http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,135219,00.html
FYI - Mike Cox, AG for MI, was a custodial parent who never received support from his wife. So he's on a rampage.....
Deadbeat Dad Contest Bad for Kids
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
By Wendy McElroy
On Oct. 1, Michigan launched a new crackdown on "deadbeats"— noncustodial parents who are behind on paying child support. The overwhelmingly majority of "deadbeats" are dads.
Custodial parents cheered; father's rights groups objected. Children were caught in between. But Attorney General Mike Cox doesn't seem concerned about keeping children as non-combatants in the war between their parents.
In conjunction with the website PayKids, a site Cox established to track down deadbeats, Cox announced a contest in which children are to draw pictures "that clearly convey the message of encouraging the payment of child support."
The contest's prize: "The first 250 submissions will receive a $10 gift certificate to Domino's Pizza....And, the winner, will have their rendering reproduced into a billboard in a prominent location..."
The contest encourages custodial parents— who, it should be noted, are overwhelmingly mothers — to discuss the issue with children and assist "in crafting the message and visual representation."
Radio host and fathers' rights activist Glenn Sacks comments, "[C]ustodial mothers are encouraged to coach their children to make designs critical of noncustodial parents behind on child support. And it doesn't take much imagination to figure out which noncustodial father many mothers will be encouraging their children to denounce."
Richard Farr, founder of the family oriented Krights Radio, asks, "Are kids expected to draw pictures of so-called 'deadbeat dads' going to jail?....This contest and the billboards [currently] dotting the Michigan landscape with imagery of jails, handcuffs and conviction send a scary message to young children. The contest should be called off immediately."
When Mike Cox took office in January 2003, he vowed to crack down on "deadbeats" and established a Child Support Division. Prior to this, the Attorney General's office assumed no direct jurisdiction over the issue.
With aggressive enforcement, the question of "when does it go too far" naturally arises. With some voices calling for government to withdraw from family matters altogether, Cox seems poised to become a poster boy for government's reckless disregard for children's welfare.
A child is half mother, half father. What emotional impact does it have on children when a government official urges them to denounce half of who they are? How will it impact a child's relationship with a noncustodial parent when his or her denunciation is posted for the world to see? And if Cox lives up to the threat posed by the handcuffs portrayed on billboards — if he throws a "deadbeat" parent in jail--will the child live forever with a terrible guilt for having participated in that process?
When a divorce lands in court, children should be insulated as much as possible from adult decisions like alimony and support payments. They should not be bribed with pizzas into becoming part of a legal enforcement process against one parent.
Fathers' rights advocates quickly responded to the contest by directing outrage toward Domino's Pizza, the contest's corporate sponsor. Krights Radio spearheaded a boycott campaign; one father suggested the contest slogan "I sold my dad for a Domino's Pizza."
Domino's Pizza responded with equal speed to the complaints that were pouring in. Tim McIntyre, vice president of communications, informed Farr, "Domino's consumer web site, now contains an open letter to all Domino's customers, letting them know what happened...It can be found on dominos.com through the weekend [10/10]."
McIntyre explained, "We were not informed about this contest in advance, nor did we endorse use of our company name in conjunction with it. We are...incensed that this was done without our prior knowledge or consent....We have asked the Attorney General to remove our brand name in association with this contest, and have let him know that we are working actively to distance the good name of Domino's Pizza from this program."
Calling Domino's withdrawal "an unprecedented move by a major international corporation," Farr expressed "respect" for the company.
Nevertheless, he believes it is still "confused concerning issues of the child support enforcement industry."
If so, the confusion is understandable. Government agencies have conducted a concerted and nationwide campaign against "deadbeat dads," which has voiced only one side of the issue.
Consider Michigan's PayKids site. On the right is a photo of smiling children; on the left, a list of "most wanted" deadbeat dads with a changing photograph. (Although the word "parent" is used, only men seem to be listed as "Wanted" or "Captured"; in numerous visits, only men's photos were displayed.) In between the two is the photo of a smiling, hugging mother.
