ON DEADBEAT MOMS AND DADS, AND A LITTLE HISTORY PART 2

I decided to post the third comment from "Anonymous" that appears after "On Deadbeat Moms and Dads..." because I wanted to discuss it briefly. Here is the comment:

"So why aren't you paying your child support if you love them so much? Do you think that clothes, food and the rest just fall from the sky? Do you think your excuses put food on their table? Although, truthfully they may be better off not knowing what a deadbeat their father is. What kind of man doesn't financially provide for his minor children? (that's a rhetorical question, by the way)"

And here is my rebuttal:

Anon's comment is typically American; it is one that ignores the body of the issues and focuses solely on one small aspect, and that aspect is always dollar-driven. Shortsighted, knee-jerk comments and actions are an unflattering trait we in the United States have developed over time, and they have led to debacles such as the Iraq War.

Your comment, "Anonymous" is the "drill baby drill" chant all over again.

"Anons" inability to look beyond today and look to the brighter future (thus the reason I am pursuing my University education) has become synonymous with American Culture today: Trade long term (future) stability for a quick profit today.

This mind set has driven our nation into deep economic trouble, just as the policies of the OCSE have driven families into deep economic trouble.

Couple the discriminatory policies of the OCSE with Conservatives, Democrat and Republican alike, that continue to allow the outsourcing of good manufacturing jobs, continue to slash money for education, and continue to slash social programs (while propping up our defense department) and you get economic hell for working families.

The Conservative Democrats and Republicans believe, as you probably do "Anon," that scrapping food programs for the poor children of our nation, or denying health care and education to millions of Americans is going to force poor working families into the middle class or beyond, so magically the world becomes an economic utopia for all.

That idea was bullshit when Ronald Reagan and Milton Friedman sold it to us in 1981 and it remains bullshit to this day.

"Anon"- get the back story right next time, read my posts in their entirety, and realize abusive comments designed to denigrate me regarding support and visitation with my children create not only dysfunction in the children, they also strengthen my tenacity (and my desire) in the fight for equality in this horribly skewed, abusive "child support" system in place in the U.S. today.

Thanks for the comment, "Anon", don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

Peace, Searchers, we do need a systemic change in America.

Oh Yeah-The face of a true "Deadbeat Dad" Arkansas State Representative Pat Flanagin:
image

NEWLY OBTAINED DOCUMENTS REVEAL "DEADBEAT DAD(S)" IN ARKANSAS STATE LEGISLATURE

Searcher has obtained docs from a Circuit Clerk in the great State of Arkansas that will reveal child support payment issues (that is, lack of payment) while the Legislator in question was holding office.

Where are you Jonesboro Sun? Have you been burying more information about your elected officials at their behest?

I'll let you know more as I pore over the documents, and I will, of course, post them on the website.

Peace-

ARKANSAS' PERCY MALONE TOO BUSY FOR THE PEOPLE?

My, my, Senator Percy Malone is busy these days, now doubt handling all kinds of pressing matters, from D.C. to Little Rock. I called his office, and spoke with the ever-pleasant Amy, and she assured me she would send Malone a text(?) message with my number. I'm sure he'll be right back with me. Perhaps I should have a Twitter account so he can "tweet" me...

Seriously, there are laws written that are creating massive crisis to families, and Percy Malone of Arkadelphia is dodging my phone calls. Little 'ol me. Makes me feel good.

Senator Malone, I am awaiting your call. I want you to address the remarks you made regarding adults (see post "Pushing For Equal Rights In America..." ) I am not going to go away, the issues facing real working families in the United States are not going to go away simply because you refuse to pick up your phone.

For you Mr. Malone, I will give a refresher course: Pay attention:

The Policies of the Office of Child Support Enforcement:

1. Contribute to increased alcohol abuse.
2. Contribute to increased drug abuse.
3. Lead to crushing debt for the poor.
4. Contribute to domestic violence.
5. Lead to dysfunction in children.
6. Put families at odds with each other.
7. Are fundamentally discriminatory against the Non-Custodial Parent
8. Discriminate against and target a specific socio-economic class of people, those in poverty, as well as the working poor in America.
9. Lead to a relinqueshing of rights by the Custodial Parent, with insufficient legal counsel provided to the Custodial Parent.
10.Violates Amendment 14 of the United States of America, specifically the "equal protection" clause.
11.Violate Articles 7, 8, and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Read up, Mr. Malone, and realize statements you make, such as "I don't much care about the adults" show your lack of concern for real families, and it shows that you do not take your position seriously, unless it is to fill your pockets(?) Then perhaps you take it seriously?

