Am I the only one who sees the flurry of activity amongst our nation’s discontent as a bit of a portent? A harbinger, if you will? I’ve run in a variety of circles for some time now. There’s the homeschooling circle. There’s the animal breeders circle. There’s the church circle. There’s the sustainable agriculture circle. There’s the local craftsmanship circle. There’s the pro-life circle. There’s the libertarian circle. There’s the hunting circle. There’s the homesteading circle, which connects to some of the prior circles in a variety of ways. (There will likely be a few who read all of that and go, “Oh! Oh! Redneck!” If you wish to label me as such, go right ahead. Quite frankly, I don’t care what you label me anymore.)
For me, there has always been an interconnectedness between these. A level of symbiosis, if you will. But I’ve never seen things migrate the way I have lately. For example, I am seeing posts from the homeschooling circle that point out Obama’s stance on education:
However, Obama’s push for national education standards could eliminate our freedom to decide our own course in life and easily make a standard like Texas the norm from sea to shining sea.
So a student who does not fit the state’s defined path from the day they are born until they begin their career may be considered a dropout; to Obama, this is just not an option because the country needs and values every American.
And just where does this leave homeschooling? Obama said,
“It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it.”
Go ahead and call my children dropouts or question our patriotism President Obama but our children will never participate in this socialist scheme of state indoctrination and dependency.
More than a diploma, this country still needs Americans who understand and value freedom.
– Obama says “no” to dropping out (SpunkyHomeschool)
I go from reading about threats against our liberty in the area of homeschooling, to the already in action problems of the CPSIA, which threatens to put thrift stores, libraries, homeschool curriculum companies, the motorbike industry, purveyors of homemade goods, and basically anyone, anywhere, who wishes to sell an item designed for those twelve and under, into the sewer. Baby out with the bathwater, Congress. I’ve seen posts over on Etsy, and I’ve seen concerns on personal blogs:
The CPSIA went into effect today and I pulled all my pre 1985 childrens’ books from Amazon because it is now illegal to sell children’s books (defined as books intended primarily for the use of children 12 and under) published before 1985 unless you pay for very expensive lead testing of each book. I used to sell pretty steadily at Amazon- about enough to break even=)
Then disaster hit and I spent two year years down and out or reeling, and I let it go. About three or so months ago I slowly started to claw my way back out of that hole and one of the things I did was start to relist at Amazon (I still have hundreds of unlisted books), and that was pretty much a waste of time, as most of my products are now illegal. I am pretty sick about that. I am pretty frustrated with how uninformed most people are about it- they think it actually keeps children safe and have no idea what it really does. It is a felony to sell a 1979 copy of Miss Suzy, that lovely picture book. It is a felony to sell hundreds and thousands of excellent, well written, rich literature for children and I can’t believe that is happening in my country.
In an online forum somebody went to a thrift shop and found them throwing out all pre-1985 books for children, and they wouldn’t let her have them because of product liability issues. This makes me sick to my stomach.
– “Taking a break” (The Common Room)
The folks over at Buy Handmade also have plenty of information on how the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is affecting our citizens. Then again, we should just trust the government that it knows what it’s doing with CPSIA, right?
We hear this accusation in one form or other all the time, and it’s generally the Consumer ‘advocacy’ groups explaining to the public or Congress on our behalf just what sort of poor, pitied, confused, bemused, and baffled idiots we are. But if you’ll notice, they never, ever, bother to offer anything substantive. It should be the work of a few seconds to actually document the misinformation and offer specifical, factual, counterpoints. But they don’t, for obvious reasons.
– A Silly, Bubbleheaded, Mommy Blog Roundup for a CPSIA Weekend (The Common Room)
So, where did I first hear about CPSIA? At TNFarmgirl, a blog that I follow because of its useful homesteading comments, when she mentioned it in her post, “Like children’s books? Better get them while you can!” But it’s not like it has anyone outraged, right?
