Countdown to the Rally – April 1st is Tomorrow!

We are now working full speed ahead across multiple fronts.  People from around the country started to arrived in DC ealier today and have literally moved on the spot to the U.S. Capitol and start our education campaign on how the CPSIA is so damaging to all of us for no benefits.  As a result of all these efforts, a number of very productive meetings with Congressional staffers have occurred today.  There is a lot of anticipation ahead of the Rally and more participants are joining every hour.

Glenn Beck and CNN have confirmed that they will cover our event with a camera crew.  All the political press from DC will be represented and we are also expecting several national newspapers (WSJ, etc).   Lou Dobbs has also expressed interest in our story.

Right now, we are briefing all our speakers, representing more than 12 different segments of the Children’s Products World.  The event is set up to be an outstanding demonstration of the vitality of our democratic process when we, the citizens, decide to take back the power of free expression that is granted by our cherished U.S. constitution.

Many representatives and senators will attend and speak at the Rally.  Considering that the initial vote on the CPSIA was so universal across both sides of the political spectrum, it is extremely encouraging that a number of elected officials are not only realizing that the law needs to be modified but are also willing to step forward and to push for the right solution.

Sadly, it appears that Representative Waxman (California) and his staff continue to be engaged in ‘behind the scene’ tactics of intimidation with their fellow Democrats.  We believe that a number of Democrats do understand that the law needs to be changed but are being pressured not to appear to support our attempt to create a genuine, bipartisan and concrete dialogue.  Apparently, Rep Waxman recently called for a meeting at the exact same time as our Rally.  How pathetic is that?  Please remember that this is the same fellow who, a few weeks ago, forced the cancellation of a Hearing set up by the Small Business Committee to allow for our stories to be told.

I remember the bullies I had to face in high school.  I would not let them intimidate me or worse take advantage of my friends.  Like I stood then (I may have received a few knocks as a result…), I will stand now for our constitutional right to have our voices heard and will certainly not be intimidated by such a ridiculous abuse of power.

Tomorrow cannot come soon enough!

Etienne

Countdown to Rally: April 1st is only 2 Days Away!

If you are regularly following our updates you may already be getting a sense of the intense level of activity behind the scenes!   Some of us are already in DC.  Most of us are still wrapping up our daily tasks, whether work or home related, full of anticipation for our respective travels to Washington.

This evening, my 10-old son, my wife and I will pack my suitcase together and talk about the significance of this trip.  Maybe we will take a picture or two?  I hope that he will remember this day for the rest of his life and what it means to stand for what you believe in; I know I will. Like for so many of us, I found the absurdity of this law, combined with the outrageous ‘partisan’ stance of some Democratic leaders, when none is warranted, to have created a sense of a ”personal mission” within me.

Rick and I have discussed on several occasions why we feel so passionate about this issue.  The same answer keeps coming back.  No matter the consequences, we must stay true to the core values we aspire to live by: provide safe and innovative products for our children, work with people who really care about education, abide by the law of the land, be honest in everything we do and be loyal to those who have supported us over the years.  What we have found over the last few months, somewhat to our amazement, is that so many of us across all the industries affected by the CPSIA share the same core beliefs.

The fact that so many are now willing to make a public stand for what is right and not be intimidated by a few politicians who do not understand the implications of the law they passed, refuse to accept responsibility for their mistakes and then try to hide behind grandstanding statements of good intentions, is a feeling worth fighting for!

If you are in a children product related industry, apart from very few exceptions, you make a daily personal commitment  of good intention to make the world a better place.  Providing safe products to our children is not and never was the issue.  The time for stating good intentions is over.  It is time to fix the mess that was created by an extremely poorly written law.  It is time for leaders to be leaders.

See you all in Washington DC.

Etienne

Countdown to Rally: April 1st is only 3 Days Away

It is Sunday morning in Chicago and the city is under a white cover of snow. Winter is still here!

With a few moments of quiet and peace to reflect upon what may happen over the next few days, my thoughts are focused on a sense of hope and determination.

I have hope that:

• the few Democratic leaders who are still refusing to allow an open debate will come to their senses;
• the stories we share are recognized as human testimony instead of individual cases. There are so many sad stories to share of those affected by the overreaching impact of the CPSIA.
• there will be renewed dialogue and cooperation as we find answers to the questions below:
  • Are these few leaders afraid to hear the truth? Are they afraid they may regain a sense of humanity?
  • Will they miss this unique opportunity to do the right and decent thing?
  • Will they have the courage of their convictions and participate in a true democratic debate?
  • Will they have the strength of character to listen to our collective testimony?
  • Will the White House stand by silently while all this is unfolding?
  • Are President Obama’s eloquent words of a new political leadership real or empty?

I am determined:

• to share the stories of so many that are being unnecessarily hurt by the unintended consequences of the CPSIA.
• to speak up for those who do not make the newspapers headlines, whose personal finances and potential bankruptcies do not attract the “bailout’ money of our government.
• to create a sense of urgency in order to give some relief to all these men and women who are hardworking and committed to their families and communities. Relief for people whose creative and entrepreneurial spirits should not be squashed.
• to educate the public across the country and within our respective industries enough that they denounce the absurdity of this law and the lack of democratic process associated with its implementation.

I pray that those who have the power to solve the situation do not stay away in the comfort of their “ivory towers” but pay attention to our voices and respond to our request for dialogue.

The sun is now shining in Chicago. Spring is on its way. It is time to teach our children an important life lesson.

It is time to plant the seeds of a better future for all.

Etienne

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

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