The following incisive response to All Things Considered's patronizing February 1, 1996, report on "deadbeat parents" was written by Joe Parr, capable leader of the Snohomish County Chapter of Washington Families for Noncustodial Rights.Date: Tue, 06 Feb 1996 01:08:53 -0800 To: All Things ConsideredThis afternoon I listened to ATC's weekly reader-response section. Nothing about responses to their irresponsible piece on child support collection.
I am puzzled by the disparity in our government's encouragement of men and women to work.
It appears that when they want a woman to work, they first give her money. She seems to be entitled to a living without obligation or responsiblity. She then receives training and education. She receives special consideration when applying for work. She then receives an increase in gift money so that she is not penalized for having started to work. These gifts are added together with daycare expenses, health care, and food stamps. And all the while she is led to believe that she is but a victim in a world dominated by men.
When the government encourages a man to work, the first step is to increase his debt. He receives the bulk of legal expenses incurred in divorce, typically exceeding $80,000. Add a monthly child support payment usually calculated to be 25 to 50% of the man's determined income. However, the court reserves the right to determine the man's income independent of his employer. Therefore, child support is typically set beyond a workable sum and often exceeds the man's entire income.
When the man fails to meet the absurd obligation he is threatened with prison. Debtor's prison, thought to be abolished by our constitution, has been resurected especially for fathers. The seige is now begun bypassing any troublesome court hearings or due process of law to strip a man of his driver's license and business license, often his ability to feed himself. The last resort is public humiliation and shaming, announcing to the world that he dosen't care for his children kidnapped from him by the government.
The most puzzling aspect is that the obligation impozed upon the man is explained as reimbursement for the money given to the woman.
We have arrived at the pornocrocy. This is indeed a society ruled by harlots where sex alone is the means to a life of liesure or of torment depending, of course, upon gender.