And what do I follow that I first heard about via the homesteading circle? Why, NAIS, of course! Oh, but what is NAIS? Well, it’s the National Animal Identification System. To provide food security, see. Of course, there will be side effects. But consumers won’t mind paying higher meat prices because of fees seen for producers. They also won’t mind higher prices for vegetables that use manure as fertilizer that comes from those producers. Small farm owners won’t mind being put out of business because they don’t have the time or money to deal with red tape. Pet owners won’t mind having to register their family horse or pet llama, which aren’t part of our food chain in the first place. Parents of children involved in 4-H and FFA won’t mind having to register their premises as a farm. County fairs won’t mind the immense strain on their already tight budgets. Homesteaders won’t mind having to register every one of their livestock with the government. And of course, the giants in AgriBusiness won’t mind paying what is to them mere pocket change, and gaining monopoly of the syste– oh, wait. That’s a real benefit for them. Guess I shouldn’t have included it in the list. Yeah, we’re all in love with NAIS. Just ask my boyfriend about when I spotted the NAIS booth at the NY Farm Show this past weekend…
Of course, there’s also the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act, which I received information on via a contact in the “goats” circle, as it were. But none of us are up in arms (no pun intended) over the idea that it would be illegal to own a firearm unless it’s registered, and you’ve been fingerprinted. And you show them your driver’s license. Oh, and you give them your Social Security number. Don’t forget the physical and mental evaluation that you are subject to at any time of their choosing. Oh, and you have to keep your gun locked up and inaccessible to anyone under the age of eighteen.
What made me realize that people are starting to look beyond the “alarming issues” in their own “realms” and are beginning to see that the government is closing in on an increasing number of fronts was a variety of comments I read via a Yahoogroup I receive e-mail from, called “ORABS” which stands for “Our Rights As Breeders”, if I recall correctly. One of them mentioned the “Atlanta Tea Party” and before I knew it there were several replies from people who normally follow the “animals rights” tirades put out there by the H$U$ and the A$SPCA, stating that people in a variety of groups are now disgruntled, to put it in slightly nicer terms than he did.
I’d been following the “New American Tea Parties” myself via the political blogs I read (Google’s RSS Reader is a wonderful thing, folks), and that’s when it hit me – we’re on the path for a collision. Seclusion makes us think it’s just a small group. They won’t hear our voices. But things are happening. People are gathering. They’re stopping, opening their eyes, and seeing that it’s not just their pet issue that’s under attack. It’s everywhere. And something has to be done.
Pair all of that with what I commented on here about the idea of having RFID chips in our driver’s licenses that can be read by a scanner if someone decides to just stroll through a gathering, and the appointing of a Chair of the National Intelligence Council who believes “that the Chinese government’s brutal massacre of protesters in Tiananmen Square was a ‘not an example of rash action,’ but a ‘monument to overly cautious behavior’? ”
Yep. He also states. “I do not believe it is acceptable for any country to allow the heart of its national capital to be occupied by dissidents intent on disrupting the normal functions of government…”
Throw it all in the pot, stir it around for a few months, and there you have it. A well-brewed storm.
I think we’re going to be seeing some change soon. And it’s not the sort of change the President was talking about in his campaign.
This is Hannah Elise, Redneck Conspiracy Theorist and Harbinger of Doom, signing out.
Edited to add:
I was reviewing the “Blog Stats” here on WordPress and realized that I suddenly had a surplus of visitors. This made me curious. Turns out, they’re coming from New American Tea Parties. Say what? Apparently, when I linked their “About” page, it produced a trackback. Who knew? I don’t know a whole lot about such how “pings” and “trackbacks” work. But, since I’m getting the traffic… I’d love to to hear your ideas on how we can become better organized.
The issues are out there. So many of us are affected. How do we set aside our differences, agree to disagree on the finer points, and let the government know that we’re displeased? Not just about mortgages and bailouts, but about the variety of ways they are encroaching upon our freedoms? Is it possible to do without falling to pieces over our differences?
I welcome your thoughts.
Hannah,
Just received an email suggesting a “Tea Bag Party” to arrive at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave on or before April 15th. It had a link to your website, but no reference to that effort. Would you be so kind as to mention it somewhere so the effort has some legitimacy?!
I really appreciate your comments on not unifying under one “leader.” Great concept and viable to raise a groundswell of support to turn everything around. On a personal note, watch out for the “reporters”!
Hello, Roy.
Ehm. I’m not entirely sure why that would have linked to my blog, most ironically to what is likely my most uncoordinated post, as I was particularly fired up and was just throwing everything together into the pot, as it were. Unless I’ve been blogging in my sleep, I haven’t initiated a send-the-tea-bags movement, although I am following the “New American Tea Parties” as it were.
I did recently comment, somewhere in my travels of the blogosphere, that I thought it was a good idea. This was in response to someone commenting, much like you, that they had heard of it and were questioning the legitimacy.
