Out of Touch Response from PA Reps Office

[#1]

I have been trying to make my voice heard with members of Congress with little effect beside form letters that do not begin to address the shortcomings of the CPSIA.

Last night I began to email the legislative aides to Congressmen. And I received a response that shocked me.

I have included the text of my initial email-- which I didn't find inflammatory only factual. But given his response maybe I was off base? I didn't think so but---

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I am writing to express my concern- and yes, outrage and frustration with the upcoming February 10 do-or die deadline of the CPSIA which was passed in August.

I have been following the CPSIA debate very closely and was pleased to hear that Waxman and Rush called a meeting on Friday of last week to request further clarification of the law. Nevertheless, the exemptions proposed do not even begin to protect artists, craftsmen, and other small businesses.

I am a stay at home mom that embroiders baby gifts. One of my most popular items is a Birthday Bib and Bloomer set.

In order to conform with the law I would need to charge $4268 instead of the $18 I currently charge my customers. Why?

The CPSIA as it now stands requires that I test each product that I embroider for lead and the presence of phthlates. Each component will cost $75 for lead testing and an additional $350 per component for phthalates tests. Since there are 10 different components and each component will need to be tested each time--

bib
velcro on the bib
bloomers
eyelet trim on bloomers
2 fabrics for the bib applique
2 fabrics for the bloomers applique
thread for the bloomers applique
thread for the bib applique

I would have to add $4250 to cover costs of testing-- TO EACH SET SOLD. So as of Feb. 10th when testing is mandated my once $18 set will cost $4268.

I am respectfully requesting that your office work to repel or amend this misguided law-- the goals were admirable but the reality is abysmal.

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The response from the Legislative Director of the Representative's office:

When the new world order come in tomorrow, you can express outrage. But before you get "outraged" give us a chance to do something. Otherwise REMOVE ME from any "outraged" lists. Change is coming, let it happen before you hate your government again.

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And my calm and factual response:


Mr Cxxxxxx,
Thank you for your prompt response.
I do not hate my government. Not at all.
But I do believe I am entitled to my frustration and my outrage.

Congressman Doyle did, in fact, serve as a co-sponsor for H.R. 4040: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Sincerely Yours,
Laurel Schreiber-- Pennsylvania Resident




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Subject: Re: Request for Advice- Recent legislation
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:00:45 -0500
From:
To:

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Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld




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From: Laurel Schreiber
To: Levin, Elissa; Schepis, Christopher; Lavery, Theresa; Louer, Greg; Diffell, Brian; Ingham, Amy; Vaught, Laura; Johnson, Matt P.; Hernandez, Saul; Shapiro, Aaron; Axthelm, Rick; Plevniak, Steve; Cleveland, Scott; Smith, Jonathan; Cavanagh, Pat; Wood, Rachelle; Gaffin, Michael; Manso, Angela; Lichtenberg, Dana; Ramos, Derrick; Stack, Elizabeth; Pepper, Lori; Bahar, David; Bayer, Mark; Bidwai, Neeta; Victor, Kyle; DeBosier, Chris; Jones, Morgan; Dockham, Matthew; Wright, Tuley
Sent: Tue Jan 20 00:08:49 2009
Subject: Request for Advice- Recent legislation

[Former_Member]

inappropriate and request that they discuss with you what change is coming that they are aware of
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Now we have a new president When do the miracles happen!!!Change is upon us. the only things that changed quickly are kids diapers and by the way Have they been tested will they be exempt, will you be able to afford tham??

[Former_Member]

Hi All-
I'm glad it wasn't just me taking umbrage at the email.

For the record, I did receive the response at 2:30am this morning....not sure why he was answering emails at 2:30AM the day of the Inauguration....

Maybe he didn't mean to press "Send?"

[meredithdillman]

You really should send that entire letter with the bill along to whoever you can.

[Former_Member]

Doesn't matter. He DID press SEND. He DOES represent his Boss. This is completely and absolutely an inappropriate way to respond to a Constituent Voter for pete's sake.

You need to use this to get people fired up and then tell them WHAT you were complaining about. Use it as an educational tool to show more people what we're up against.