Peace, Searchers

REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS AND DISCRIMINATION-STILL WAITING ON PERCY MALONE, OF ARKANSAS

I spoke with Senator Percy Malone's (D Arkadelphia) assistant a few days ago, she told me he was in D.C., no doubt standing up for an entire group of people he clearly discriminated against in the past. But I'm sure he has righted his ways, I'm confident he's had his "Road to Damascus" (or flight path to D.C.) experience. Probably not.

Mr. Malone, please come out from under your desk and address the comments you made to me, the comments I posted on my blog. I did notice that someone from Arkadelphia has been hitting my blog, specifically searching "percy malone." Could it be the elusive Percy Malone himself? We'll see, I will be around far longer than him, fighting for the rights of adults and children alike, and I will not relent.

The policies of the Office of Child Support Enforcement contribute to depression, abject poverty, despair, they harm children, they lead to dysfunction in children and families, they pit families against one another, and they lead to increased drug abuse, increased alcohol abuse, and domestic violence.

In addition, the laws as they are written violate Article 14 of the United States Constitution as well as a whole host of Articles from The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United States on December 10, 1948. And for the Intellectually Incurious out there, those that never heard of The Declaration, the Chairperson of this historical and monumental Declaration was First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt.

I challenge you to prove me wrong Mr. Malone. Oh I forgot, you "don't much care about the adults," do you Percy? Did you ever stop to think "Senator" that the Government Check drawn on the Treasury you cash from your elected seat comes from the backs of tax paying adults? For some reason, I don't think you're much of a thinker...I am still awaiting your response to my email and my articles.

Peace-

Onward

CHASING DOWN ARKANSAS LEGISLATORS

I posted a few days ago regarding Percy Malone of Arkadelphia, AR. (pictured) I have attempted to obtain a statement from his office, and at the time of this posting I am waiting on a call from Senator Malone to discuss the email I sent him as well as the post from a few days ago. I'll post the discussion when it occurs, I'm not holding my breath, but I'm confident I will be able to catch up with him.

A sidebar-he looks congenial enough (albeit a little squirrly) in his picture but (I've used this analogy before) dealing with him reminded me of watching John McCain wander around the stage during the 2nd Presidential debate like a octogenarian looking for his lost Poodle.

I will say I spoke with his assistant today, Amy Johnson, and she was as polite and gracious as always. Perhaps some of her personality will rub off on Malone. Again, no breath holding here.

Not much else to say at this point, except for this: Change will come to the system of the OCSE as we know it today. The policies of the OCSE lead to the destruction of families, the policies pit families against one another, and the policies discriminate against a particular group of people, with taxpayer money. Clearly this is violation of the 14th amendment of the Constitution, as well as numerous Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Peace-

PUSHING FOR EQUAL RIGHTS IN AMERICA (HINT-THE GUY IN THE PICTURE ISN'T DOWN WITH THAT)

I dedicated the latter part of last week, that is Thursday and Friday, to chasing down elected officials in Arkansas to try to establish who specifically legislates the Office of Child Support Enforcement. I believe I have it narrowed down to two individuals, Representative Greg Reep of Warren, AR and Senator Percy Malone (pictured) of Arkadelphia, AR. (When I write "Thursday and Friday," it implies I took a mere two days to research information. That is a simplification; I have been pursuing this information for months...)



I interrupted Rep. Reep's golf game, and we agreed to talk later. When I spoke with Reep, he came across as a thinker, he listened to my statements regarding the current crises facing families and asked that I supply him with information so he could research the issues.


When I reached Arkansas State Senator Percy Malone it was quite another story. With a voice and twang that would do Jim Nabors proud, (shout out to Sylacauga, Alabama) Mr. Malone rebuffed my statements with such eloquent remarks as, "When it comes to child support I don't much care about the adults," and "I don't have anything to do with what happens across the country," and then the ubiquitous pseudo-intellectual statement: "All I care about is the kids" which is nothing more than a bullshit statement, especially when it comes from the mouth of a politician, as it is meant to appeal to some heartstrings in voters, because who in their right mind would be against children? *collective gasp*

"What Arkansas State Senator Percy Malone fails to
realize is that children and adults are intricately intertwined and
interdependent. There is not a father on this planet that does not
want to interact with his children, neither is there a mother that doesn't crave the same."

