Some of you know, and some may not know, that it has been my long time goal to own my own business. The past 8 months I have been diligently, slowly, working my way to piece my life together to get into a position to have one. It has been the one thing that keeps me hopeful that everything will be as it should be, in my mind, one day. It's the one thing that I felt would miraculously "save me" and my so-called life. Yesterday the dreams got all but snuffed out. The Government, God save us, has passed a law that will require all children's items intended for children 12 and under, to undergo lead and phthylate testing in order to be "legal" to sell in the US. Congress really felt they were doing us consumers favors by instating this heavy duty restriction on anything our children could put in their mouths and poison themselves with. Congress didn't really think it through all that hard as this will send small businesses and factories into bankruptcy. So many that February 10th is being dubbed "National Bankruptcy day". So what that means my friends, is that all the kids items out there on the retail and consignment racks will go straight to the landfill as of February 10th, 2009. What does that mean for my business dream? It means, THE END. At least for a Hannah Banana store, or any children's type store for that matter. I can't and most can't afford the expensive testing for each item sold to make sure it is clear of lead and phthylates. This even will close down my Missy Me business as well, as my baby blankets are now going to be considered "poison". How rude. Very very sad as many crafters, quilters and stay at home moms will have their dreams dashed all because of some thoughtless Congress peoples, and some cotton, organic hugging hippies. And maybe, parents who need the government to step in and help them be parents. Obviously, what they do not know, can hurt them and their offspring. I think alot of common sense goes into parenting, and I have enough common sense to know what is not and shouldn't be up for consumption when it comes to my children. I also don't let them run around in the street in front of traffic, stay up all night, and climb on the roof of the house to play. But I don't need the Government to tell me that.
So I'm peturbed and the more I think about this, the madder I get. I guess that is what finally got me to write something in this blog thing that I've had for almost a year now. I jumped on the activism awareness wagon this morning. I wrote my Congressman, I called the TV stations, and I even got interviewed for the Local paper, (maybe front page). One small little mom in Kansas surely can't make it change, but if it makes a difference, and creates awareness... I guess I will just keep on keeping on.
Peace out.
good info on what's going on and who it's affecting...
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/national-bankruptcy-day/
stop by the link below to give your two cents, and add your name, urging our representatives to take action with the CPSC in defining this law.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476
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