My exchange with Representative Jay Inslee re: CPSIA

I received a reply to my concerns re: CPSIA from Rep Jay Inslee (I gotta give him credit for replying - it's certainly more than I can say for so many others) today - and I sent a prompt reply, in return.

I'm posting my exchange here and hope fellow parents, business owners and other concerned citizens will get involved and continue to fight to save small business (while, ironically, championing safety in demanding REPEAL of CPSIA).

From Jay Inslee:

Dear Mrs. Benz: Thank you for further contacting me regarding the implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you and I apologize for the delay in my response.

I would like to assure you that I do understand your concerns. It was not the intent of Congress to disadvantage toy manufacturers who have a history of providing safe, reliable products. Please rest assured that I will continue to keep your thoughts and concerns in mind as we move through the legislative process. It is great that we have people in this country who are so actively engaged in helping make public policy. Please keep in touch.

Very truly yours,

JAY INSLEE Member of Congress


My REPLY:
Note: I'm sure others can give you more politically correct guidelines in contacting your reps - I tend to do my own thing... (a friend once joked that I'm a cross between Martha and Dr. Phil - yep, I'm gonna say it like it IS!!).

Dear Mr. Inslee,

I appreciate your reply. Note, I am one for getting right to the point and, right off the bat, I can assure you that, for me, hope is NOT a plan and INTENT means NOTHING.

First, I do not manufacture TOYS - if you have read this law, you would know it impacts a WIDE variety of manufacturers and retailers, as well as libraries, thrifts, etc.

Secondly, the INTENT of those who voted for a FAILURE of a law means nothing to me, my business or my children's future.

Just as I was, after years of hard work, finally making headway with my marketing, CPSIA devastated my business, along with many others (and, come August, you're going to see many more simply closing their doors - how on earth will that help both our state and our union, Mr. Inslee, is beyond me).

Beyond my concerns of household economics, I am no longer able to employ moms and military wives; to contribute to the benefit of others who want to work from home and do meaningful work for society in raising children with actual parents at home.

As you may know, the stay issued by the CPSC means NOTHING when each state attorney general is now an official deputy and many have sworn to ignore the CPSC's stay. I, like many other upstanding small business owners, refuse to do business in violation of the law. So, please correct me if I'm wrong, but, the FAILURE of our congress members to match "intent" with the "letter" of the law is a devastating blow to all honest small business across our state and country.

In FACT, CPSIA fails to make our children more safe - please review the EXPERT testimony at the hearing in D.C. at www.amendthecpsia.com and tell me, Mr. Inslee, what is your view? Note, I don't want to hear political mumbo jumbo, promises or platitudes - I want a direct response - what is your view of this failure of a law and what are you going to do about it, on behalf of my business, family, community and country?

Plainly, when I see ACTION lining up with what matters for my children the most (healthy business, healthy freedom, healthy constitution and "representing" representatives they [should] be able to trust to work in their ACTUAL best interests in conjunction with their PARENTS - not special - interests) then I shall be a great support to you. Until then, I shall be a great challenge.

Please do keep me posted on your effectiveness in making progress to amend / repeal CPSIA, as I will continue to keep you posted on my concerns. Also, please know that many of us are now taking the matter of becoming increasingly more politically involved with much greater seriousness in our community. I shall be campaigning in my community and beyond, to get as many parents involved on as many issues as possible.

Sincerely,
Tristan Benz


Fellow business owners and parents - I hope you share the understanding that contacting your representatives is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT to all of us parents / citizens in America (not just business owners).

If you care about being the ones with the authority to deem what's in the best interest of OUR children, please do NOT allow Congress to get away with this damaging law! Anyone who fails to speak out is complicit in any law that results in our diminished authority as parents and the diminished prosperity / authority of our children, in THEIR future America.

Regardless of your political leanings, I hope you'll agree hat Parent Power should never be turned over to Big Brother - never! So, right, left or center, please, make your voices heard. Please view the hearings and expert testimony - get educated about YOUR LOSS (and the rise of mass produced items while small, handmade disappear in America) here... Please, contact your legislators and ask them to put their egos aside, READ the actual TRUTH and call a failure a failure. Tell them to REPEAL CPSIA and start from scratch - this time, by consulting WE THE PARENTS!!

Please - I urge you - email, twitter, call your representatives today. Because this is NOT just about small manufacturers. It is not just about retailers. It is not just about libraries and thrift stores and ATVs (go read about it on my blog, on Rick Woldenberg's blog and at Overlawyered's "CPSIA Chronicles" and Headmistress' blog). It is about POWER - who should have the authority and say-so over OUR choices and OUR children, in America.

If this latest news item doesn't convince you that we parents are in the line of fire and being undermined right and left...I don't know what will.

Copyright 2009 Tristan Benz, Maiden America (a Pro-Parent / Pro-Childhood company).