For Mr. Malone to not be able to put the two together is quite remarkable, but as another Arkansas Senator,Mark Pryor, famously said: "You don't have to pass an I.Q. test to be in the Senate." Clearly.

Mr. Malone's failure to grasp the fact that policy in Arkansas can cause severe harm to a 6 year old child half a continent away speaks whole volumes about his lack of knowledge as it pertains to modern times. Mr. Malone, pick up a newspaper or plug in that clam-shell thingy, I think it's called a lap-top or sumthin...


When I suggested that the state discontinue the policy of making non-custodial parents reimburse the state when the custodial parent applies for certain types of aid, (and the state forces and coerces the custodial parent to sign away their rights to child support, without qualified legal council) his immediate, knee-jerk statement was "Oh they'll never change that," which reveals Senator Malone's deep fear of change in the status quo. This is exactly the type of person that should not be in office.


One of the problems with guys like Percy Malone, (and he's not alone, Mrs. Searcher's father has the same unenviable trait,) is they exist in a bubble due to their elected position. Most have seen prosperity for all of their lives, couple that with living in Arkansas, throw in a heaping dose of conservatism, with a lack of intellectual curiosity, and out pops people like Percy Malone. And Mrs. Searcher's pappy.


Another problem with guys like Percy Malone is they prominently display their religion on their state websites. In this case, Malone's website lists "Baptist" as his church affiliation, but when given the opportunity to discuss real issues such as policy that is resulting in the destruction of families, Mr. Malone makes statements that denigrate an entire group of people which directly contradicts the teachings of the central figure of the Baptist denomination, Jesus Christ.


I emailed Mr. Malone after our conversation, the body of which you can read at the end of this post. I intend to call Mr. Malone's office tomorrow, 06.04, to obtain a statement. I will publish the results of the call.

Lest there be any confusion, let me be clear: I intend to see reform come to child support enforcement. I believe the statutes as they are written violate the 14th amendment to the Constitution of the United States, as well as Articles 1,2, 3,6,7,21.2, and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Email to Percy Malone:

Mr. Malone- May 29, 2009

Thank you for your time Friday discussing crucially important child support issues. I regret that you were unable to articulate with any eloquence the rationale behind the reckless policies of the Office Child Support Enforcement. I do appreciate your stated concern regarding "the children" and your adamant declaration that you "don't much care about the adults." This is abundantly clear as you continue to support policies that contribute to the despair and destruction of families. Armed with your regrettable comments as well as the memory of our short phone conversation it comes as no surprise that you cannot comprehend a connection between adults and children. Apparently in the world of Percy Malone, children somehow appear without the help of adults, and when the benevolent Mr. Malone waves his magic wand all children are self-sufficient, because in Mr. Percy's world, children and adults have no connection. Brilliant.

As for your statement, "I don't have anything to do with what happens across the country," this gives me a glimpse into your lack of vision, lack of intellectual curiosity, as well as your provincial mindset. Your inability to connect dots in the simplest of pictures is remarkable.

I realize you got off on the wrong foot with me but I am confident we can move forward amicably while you still hold office. I look forward to frequent future conversations with you as the OCSE policies as currently written must be reviewed in the context of the age we live in today as opposed to maintaining the status quo. The review of these policies must only result in one thing: a sea change in the Office of Child Support Enforcement.

Sincerely,



Peace, Searchers


image credit: Arkansas State Assembly website.

COMMITING MYSELF TO A CRUSADE (JIHAD) FOR CHANGE

Over the past 15 years or so I have had the distinct pleasure of dealing with the Office of Child Support Enforcement in the state of Arkansas. It has been a rocky and contentious decade and a half, with corruption, discrimination, bureaucratic bullshit, and general apathy from the government toward families. This is going to change. I cannot devote this blog exclusively to the child support problem but I will give some place to it.

