why doesnt the government and snake enthusiasts...

Republicans... Democrats... Who cares?

The point is, the Reptile Community is getting railroaded by Politicians in general.

We need to find more effective and creative ways of making our voices heard.

I agree. Solving the problems in the reptile trade should be one of our primary goals now--it's been left basically 'unattended' for far too long.
HOWEVER, I don't for one moment believe that any of those problems has anything to do with the flood of legislation we're facing now. We'll have a stronger position if we fix our problems, but those problems didn't cause these issues.

Politics is behind all of this, not reality. We have to fight fire with fire at this point...which means our appeals are going to have to be a LOT more emotional. Facts are great, but the people we have to convince aren't scientists--or herpers. They're common people who hear on the news that boa constrictors will get loose and eat their baby. These are the people we need to sway...and we need to do that by making them feel safe, showing them that the animals aren't a danger to them, and that the folks who own them aren't bikers carrying switchblades. We need to make it clear that we're minority pet owners and business people who are being picked on and libeled, not dangerous miscreants who want to own creepy things that will strangle them.

That's my opinion. It's time to start dishing out propaganda, instead of watching it get piled up against us.