The nonprofit PayKids Foundation was created by Cox in order to co-ordinate a public awareness campaign about unpaid child support. But Farr believes the whole PayKids initiative is based on "a false premise and erroneous information."
For example, the top five "Most Wanted" are listed as owing from $224,000 to $40,000 thousand in unpaid support. But Farr points to a Michigan Family Independence Agency study that "showed 87 percent of arrearages are owed by those earning less than $10,000 a year." He claims "that most parents who don't pay child support are deadbroke, not deadbeat."
Wherever truth lies between these polar opposite views, it is difficult to see how encouraging children to turn against their parents is a proper government function.
Wendy McElroy is the editor of ifeminists.com and a research fellow for The Independent Institute in Oakland, Calif. She is the author and editor of many books and articles, including the new book, "Liberty for Women: Freedom and Feminism in the 21st Century" (Ivan R. Dee/Independent Institute, 2002). She lives with her husband in Canada.
Respond to the Writer
'A child is half mother, half father. What emotional impact does it have on children when a government official urges them to denounce half of who they are? How will it impact a child's relationship with a noncustodial parent when his or her denunciation is posted for the world to see? And if Cox lives up to the threat posed by the handcuffs portrayed on billboards — if he throws a "deadbeat" parent in jail--will the child live forever with a terrible guilt for having participated in that process?
When a divorce lands in court, children should be insulated as much as possible from adult decisions like alimony and support payments. They should not be bribed with pizzas into becoming part of a legal enforcement process against one parent.'
Are you reading this, FM? Any part of this you DON'T understand? Let us know, please, if you don't. We'd ALL be more than willing to help!
I wonder who will post and blow this apart...
Hm...this should get interesting....
I'm just wondering how much outrage would be expressed if a "Deadbeat Moms" campaign were started..... Can you imagine the media coverage if that were the case. *sniff*
Should we? Tempting, but we have too many good ladies on this board. Would never insult them with that type of bias, all but one...
This from a Michigan paper:
http://www.detnews.com/2004/metro/0410/13/c01-302103.htm
"Children learn what they live"
LOL It is tempting--but I would never denigrate the good people of this board either--my comment was just a kind of "what if" to show the huge disparity in views. :)
When someone hears the word "deadbeat" I would be willing to bet that 99% of the people automatically attach "dads" to the end of it. From your link:
"We're disappointed that certain groups chose to cloud or distort the message we were trying to convey," said Randall Thompson, an office spokesman. "And that is that, while there are a lot of good parents out there, there are others with the means to pay child support but don't over many years. They're called felons."
The real distortion is that the common public will think most NCP's are deadbeats---and the vast majority of NCP's are dads. The cloud is the one hanging over NCP's that is perpetuated by these campaigns that are not thought out enough to do some real good....
My gosh, this is a disgraceful way to have parents pitted against each other...especially at the hands of their own children!
I, for one, have NEVER allowed my dd to know anything that went on or goes on between her dad and I. Especially anything about cs or visitation fights, etc...
You would NOT be insulting me, MSD. I am not a stereo-type, only a mother and SM who cares. If billboards were constructed showing NCP moms who failed to pay, THEY know who they are.....and if guilt or the drive to get a job (or a better one) to financially support their children prompts them to get off their dead backsides and do something, then it's worth it, in my book.
I KNOW that the campaign would not be directed at me, and those of us who know the truth probably won't have any problem with that, but that's JMO..............
I read an earlier article about Dominos saying they had not been informed of this campaign and did not authorize the use of their name.
Im an in-house paralegal for a large manufacturer. Part of my job is maintaining and enforcing our trademark rights, especially with regards to improper use of our trademarks or counterfeiting. Dominos has numerous trademarks. I guarantee you that as soon as they became aware of this campaign they had their trademark attorney send a cease and desist letter for infringement and unauthorized use of their trademark. After all, what's the first thing a NCP does when they have the kids for the weekend and they get home on Firday night? They call Dominos Pizza because they don't feel like cooking! LOL (That was a joke for those who are sarcastically challenged!) Now would they REALLY want to piss off their largest customers??!! LOL
You're awfully quiet...
