Make Some Calls
Posted by Valerie on February 12, 2009
I called the SBA Office of Advocacy today and was told that CPSIA is a “huge undertaking on many levels,” introduced with “poor timing.” I was encouraged to contact the House and Senate Commerce Committees and “turn up the heat” with “lots of calls.” I was told, “The more calls, the more influence.”
What we need to understand is that the Senate Commerce Committee is restricting hearings on this. Henry Waxman, chairman of the Committee on Energy & Commerce and Bobby Rush, chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection don’t want any reasonable amendment and are refusing to allow any discussion.
They don’t want more hearings. They don’t want more talk. They want compliance. Waxman and Rush are the original sponsors of CPSIA, so you can see why they don’t want the damage they’ve caused to go on the record.
But we do! Make some calls–and make a difference. I’ve been writing, calling, and talking about this for *weeks*, and I’ve only met one person who thinks CPSIA is within the realm of reasonable legislation, one person who thinks it’s okay for the CPSC to censor the canon of children’s literature, one person who shrugged off the suggestion that some harm could be caused as thrift stores discard books, blue jeans, and winter coats.
The vast majority of Americans, who know about CPSIA, can see that it’s junk legislation, but many expect that it will dissolve into oblivion with no effort.
That’s not the way it works. We need to TURN UP THE HEAT on Waxman and Rush–and anyone who can turn up the heat on them. Here are some numbers to call…. How does CPSIA affect you, your family, your business, or your community?
It shouldn’t take too much time to make a few calls. I was only on hold for more than 30 seconds at the White House.
CHANGE THAT! Flood them with calls. “The more calls, the more influence.”
Senate Commerce Committee 202-224-5115
Majority–202-224-0411
Minority–202-224-1251
(Becky Hooks takes care of this for the minority.)
Commerce committee members are listed at http://commerce.senate.gov/members.htm
Call those senators!
House Commerce Committee (202) 225-2927
Commerce committee members are listed at
http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Click on “About the Committee” and then click on the “Membership” tab.
Call those representatives.
You can also call–
White House Comment Line 202-456-6213
Your State Senators (both)
Your Representative
Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy 202-205-6533
CPSIA Sponsor Henry Waxman 202-225-3976 or 323-651-1040
CPSIA Sponsor Bobby Rush 202-225-4372 or 773-224-6500
CPSC Small Business Ombudsman 888-531-9070 or sbo@cpsc.gov
Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship 202-224-5175
House Small Business 202-225-4038
House Committee Education & Labor 202-225-3725 (think: schools and libraries)
Thank you!
Valerie
Buried Treasure Books: Weblog » For the Children? said,
[...] Note: Valerie has helpfully given information about who to contact in Washington, D.C. to protest this craziness, and to exercise belligerently our right to say what we think about it. Let’s make some calls. [...]
Backwater Report » For the Children? said,
[...] this craziness, and to exercise belligerently our right to say what we think about it. Let’s make some calls. [previous post: Rice Christians … Rice [...]
Deb said,
Hi Val,
I’ve still been purchasing old, used books the past couple of years even though I haven’t done much online with re-selling them due to some personal circumstances. I was starting to dig through my multitude of boxed up books to get at it again when all this came up. I’ve been sick about it since I heard of it.
Just tonight I stopped at the Salvation Army thrift store to check on books and so far they have not been taken off the shelves here in my area. I was able to find and purchase 13 or so — some Landmark, Elizabeth Yates, Robert McClung, Millicent Selsam, Louis Slobodkin, McNeer & Ward, Robert Lawson, those sort — all out of huge shelves of newer, not as worthy titles. I plan to go to several other places more frequently in the days ahead to see what else I can find before the news reaches these stores.
With your permission and linking back to your blookblog, may I post the information above at my blog?
Blessings,
Deb from Seven Pillars Book Nook
CPSIA, 1984, and Hang On To Your Vintage Books | A Classic Housewife In A Modern World said,
[...] What we need to understand is that the Senate Commerce Committee is restricting hearings on this. Henry Waxman, chairman of the Committee on Energy & Commerce and Bobby Rush, chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection don’t want any reasonable amendment and are refusing to allow any discussion. ~ Read the rest of it here. [...]
Deb said,
I did go ahead and link to your post here with a quote of the contact info and numbers.
CPSIA chronicles, February 13 said,
[...] also correctly pinpoints one of the key questions in the unfolding political struggle under CPSIA: will there be a hearing [...]
Kim aka Javamom said,
Val,
Thankyouthankyouthankyou for following this so closely; for being so vocal. I am finally coming out of my stupor and fog of disbelief, and have just begun to Facebook and Blog about this. It is difficult to collect all the right thoughts, quotes, facts, and pieces, and you, as well as the “Overlawyered” blog (and Wendi at The Common Room) are doing a stellar job.
I am a bookbinder and restorer AND an HS mom. I have bought books from you in the past for our home library, and now wish I had purchased more. We only have about 4500 books.
I have some contacts in our metroplex, and am trying to formulate ways to get the word out and do some networking with them, as time allows. That will start at an auction in Dallas this weekend…
What else can I say. I am angry, dismayed, but ready to join the fight. I’ve talked to my Democrat and Republican relatives who are all shocked at this new effort to ban books. I will talk to private school board members this weekend, with whom I am sitting at a dinner.
Did you see where Hugh Hewitt finally gave this air time on his show this week? I linked it at my blog. Glenn Beck still has nothing. I have seen him quoted saying something like, “There’s not enough public outrage” or something like that. I still have to research that one, but I did searches of Glenn Becks blog and website, and nothing came up for CPSIA.
:::sigh:::
Kim in TX
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