Why the April 1st Rally Is So Important

When the idea of the CPSIA Rally was first broached, the proposal seemed simple – let’s get together and talk about the CPSIA in Washington, D.C. - perhaps we could attract some interesting speakers and make an impact with the power of our ideas.  We also were looking for a way to get on the record which had been denied us previously.

Now with the day of the Rally rapidly approaching, I have been thinking about the significance of this event.  Why is the Rally so important?  I think there are many reasons:

1. The Rally Will Educate. Perhaps the most important rationale for the Rally is education.  The complex issues relating to the CPSIA, and its devastating effects, need to be aired.  In addition, the people affected by the law and the advocates pushing for its amendment need to be seen publicly.  The tangible reality will be hard to deny.  The wide destruction wreaked by the law will take on a human face as speaker after speaker tells how their business and industry are being gutted by the CPSIA.  By learning about the law’s consequences for consumers, schools and families, we will lend real meaning to our Amend The CPSIA message.  We intend to use this new body of timely and candid content to inform the debate going forward and to help forge a sensible consensus on safety regulations in the mutual best interests of both consumers and businesses.

2. The Rally Will Put Us on the Record. A great inspiration, call it an imperative, for this Rally was the explicit effort of the Democrat majority to silence its critics.  Our letters have been left unread, our comments omitted from the record, our names expunged from witness lists. Notably, no hearings have been held since the August passage of the CPSIA despite considerable hue and cry – in fact, two hearings were cancelled (one, the Committee on Small Business, was cancelled after witnesses had been called).  After months of frustration over this treatment, it was time to create our own record – since we were never allowed to be on the official record with oral or written testimony.To facilitate a proper record of the effect and impact of the CPSIA, we established a website, www.AmendTheCPSIA.com and began building in content.  The testimony at the Rally will be streamed live (audio and video) and will remain available online afterwards for download and review.  We will also provide a call-in number for those who want to listen live by phone.  Photos, blogposts and tweets will be uploaded all week long to document this historic event and associated visits to Capitol Hill for lobbying.  Finally, we are calling for written testimony and will be posting your letters and presentations.  This enormous body of information about the CPSIA and its impact on the U.S. economy will be available 24/7 for public inspection and reaction.  The record of our advocacy will be created – we will not be denied!

3. The Rally Will Be Democracy In Action. What began as several individuals exercising their Constitutionally-guaranteed Freedom of Speech has turned into a storm of protest from four corners of the country.  Despite many pained cries for help and relief, we have been marginalized by a hostile Congress unwilling to listen.  Having had to resort to creating our own way to join the legislative process, we decided to stage a model democracy event with open dialogue among all parties.  By using advanced Internet features like tweets, streaming video, blogs, and remote interactivity with the Rally floor, we are making a strong statement about our feelings about democracy and the People’s role in U.S. government. We hope to demonstrate that an open process can be trusted, and that civilized dialogue should not be feared.  We can only hope that Congress will watch and listen!

4. The Rally Will Make History. The new Capitol Visitors Center has never hosted a fully-interactive public rally like ours, to our knowledge. The streaming video you will enjoy on Wednesday has not been done before at this location for a meeting other than an official hearing.  We have enjoyed support for our request to offer this feature for the public’s enjoyment, most notably by the capable CVC staff and by our hosts, Rep. John Boehner and Rep. Joe Barton and his team. We are also being supported by Citrix whose GoToWebinar.com software will power the event. As you experience the Rally at home as though you were there, please think about how the world has changed.  As you exchange tweets, write blogposts, email questions to Congressmen and look at freshly uploaded photos and documents posted to the site as events unfold, consider how concepts of democratic processes are changing right . . before . . . your . . . eyes.  Not everyone has the privilege to live history and to know it.  You can say you were there!

Finally, please know that the Rally won’t be the same without your participation. Whether you are at home, at the office, in your car, or in Room HVC201 A&B, your presence and your participation is critical.

The event is being staged for you – so dive in and take part.  Participate by expressing yourself and by reacting to what you are seeing.  If you have your own blog, post your thoughts and consider and discuss these questions:

• How did your view of CPSIA issues change over the course of the day?
• How did you like being involved in this important event?
• What would you like to see happen next?
• Do you feel differently about your country and our democracy after witnessing the Rally?

I hope the event leaves you with plenty to think about and motivated to get involved in our effort to Amend the CPSIA.

See you on Wednesday!
Rick