My Letter to My Representative

Here is my latest letter to my rep. I plan to continue to harass them all while I can. Please do the same...but don't copy mine! Write your own with your OWN issues, fears, desires! We can make a difference.

and if not..meet me at the corner at 2 am. I'll sell ya some awesome bibs and blankets... :)

"Hello Mr Scalise! I do hope you will take the time to read this letter and I will not get another form letter.
There is a VERY important issue affecting our local citizens and it needs IMMEDIATE attention! In August, a law was passed, that while with the best of intentions, will ultimately put THOUSANDS if not MILLIONS out of business.
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.html
The CPSIA of 2008 has a great heart--protecting the safety of children. However, it was SO broadly written, SO vague and SO all encompassing that it is LUDICROUS! Basically what it states is anyone who creates for children under the age of 12 will have to REDUNDANDTLY and COSTLY test their items. While I applaud the idea...this law was written with NO REALISM!
I, for example, make and sell online and in craft fairs, clothing, toys, etc for children. I use basic materials you find in your local fabric store. These materials are READILY available for me to use for my own personal use and considered COMPLETELY safe in that aspect.
However, due to this new law, as of Feb 10 2009, SUDDENLY, those VERY SAME materials (i.e. fabric and metal snaps) that I use to create clothing for my own children, will SUDDENLY be considered unsafe if I make them to sell?

This makes NO sense.
None.

WHY would it no longer be safe? Where is there ANY indication lead is in fabric, and 99% of most the items that will now be illegal?
We live in a unsteady economy...people are seeking more natural, yet cost effective ways to live. This law affects not only handmade artists like myself, but thrift shops, small businesses, schools and more! Preschools, daycare, etc..will have to RAISE their prices because the companies they must buy from will have to RAISE their prices for products!

This law is insane. There is no other way to say it.

There needs to be SERIOUS ammendments for small businesses, schools, and very serious changes in the wording. It is ludicrous to think that even though I buy a fabric that is ALREADY acheived high USA standards, I must RETEST the BLANKET I make from it??? That is plain and simply STUPID!!

I pray nightly that change will come, as this law was passed sneakily and quietly in the night. Please help spread light on this. I am VERY VERY VERY active on online forums, radio shows, blogs, etc. Your REAL, HONEST response WILL Be appreciated and reported. I have MANY fellow Louisianians trying to get an answer out of our lawmakers...here's your chance to make us proud!!

Thank you and I hope to hear from YOU (not the auto-office-bot) soon!
Amy Dutsch
Owner and Creator
Mama's Little Monkeys"