Kate plus 8~Children are not a Kommodity

 
Children are not to be used as a Kommodity, having their childhoods sold to the highest bidder.
Welcome!   My name is Irene.   I am a mom with 8 children. I am a television consumer/parent who was a viewer of the TLC hit show Jon & Kate plus 8.   Like many, I've seen the complete corporate takeover & tabloid eclipse of this family in the 100 episodes that have exposed them at their worse.   Last May 2009, the matriarch of the family vowed on television, "The show must go on!"  The patriarch of the family countered in the fall of 2009 by vowing "No filming of the kids allowed."
 
Fast forward to April 2010.   The Pennsylvania Dept of Labor attended a hearing in Pennsylvania, hosted by Rep Thomas Murt.   At that hearing the Dept of Labor reported that the proper permits for TLC (Silver Springs, MD) & Figure 8 Prod (North Carolina) had never been filed.   In an agreement between Tlc & the PA DOL, TLC got off scott free.  They were warned to get the proper permits in the future & pay the children.  (FYI- the kids will split 15% of some amount 8 ways.  Still haven't figured that one out, since they comprised 80% of the show)   http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/childentertain2009.htm
 
The reason for this petition is simple.   As parents and TV consumers we need to ban together and show legislators that the laws protecting children in reality shows is at best poor, outdated, and often nonexistent.   Further, we need to make it clear that children's childhoods are not for sale. The Gosselin children's lives are forever documented on video, facebook, photos,  books, tv series, etc. Their childhoods were sold by their parents and a company (TLC) is profiting with dollars while these children will live with the after effects for the rest of their lives.
 
Please leave your signature verifying that you believe kids on reality shows deserve protections, safeguards, fair pay, and a 3rd party to ensure their safety and well-being on any sets they perform on.   Remember with these kids "the set is the home & the home is the set."  And  bless you and thank you for joining us in helping these kids be safe.
**********************************************************
*** Update *** 
06/03/2010 Rep Thomas Murt(PA) introduced HB 2515 addresses the inadequate child labor laws in Pennsylvania. As of my knowledge today Rep Thomas Murt has 75 co sponsors. Please check his website for updates. http://repmurt.com/ite 
Also, follow A Minor Consideration as they work tirelessly on behalf of the children of the entertainment industry. http://www.minorcon.org/
This is not about me, or you, or trying to stop shows from coming on tv this is about the KIDS. TEAM KIDS!