doesn't try to push himself too hard too soon though, he is in his 70s after all...

[6060]

Next voting time you know exactly who you don't vote for!
I am so mad about the politicians not listing to the public, that's what they are there for after all and they are not doing their jobs!

[Former_Member]

RuthsCreations says:
Awesome that you've got an "in" with somebody! My dad has been involved with the local Democratic Party for years, was in the town government here for a long time. We had John Kerry here for campaign stops several times when I was a kid, while he was campaigning for the senate; I haven't received any replies from him to my recent emails though, not even form letters. :-(
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I think the only reason he is taking any time for me is because our City is VERY small and tight knit. The families that live here, have been here forever and a day and they stay because of the closeness of the community.His family still lives here and it wouldn't look really great for him to ignore my constant messages as he knows it just takes one big mouth to soil plans next election:) He did reply to my messages well before he realized who I was connected to so I was pleased to see he took time to mail me something beforehand. He had no clue who I was until my father in law was at some meeting for something or another with him and brought it up saying he heard how I was flooding him with messages lol. I'm not certain how they all know each other but my FIL owns a development business and this Representative and his father were local attorneys and I think the FIL may have used them a time or two and some of his family lives in the development the FIL owns ect so it trickles down the line somehow. Our city is like Cheers-everybody knows everyone some way or another lol