What about the ACLU?

[FlairMare]

OK, I really don't know a whole lot about the ACLU. But are they perhaps something we could get on our side in this?

Would they even be interested in a case like this?

Just a random thought that came to me.

[Former_Member]

It would have to be shown that the CPSIA is a violation of civil rights and civil liberties, and I don't know if this would reach that standard. The ACLU generally has it's hands full at the moment with some pretty major issues, and while I think this one qualifies as major, I don't know that it specifically falls into their arena. I'll contact someone over there and see if it does.

[FlairMare]

I would think that a law that has the potential to destroy millions of small businesses and incomes would surely fall under the banner of civil rights violations?

[aosLeather]

i doubt it, as there is no constitutional provision for being able to operate a small business without government interference.

BUT maybe a big-name lawyer who likes to get headlines would take up the fight for us?? (Jeffery Feiger comes to mind)
;-)

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Ah, but many of us are woman, single mothers, or senior citizens both male and female, and lower income. And while big organizations and unions like the shoe, clothing, library and book publishers have the money and clout to finance and weld some power against this, it will seriously affect those that can least afford it, it can be as seen as a direct assault on the powerless.

[Former_Member]

I've wondered about this, too.

[Former_Member]

Hmmm. Interesting thoughts here!

[FlairMare]

Bumping. Just in case anyone wants to think about it.

[Former_Member]

i like you take on it, faye. that's something we can sell.


(not to mention it's true)

[PaperBloomsEtc]

I agree, but in turn I think they will say it is a cost of running a small business. And if you don't want to pay the testing cost then, run a different business or nothing at all. I just think this law is meant to draw the little fish out of the water. With all the lead tainted toys they imported, everyone went with SAFE handmade toys. And that hurt their bottom line. So how else to MAKE one buy mass produced toys.... make the small handcrafters go out of business! I hope and pray that there is loopholes for the handcrafters.

[Former_Member]

The book issue might very well interest the ACLU. CPSIA is using lead ink (refuted by the American Assoc. of Publishers tests) to "sensor" and cause the mass destruction of books.

This is a slippery slope. Could this same argument as "public safety issue" be used to ban other classes of written material? Thinking ahead to a far extreme, what if our only reading material came from the internet, which certain internet browsers have shown can be sensored quite easily (as they have done in China).