I just did a bit of legwork – or rather… typing and clicking – and this is what I turned up about the origins of it:
http://wiseconservatism.com/2009/02/24/the-tea-bag-revolt/
Click to access February.pdf
The second one is an actual press release in PDF form. From what I gather, the idea originates at “Conservative Policy Roundtable”. Some of the other search engine results were merely commenting on the idea as well, and someone pointed out that sending a substance through the mail might be construed as an act of terrorism. Hm. They suggested taking a picture of a used, dried-up tea bag and putting that in the envelope instead. It’s a thought.
I hope the above websites help you out, and thank you for your comments! I’ll keep my eye out for reporters, but I’m not exactly the most mainstream blog out there. I don’t know that the media’s going to go for a blog that talks about Tea Parties, cat genetics, God, and trimming goat hooves. 😉
I think the growing organized protests are a great idea, but I also believe it is past time for raising voices; it is time to SHOUT ! In a peaceable, non-aggressive fashion each state’s citizens could quietly walk into their capital buildings, unarmed of course, and escort it’s unfaithful representatives and senators out of the building, thus making it clear to Washington D.C. that they no longer have authority to speak or act for that state.
For a time, until things are structured sensibly and fairly, I would support paying state taxes only, according to the needs and wishes of its own people. And no more goofball voting through representatives, but general elections only, especially proposed bills, et cetera. THAT is power to the people, and that is about the only way we won’t get screwed again and again. If you give your power to someone else, then you don’t have it anymore, right?
And speaking of which, a multi-million man march could descend on the White House with a clear, pre-set agenda. After all, that was a non-violent, successful means of making a point at one time. I wonder if His Royal Highness the President Vladimir Hussein would allow that to happen?
Launch a tax protest. We all know the feds are taking almost HALF of everything we earn, and then the rest gets taxed again in various ways (double and triple dipping). I would never willingly allow strangers access to my bank account — I have guns ! PAAALLEEAASSE !!! Religious freedom was not the only reason for founding this country; taxes were crushing the people while the royals lived in luxury. I wonder what the IRS would do if, on and after April 15th when the tea bags are received in Washington, millions of tax returns are not filed? Instead, each of us could send in a statement to the IRS, copies to Congress, that we vehemently protest the proposed use of our tax dollars and since we are the government (supposedly) we will withhold it until we agree on how it will be spent. There aren’t enough federal prisons to accommodate millions of us, and besides, where would the funds come from to feed, house, and care for us?? At one time wasn’t that called debtor’s prison? A senseless concept.
I have a strong tendency to be radical, but perhaps if enough of us contribute to this long overdue brainstorming, something suitable will surface. Every drop of water and gust of wind makes a storm bigger, not something you would want to ignore or play around with.
One Drop of Water
(but it’s not a tear, my dear)
I’ve never been radical but I’m on the verge of ready. We have to do something short of another Civil War – which it may eventually come to. I’m on a lot of blogs every day and it seems that there are already many people agreeing with you about not filing their taxes. In fact, one good idea is to write a note, “I want the same as Charlie Rangal”. The president is in OJT-101 and Nancy Pelosi is running our country so I don’t expect anything to improve.
All the more reason for citizens to organize and do something. Organize being the key-word that we’ve never been able to accomplish while every thug in the country is organized, marching, protesting, etc. and we eat dirt!
How can I help? I am sick of what is becoming of my beloved country and while I nolonger have any money, I am fully willing to speak, coordinate and recruit others like ourselves that feel the same. I am hoping that in the next congressional and senate elections the country finally throws out the bleeding idiots and re elects those that have exercised sound fiscal sense and repeal as much of this as possible!
Please go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html which indicates that second-hand shops, Amazon, etc., were never intended to be targets of the CPSIA. This is from the Office of Information and Public Affairs. Check it out, and Google the topic, too. You may find something I don’t know about. I do agree the regs in the Federal Register are clear as mud on this.
I think the real targets are new products, not used or collectible items.
Being a bit of a bookseller online myself, this is of concern to me, too!
But I think we can relax a little on that issue, at least.
Regarding current government trends, though, I am not happy.
Repeal the 16th Amendment, anyone?????
Yes, repeal the 16th Amendment; AND the 17th!
We need our “state” legislators to represent our states and the only way we can hold their feet to the fire is to repeal the 17th Amendment!
