Is anyone out there aware that the new CPSIA law goes into effect on Feb 10, 2009?
I've been raising heck about this law, because it means NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL GENOCIDE!
I'm probably on every Congressman's poop list after weeks of fighting this law, along with hundred of other small business owners. This law is a serious over-reaction to the lead tainted toys that were imported from China. I've been leading the charge from the Native angle, because this law will seriously affect our business. More importantly, it will affect ALL Native children taking part in our cultures, even those in Canada. Exports to Canada will be banned! The law is far too overzealous, and it's potential damage is monstrous while not making our children any safer!
This law essentially states that ALL items produced and sold for children under the age of 13 must be tested for lead & other chemicals, even items which don't contain lead or only in trace amounts. Indians and other home-based artisans & small businesses cannot afford the expensive testing & tracking labels required for handmade items. It will, in effect, make it ILLEGAL to make & sell baby moccasins, crib quilts, cradleboards, dolls, jingle dresses, dance bells, bustles, roaches, buckskin dresses and ALL regalia, language books, custom t-shirts & team uniforms, toy bow & arrows, and all items for children. The law will put hundreds or thousands of small businesses OUT of business, and add thousands to the unemployment rolls. Many shops are already closing on Jan 31 since their entire inventories will become "hazardous" overnight and they won't be able to pay another month's rent. I've been working on childrens orders day & night to beat the deadline, and just finished listing our unfinished childrens pieces for sale on the website.
On a personal basis, I feel like someone is ripping my heart right out of my chest. Making regalia for children is like medicine for the soul. There is NOTHING on this earth that makes us happier than sending another child skipping off into the powwow arena with the supreme self confidence that they get from dancing. Sure, this law is going to interfere with existing federal laws protecting Native Rights. But who can afford to be the Supreme Court test case? Is there anyone out there that has Obama's ear?
Unless Congress amends the law, or the CPSC (dragging their feet) issues ADEQUATE exceptions to the law before Feb 10, stores will be pulling millions of dollars in childrens inventory to destroy it. Banks will lose their loan collateral. It will be illegal to donate or export untested childrens items, whether they contain lead or not. The law has been ruled retroactive, so it doesn't matter if a book or doll is 50 years old, it's included in the law. All untested items will become "banned hazardous goods". The Nat'l Library Assn has told libraries to pull childrens books from the shelves or ban children under the age of 13 from libraries.
This is NOT a JOKE!! The legal opinions are in. This is a very real train wreck waiting to happen. Opponents are calling it National Bankruptcy Day. You can read more about it on our web page called Native American Cultural Genocide, the first link on our website front page at littlecrowtradingpost.com You can Google CPSIA or view YouTube videos on CPSIA, and read what Forbes, NY Times, Washington Post, Twitter and other sources say about it. Once you understand what's going on, you need to CALL your own state's Senators and Representatives in their Washington DC offices, and make your objections to the CPSIA known! Nobody wants lead toys in the hands of children, but this law is a disaster! It's 15 days and counting until Feb 10 - National Bankruptcy Day. Make Yourselves Heard!!






I'm probably on every Congressman's poop list after weeks of fighting this law, along with hundred of other small business owners. This law is a serious over-reaction to the lead tainted toys that were imported from China. I've been leading the charge from the Native angle, because this law will seriously affect our business. More importantly, it will affect ALL Native children taking part in our cultures, even those in Canada. Exports to Canada will be banned! The law is far too overzealous, and it's potential damage is monstrous while not making our children any safer!
This law essentially states that ALL items produced and sold for children under the age of 13 must be tested for lead & other chemicals, even items which don't contain lead or only in trace amounts. Indians and other home-based artisans & small businesses cannot afford the expensive testing & tracking labels required for handmade items. It will, in effect, make it ILLEGAL to make & sell baby moccasins, crib quilts, cradleboards, dolls, jingle dresses, dance bells, bustles, roaches, buckskin dresses and ALL regalia, language books, custom t-shirts & team uniforms, toy bow & arrows, and all items for children. The law will put hundreds or thousands of small businesses OUT of business, and add thousands to the unemployment rolls. Many shops are already closing on Jan 31 since their entire inventories will become "hazardous" overnight and they won't be able to pay another month's rent. I've been working on childrens orders day & night to beat the deadline, and just finished listing our unfinished childrens pieces for sale on the website.
On a personal basis, I feel like someone is ripping my heart right out of my chest. Making regalia for children is like medicine for the soul. There is NOTHING on this earth that makes us happier than sending another child skipping off into the powwow arena with the supreme self confidence that they get from dancing. Sure, this law is going to interfere with existing federal laws protecting Native Rights. But who can afford to be the Supreme Court test case? Is there anyone out there that has Obama's ear?
Unless Congress amends the law, or the CPSC (dragging their feet) issues ADEQUATE exceptions to the law before Feb 10, stores will be pulling millions of dollars in childrens inventory to destroy it. Banks will lose their loan collateral. It will be illegal to donate or export untested childrens items, whether they contain lead or not. The law has been ruled retroactive, so it doesn't matter if a book or doll is 50 years old, it's included in the law. All untested items will become "banned hazardous goods". The Nat'l Library Assn has told libraries to pull childrens books from the shelves or ban children under the age of 13 from libraries.
This is NOT a JOKE!! The legal opinions are in. This is a very real train wreck waiting to happen. Opponents are calling it National Bankruptcy Day. You can read more about it on our web page called Native American Cultural Genocide, the first link on our website front page at littlecrowtradingpost.com You can Google CPSIA or view YouTube videos on CPSIA, and read what Forbes, NY Times, Washington Post, Twitter and other sources say about it. Once you understand what's going on, you need to CALL your own state's Senators and Representatives in their Washington DC offices, and make your objections to the CPSIA known! Nobody wants lead toys in the hands of children, but this law is a disaster! It's 15 days and counting until Feb 10 - National Bankruptcy Day. Make Yourselves Heard!!






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