[Former_Member]

WTF?!?!? You really need to report this person. No matter what time of day or night, it's unprofessional and irresponsible.

I wouldn't be beyond letting the media know, either, but they might not run with a private email.

If you have a blog you could have some fun with it, or send it to someone else already outraged at the CPSIA cr@p to publicize for you.....

[Former_Member]

I would have copies of all of this correspondence to every media outlet so fast that he wouldn't know which way to turn! New world order?????? Did we all miss something?

I would definately contact his boss and let them know what I intended to do with the correspndence as well!

[germandolls]

I am still confused as to what that message really means. "the new world order" part sounds really awful. But then later they say that change is coming and you should not hate the new government???
I am really puzzled.

[Former_Member]

holy. no manners or what.

[Former_Member]

GenerationsTieDye says:
WTF?!?!? You really need to report this person. No matter what time of day or night, it's unprofessional and irresponsible.

Absolutely! I would be LIVID if I got a response like that.

[Former_Member]

I wonder if that went to GW`s email by mistake and he`s just bitter about retirement. It`s the only explanation. LOL.

Either that or Elizabeth Hasselback wrote it.........

[Former_Member]

(considering the poor grammar and syntax, I think somebody has Sarah Palin answering his email)

(ducks. runs. hides.)

[Faeorain]

marking

[Former_Member]

mullishmuse said:
i'm quite certain that was written by an intern manning the desk during the swearing in.


I don't care who wrote it someone else in that office needs to see it! That is not the response that anyone deserves from a government official. And it came from his office. He needs to know.

[Former_Member]

Let's not get partisan folks. This was uncalled for no matter what side of the aisle you're on.

[Former_Member]

I think it should be brought to the attention of whoever is in charge in that office. I'd be making phone calls if that happened to me! I feel like the term "new world order" is derogatory and aimed at our new President's administration. Is that possible?

[Former_Member]

blink. blink.

seriously? whoah.

[Former_Member]

Lucy's Pocket- do you have a blog where you can post that? If it's acceptable to you, I'd like to post it to my blog.

Why is it funny or even intelligent to blame Sarah Palin for this? She not only had nothing to do with it, her politics indicate she would have OPPOSED this stupid bill.

There were 106 co-sponsors of this bill. 105 of them were Democrats. The bill was written by Democrats. Yes, Republicans voted for it, too, but as hard as it seems to be for some people to face the facts, there are only 14 politicians EVER who voted against it, and whether you like it or not, the facts are that ALL 14 nay votes came from Republicans.

Seriously, as long as people keep thinking Bobby Rush, Waxman and the rest of the people who actually promoted and pushed forward this bill are your friends, you're not going to get anywhere. Nor do I get the mindset of those who want to distract from the issues by blaming somebody who wasn't even there, while blaming Nancy Nord (who, according to a NYTImes article, actually FOUGHT AGAINST this bill by arguing the very points you're making with Congress) for what Congress did- it's like Stockholm Syndrome. Some people are snuggling up to the people trying to put you out of business because you can't take off the tinted partisan political glasses through which you interpret the world in order to judge the facts on their own merits.

[Former_Member]

I would also like to copy and post it on my blog if it's ok with you.

[Former_Member]

I sent an email to the Chief of Staff in that office. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

I'm just glad it's not just me that thinks it is out of line.

[PrairieDogPaperCo]

For goodness sakes!!! I'm shocked at that response. It is unbelievable.

[KGarnerDesigns]

What...........seriously????

[Former_Member]

What a bizarre response...

I'm almost freaked out by it!

[KGarnerDesigns]

Thanks, DeputyHeadmistress.

[Former_Member]

My husband seems to think that he is probably sick and tired of hearing about this and getting items sent to their office and email after email. He thinkgs this guy is probably the one person who deals with what they deem to be the "crap" jobs! He said that the guy is probably referring to all of us as the "New World Order" just for making his life miserable!

[KGarnerDesigns]

It doesn't matter if he's sick & tired of hearing about it. That was a totally inappropriate response. I'd be forwarding that to the media or anyone else who would listen to me.
That guy isn't the one facing a loss of income because this legislation is turning his livelihood into contraband.