Craftivism: Fight CPSIA

While many think its a done deal I and many others in the blogosphere think that silence is really the worst enemy here.

If you don't know what CPSIA is or think it doesn't effect you think again.
For the Handmade movement this package of wildly overzealous laws will deliver the death blow to thousands of Artisans and Crafters who make wonderful handmade items for children, punishing those who were the alternative to the made in China Madness that started the whole outcry over lead in children's toys.

The law aims to protect children from lead and Pthalates, but has a dirty consequence that was and is still widely underestimated. The effect it would have on small businesses across the country, subjecting all products manufactured for children under 12 to be subject to grossly expensive testing to assure consumers the products are lead and pthalate free, and a very extensive labeling process as well. The laws are very obtuse and generally impossible for the average cottage industrialist to keep up with. If you are a parent click here to see pictures of the items that you may never be able to buy for your tot : http://www.flickr.com/groups/986590@N23/pool/
and these are just a few!

For more information on CPSIA check the fololowing links:
First check out the mumbo jumbo the government says:
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML
Check out these links or just google it:
http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/ (thank you @curiouswork for this one!)
http://overlawyered.com/tag/cpsia/
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/


Now I am asking you to do me the small favor of tweeting @barackobama on twitter EVERYDAY.
I send our president links to Handmade Sites with information on the effects of CPSIA on the Handmade community. You can even just tweet the Phrase Ammend the CPSIA.
I think if the Person reading all of President Obama's tweets realizes that they are getting a hundred tweets a day in regard to this law maybe someone a bit higher on the totem pole will begin to take a listen to our pleas.
I know things don't change and many are discouraged by the information coming down and feeling as though we are not being heard. I firmly believe our government had no idea what it was doing when it did this. I forgive them for their ignorance but I do not forgive their inaction.

I will also be launching an email campaign with a form email, That I hope anyone reading this who is as outraged and perplexed that this law keeps moving closer and closer to fruition will take a look at and send to the White House once a day. Once its in your sent messages just keep hitting send everyday.

If I've learned anything from our president it's that grass roots campaigns really do work and hey remember that whole BE THE CHANGE THING? Don't throw your hands in the air! Do something about it!

Check back tomorrow for the form email or feel free to write your own! And Friday stay tuned for our the Facebook phase of this mini campaign. It's not much but its something. If you have a senator or congressman you would like to include please post the name here. If you are in on this mini campaign feel free to look me up on twitter http://twitter.com/sunflowerexpres and let me know what you are doing!

For a few minutes a day maybe we can make the dent a little bit bigger!
Thanks Sincerely
Lisa
Who can't wait to go back to making kids stuff!!!