Clara,
The key point in what you said is that they “were never intended to be targets”. With or without intention, they are. still. affected. If you want a more in-depth view on CPSIA than I can offer, head over to The Common Room (http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/) and type “CPSIA” into the “Search Here” section of her sidebar. A couple of her posts I recommend are “Thrift Stores: Death by CPSIA” (http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2009/03/thrift-shops-death-by-cpsia.html) and “Here Be Dragons, CPSIA (“http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2009/02/cpsia-is-for-birds.html). I wasn’t able to find her post where she mentions the statement that “books aren’t useful after twenty years”. It’s on there somewhere, if you dig through what she has written on the topic.
Point is, intended or not, you still have to face the fact that the legislation says “ALL products”. “All” is such an inclusive word, it’s almost like it means “the whole quantity or amount” or “everything”. Oh, wait. According to dictionary.com, it does. I don’t care if they didn’t intend for it to smother small businesses; that is what it is doing anyway.
That is one reason that I am so concerned by HR 875. It’s CPSIA for food. That pesky word “any” before the terms farm, ranch, orchard, et cetera, is just as nefarious here as
“all” is in CPSIA. It’s naive to think that just because the intent isn’t there (and I’m not altogether convinced of that, despite the “official” story on things like this), it can’t happen. We’ve been naive enough for far too long in this country.
Okay, I’m done ranting now. Honest. 😉
Susan,
You can help by reading and learning what our Constitution actually stands for.
You can help by reading the legislation (something our legislators apparently fail to do in this day and age) and being informed.
You can help by writing letters to your representatives about the actions and legislation that are unconstitutional.
You can help by informing others. Try talking about something other than the latest American Idol contestant around the water cooler next time.
You can help by keeping abreast of what’s happening and attending rallies (New American Tea Party, at http://newamericanteaparty.com/, is a place to start). It’s good to write letters, but it’s also good to show your face and be there in person.
Above all, you can help by caring about what actually happens in our country.
I agree that something has to be done to take back our wonderful country. I agree that we ALL need to band together….Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, white, black, brown, etc…….this is not about Republicans vs. Democrats. This is about WE THE PEOPLE of this United States of America, holding the elected officials accountable for not doing what they were elected to do, and for slowly destroying our nation. My problem is, as wonderful an idea as I think the New American Tea Party is, I am not sure it will do much good. The bums in office will not listen to us. All they care about is their own wretched hides. Sure, they will know the people are sick and tired of what is going on, but what can really be done about it? All we can do is to wait and vote them out of office in 2010. If someone can tell me otherwise, or that the corrupt politicians will listen to the people and the NATP, I would love to know about it. I love this country and I HATE what is happening here, and I certainly dont want to sound like a pessimist, because I believe in the American people. I just dont know how much of an impact the Tea Parties will have. What do the bums in DC care if a few thousand people protest? They know they are still in office.
I think the left and the right would do well to learn from each other in many senses.
History is repeating itself, during the Bush era were doing the same thing: protesting, staging events…. blah blah blah blah blah. It got us nothing but a new president who we marginally agree with but still doesn’t represent many of our interests. But, he’s enough to keep many of people on the left and certainly most liberals quite.
That said, I have to make a distinction between left and liberal. We have our political lexicon all skrewed up in the United States. Pro- government liberals are benevolent fascists, where they believe in big public programs, for the good of the people. Pro government Republicans are oligarchs at best, and just generally fascists. Honestly, if you would like to contend with me- then look up the definitions and support your findings, I’m not looking for rhetoric- but call things what they are. The reality is: these two groups are not too different.
People that consider themselves conservative completely lambaste people who consider themselves socialists. libertarian socialism, anarchism (at the risk of using a dirty word) is small scale UNFEDERALIZED local run resource sharing.
If you are a true libertarian then my economic view wouldn’t matter to you even remotely. That is why I don’t mind allying with libertarian capitalists- because let the chips fall where may. That is the beauty of state rights.
Where the left was fighting bush, we instituted a more benevolent version or the same thing. Now the libertarian movement is reacting the same way as we did bush. Do you really want to go down that path? Honestly, just like the left was taken advantage of by the liberals- our movement being co-opted… That’s what people are already doing to yall. They are preying off your enthusiasm and candor. Protests, my friends, do not do a damn thing. you are in the street: it feels good, your network and meet some people. It’s mental masturbation. Protests are a means to something- they are not the purpose.
My suggestion is, let the left and right fall together under a banner of anti-federalism and work together to find a third party candidate. There is enough support between both sides- that if approached appropriately this could work. No more divisiveness. Seriously, the banter needs to stop if anything is to EVER get done between the left and right.
That is all.