Important Update. We are being heard, but this is not over!

[#1]

I just received a copy of a letter sent from Congressmen Joe Barton and George Radonovich to The Honorable Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

They have received 1000s of letters and emails, and are citing the cause of the independent producer. They are calling for a hearing to advocate a delay in implementation of the law, a "fine tuning" of the policies.

Click here to download the pdf:

http://tinyurl.com/7r4nn4

That said, nothing has changed yet! More than ever you need to keep those Emails and Calls coming to Henry Waxman and the Committee on Energy and Commerce coming!

Contacts:

Henry A. Waxman

California-30th, Democrat
2204 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515-0530
Phone: (202) 225-3976

http://www.henrywaxman.house.gov/htbin/formproc_za/waxman/zip_authen.txt&form=/waxman/email.htm

Before emailing: Read this great blog post by Kathleen at Fashion-Incubator

http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/dont-throw-yourself-under-the-cpsia-bus/

[Former_Member]

marking w/fingers and toes crossed as i write letters.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for keeping us up to date Matt!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for just a bit of "positive!"

[Former_Member]

Matt, thanks for all the work you are putting into this... Although it isn't directly affecting my shop... the impact is for all concerned here!!! Much appreciated!

[Former_Member]

more letters coming from us - thanks for the info!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the update Matt!!!

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for this ray of hope!

[Former_Member]

Thnaks for the update!

[Former_Member]

Here is my letter...

I am writing today regarding the CPSIA law to go into effect on February 10th 2009. This law greatly affects this nation, not just small
handmade crafters who rely on this as there sole income, or that last leg to stand on before this recession causes everything to come tumbling down.
I don't understand how this law could have been intended for the small time crafter, as obviously such testing and labeling would cause the price to become
absolutely ridiculous and just unattainable.
This will rid this country of all handmade, quality works of art from sweaters, to toys, and children's clothing. Instead we will all be forced into
buying imported items that are shipped in the thousands.
I for one would rather support my fellow Americans, and take some responsibility myself, in choosing and deciding, what is best for my two small girls
I choose who what they eat, I choose how fast to drive, I choose to always have them seat-belted, and I choose what to do when they are sick.
I believe that I should also have the right to choose what toys, clothes, and books I buy for my children. I believe I can choose with great certainty, what is best for my children.
Handmade items here in the US have a greater chance, tested or not, of NOT harming my babies, and I want to keep that right to choose, my American right, standing.
Please amend this law to allow for the micro-producers of handmade items to be excluded from this difficult to understand, and unfair law. Or just take this out of the books until this can be
re-written so that thousands of people, most mothers and fathers and their children, already deeply suffering do to this recession, are not put out of work. I just can't imagine this is something
that Obama had in mind, considering he was so much for "Main Street", and this law affects our Main street more than anything I have seen recently.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the update!

[Former_Member]

marking - thanks!

[Former_Member]

Here are some names and contact information for special interest groups who are supporting this bill, that I found collected on a blog post I will link to below.

"The authors of the DeMint document are correct! CFA (Consumer Federation of America) and CU (Consumers Union) do support this common sense, bi-partisan measure as do other not-for-profit organizations, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Kids in Danger, U.S. PIRG, National Research Center for Women & Families, and Public Citizen. And thousands of concerned individuals across the country have also contacted Senators urging its passage. This legislation is urgently needed to restore consumers’ faith in the products they buy every day.

Contact:
Jennifer Fuson, CU (202) 462-6262
Rachel Weintraub, CFA (202) 387-6121
Ed Mierzwinski, U.S. PIRG (202) 546-9707
David Arkush, PC (202) 550-0107
Celia Wexler, UCS (202) 331-6952"

/quote

http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2009/01/special-interest-groups-behind-cpsia.html

[Former_Member]

BTW, I think the "common sense" part of it may have been the blog author quoting another source.

[MyTheta]

That is a really good letter & post and helps to better understand the issue - thank you!!!

[Former_Member]

Thank you for this update!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the update!

[Former_Member]

Thank you!! I feel like there has been some progress made by voicing our concerns...........

[littledebrarae]

Thanks for the update! I'll doing more calls to reps as we speak!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the update. I had thought this was good news after seeing it posted on ZRecommends, but after reading the Fashion Incubator's post, I'm back to my e-mailing campaign. Her links to Rick Woldenberg's post:
http://learningresourcesinc.blogspot.com/2009/01/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil.html

and Walton Olson's post:
http://overlawyered.com/2009/01/cpsia-continued/#more-8424

were good reminders for us all that Congress still bears the burden to act here!

[Former_Member]

And THEY (our honorable lawmakers) are concerned with the economy? why do i feel like i'm being told a fairytale?

[KGarnerDesigns]

Call, fax & email Waxman! See the OP:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6007869&page=1

[Former_Member]

I don't want this thread buried! Call, fax, email Waxman. He is the guy who can change this, and so far is unwilling. LIGHT a fire under him and make him call a meeting and FIX this for us!

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

Cheers for the update :)

[Former_Member]

Thank you for the info. Marking.