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Idea to send: |
| Topic | Children need both parents |
| Content | At one time I asked Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to use his power and position to suggest positive methods to encourage the payment of child support.
For example, if a noncustodial parent always paid his child support in full and on time, the state could enforce his period of possession, give him a tax break, or allow him to see his children more often. Currently the AG only has negative methods of encouragement; fines, interest, revocation of licenses, harassment, and jail.
AG Abbot told me he cannot make a proposal like this because it is the legislators' job to initiate such changes.
So I was more than a little dismayed to read, "Texas AG proposes children's health insurance program" (Sherman TX Herald Democrat, 1-11-08, page 2).
Why is it that our AG only accentuates the negative -- and only for the parent ordered to live apart from his children? Why is he only fleecing the pockets of the noncustodial father? Why doesn't he go after the custodial parent or married couples?
Dads routinely get the burnt end of the stick in the sheesh-kabob of divorce; their only fault is being born male. Now Greg Abbott wants to saddle the disenfranchised father with more debt.
Our lawmakers who believe children only need their fathers every other weekend are wrong. Kids could benefit from equal access to both parents. It is time to stop viewing noncustodial fathers as wallets, and start ensuring their rights as parents. Our children are worth it. |
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