Exercising our Rights as US Citizens

I might be one of the most unlikely actors behind the growing momentum to amend the CPSIA.

I was born in France many years ago and grew up in and around Paris until my adulthood. I moved to the United States in the late eighties and a job opportunity after graduate school started the path from which I have not deviated since. In 2002, after 10 years of permanent residency and the attacks on 9/11, I decided to apply for citizenship. It was clear to me that I could have easily been one of the victims that day (I had been in one of the Towers a couple of weeks before for a business meeting), so these attacks were not only on America but, for me at least, they became much more personal: an attempt to destroy me and my family (my wife and I have two boys). In July 2002, I became a proud US citizen surrounded by my family and about 150 other applicants representing over 120 nationalities! I can still visualize the room in one of the federal building downtown Chicago and the words of the judge as we completed the oath of all allegiance: “As of today, you now have the same rights and duties as any other US citizens, thanks to the constitution of the United States”.

When I joined Learning Resources and Rick Woldenberg in 2005, my focus was on a very different goal. I wanted to find a place where I could use my business experience and leadership skills to help a group of highly committed individuals while trying to make a positive contribution in the world (in our case providing high quality and innovative products to create engaging learning experiences in the classroom for young kids and their teachers). I also wanted a very different working environment than what I had experienced up to that point. It was a big risk and a challenging experience at times, but after three years working with Rick and the entire team at Learning Resources, I can honestly say that I could not have made a better decision.

I have also been increasingly active in various local communities. Among other things, I actually got involved early on in the Obama presidential campaign. So, it was a real disappointment for me to see some members of the Democratic Party unwilling to dialogue or listen to our point of view on the CPSIA simply because it does not fit with their agenda. The last few months have been extraordinary challenging for all of us with the combined effect of this poorly written and unnecessarily overreaching law and the dramatic slow down in our economy. So far we are surviving these combined ‘tsunamis’ but the pressure and stress are extreme. Yet, despite all that tension, I feel more energized and alive today than I have ever been.

Next Wednesday as we express our grave concerns about the unintended consequences of the CPSIA and share our suggestions on how we can provide safe products without destroying a huge part of our economy, we might at times feel that the mountain is too steep or the challenge too great. However, I have learned over the years and from personal experience that our country is truly unique. While imperfect at times, we all try to live by Lincoln’s words: “the government of the people, by the people, for the people”. The fact is that, next Wednesday, we are going to be able to demonstrate to the entire country what a true democratic debate really is. This is possible because of the enduring persistence of a few and the openness of many to guarantee our freedom of speech. Notably, this will happen despite repeated pressures from a few politicians who think in terms of “us and them” or “if you are not with me than you are against me”. And like in the “not so distant” past, these type of politicians will fail because they do not understand, wrapped up in their self-righteous arrogance, that they stand against the very principle upon which our country has been founded and has thrived for over 200 years: they are here to serve the people and not some special interest group, which ever it might be. And in order to serve the people they would be well advised to listen and dialogue with them.

I remain optimistic and confident that, in the end, better judgment will prevail. But it is essential that a meaningful and sincere dialogue be allowed. I always knew that our country was very special and proud to be a part of it. But today, I feel incredibly grateful to have a chance to truly exercise my right of free expression as an American citizen, to be a model to my children and to fulfill my pledge of alliance to the constitution, honor the words of encouragement from ‘my’ Chicago judge and strengthen my bond to each one of you.

Sincerely,
Etienne Veber