I spoke with Dan McDonald today, administrator of the Office of Child Support(Extortion) Enforcement for the State of Arkansas. We had a 40 minute conversation with me outlining the issues working families face when the Government steps in and robs working families of at least 50% of pre-tax income. In this particular situation, the money that is taken from my paycheck is used to pay down a debt acquired by the custodial parent when the custodial parent applied for and received certain types of state aid.

As Mr. McDonald indicated the C.P. is required by law, that is forced, coerced, etc., to give up rights to any child support collected by the state. In other words, the state is robbing one family and taking the money and putting it in the state coffers. This policy is reprehensible especially coming from such an obviously Christian state. Hell they're right in the middle of the bible belt yet they extort money from families to give it to the greedy bureaucrats.

I also spoke briefly with state Senator Paul Miller, and bless his heart he sounds like a confused old man, the equivalent of John McCain wandering around the stage during the Presidential debate, just a guy on the verge of dementia. Don't get me wrong, his picture makes him look nice enough, but it was like talking to your old grandpa that just isn't firing on all cylinders

I have attempted to contact state Senator Tracy Steele today to no avail, back after it tomorrow.

Over time I will identify more and more my stances on issues regarding the OCSE. Suffice it to say, I believe a consensus can be reached that will benefit families, although the state will definitely lose revenue, because it isn't about the state you dumb asses, it is about the families.

I full believe that the current policies in place by the Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement lead to:
1. Increased alcohol abuse

2. Increased drug use.

3. Mental health issues

4. Physical health issues

5. Domestic violence.

By his own admission, Mr. McDonald doesn't agree with parts of the 34 year old system but until I get reform pushed through, he made it clear that he is, in fact, just another mid-level bureaucrat interested in maintaining the status quo.

As stated earlier, I will be contacting various elected officials around the State of Arkansas as well as Washington State, as Washington has a reciprocity agreement with the other 49 to commandeer paychecks and keep working families trying to obtain an education in abject poverty. This is a fact, a despicable one, and it is a discriminatory practice, an injustice I intend to rectify.

Stay tuned, Searchers-
Peace and Onward!

Post Script-for the future I am going to refer to non-custodial parents as NCP's and custodial parents as CP's...peace

700 BILLION BAILOUT

I know you have been following the news, Searchers, with the Wall Street capitalists going to Congress to get a decidedly socialist bailout.

At best I have to question the right wing and Bush's Freidmanite economic policies ( as well as judges and police officers) instructing me to have "personal responsibility" and then going to Congress for a handout when we have veterans living on the street.

When I can't get health care and afford my books for a mere three classes at a community college.

When $1861 monthly gross pay for a family of three disqualifies the family for food stamps. Who can live on that in this society? But these right-wingers and capitalists want to slash all social programs, abolish the Dept of Education, and take away funding for education. What would Jesus do, Capitalist? Pay attention to the book of Acts particularly the account of the Apostles setting up a social welfare system to ensure people less fortunate could be helped out, eat, and live with some dignity.

This is precisely what I want for me and my family. I don't have a rich daddy that throws out thousands of dollars for me and has clout to get me into a top-notch university. But I am intelligent, capable, with a vision. Why do people like Bush and the Christian Right want to take away opportunity from me or my wife or my son? Or deny millions of people health care, funding for education through the advanced degree stage, as well as the support system to succeed?

When the state of Washington steals 51% of my gross pay for child support, then tells me paying child support cannot be an income determining item when applying for social programs. Despite the fact that as a cook in these restaurants top pay is $14 an hour,(I don't make that much) and after taxes and the child support hijacking leaves me and my wife and son a mere $4 an hour to live on. What the fuck?

I have said this before and I will say it again. We need a systemic change in the United States, and TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMICS DOES NOT WORK.

It is time to oust this Capitalist system, and find a fix. To think a fully deregulated economy-one with no oversight- will have no repercussion (as history teaches in countries such as Chile), in the US as it it did in Chile (when you destroy people's rights and take away their ability to function, when you destroy social programs and give the nation over to corporate greed) is to ignore history as well as the majority of the voters' desire.

We need to take our country back from the policies of greed and disrespect of our fellow human being that Milton Freidman advocated and Ronald Reagan adopted.

Capitalism and it's dependence on profit and selfishness has proven itself to be a detriment on society akin to historical Communism.

Peace-

Mike

P.S. We need a systemic change in the United States.