Except NOTHING................
That article of Wendy McElroy's says it all, and in plain enough English for even FM to understand. There is NO argument that can stand up to that, unless the person making the argument doesn't give a rat's a$$ about kids............ANY kids.
I meant to post it but forgot once I read the Fox article. Nice to see it getting international attention instead of just local attention.
Those of us in MI are pretty fed up with AG Mike Cox's rampage against "deadbeats" and Gov. Jenny Granholm's rampage against the middle class. The woman has raised all fees: driver's licenses, state IDs, registrations, everything. Now she wants us all to pay all of our property tax in the summer instead of breaking it up in two semi-annual payments. Her latest rampage is wanting to tax services: hair cuts, manicures, lawn cutting, deliveries, the list could potentially go on and on, considering, if one wants to be technical, a cashier performs a service by ringing up my goods, could a tax be imposed on that service?
Anyway, my state government wonders why people are leaving in droves. Cox is just another in a long list of blundering idiots, IMHO.
Someone started a website for CP's that were denying visitation. I lost the site. After trial, would love to post my story.
And just resently another suggested a billboard campaign on deadbeat CP's that were denying visitation. And let's not forget those move aways! I am so ticked that they would allow the destruction of a relationship when the other party is so firmly against it.
There is a website for Illinois on deadbeats. I wrote and asked why they did not include the CP's refusing to go with CO's and vistation. Of course, they never replied.
Maybe Glenn would be interested in something along these lines.
Any thoughts?
"Children learn what they live"
Maybe the men in little white suits found her and put her where she belongs.
Either that, or she is hiding under her rock and will come out when we least expect her. Halloween is just around the corner, I am sure we will get our fill...
"Children learn what they live"
Too many wonderful females here to throw insult like that. You ladies are worth your weight in platium for the advice and suggestions. Too important to risk hard feelings.
All but one...
"Children learn what they live"
"Children learn what they live"
"LOL It is tempting--but I would never denigrate the good people of this board either--my comment was just a kind of "what if" to show the huge disparity in views."
I did not take offense at all, just a thought that popped in and shared.
I get sick at the deadbeat attacks, if the truth were only told...
...
This guy is disgusting. There is no way in hell children should participate in such a hateful campaign. What the hell is this guy's problem?
One of my (almost) son in law's is a good artist. I'd love to portray this guy as a drooling idiot, holding men and women by their ankles, shaking spare change out of their pockets. Think I could win????? Forget it...my kids don't like Dominos Pizza.
How long have these two been in office, Veronica? DH and I went to the UP in Feb. of last year, around the Lake Gogebic/Ontonagon area and I was amazed at how economically depressed the area was. No wonder they cater to the snowmobilers in the winter and the fishermen and campers/vacationers in the summer.....that's the ONLY way they could survive!
They both have two more years, hopefully, they'll both get the boot. Especially Granholm, she has really upset her own liberal base.
I read in today's USA Today that Cox is withdrawing part of the program due to the outcry from men and Domino's Pizza, but could not find the story in either the Detroit News or the Detroit Free Press, so I cannot confirm if he has withdrawn part of it or what part. Will keep looking....
He was a custodial parent who never received child support from his deadbeat ex-wife. In the very least, he should know that one doesn't have to be a particular sex to be a deadbeat. You'd think he'd do the math and find out that deadbeat and dead broke are two different issues, and a huge part of the problem.
Could be using his office to seek revenge...
"Children learn what they live"
Just trying to drive the point home, SLY.
My problem with this is encouraging children to disrespect their parents. I find this campaign to be malicious in nature, and I question his judgement. Of course parents are supposed to share in the support of their children. There are better ways to send the message.
The powers that be don't distinguish between deadbeat and dead broke. The arrearages and interest charged on them is a sin, nevermind against the law. It's indentured servitude. His ex wife should be paying child support since he has custody. All cases should be taken into account to make sure that the NCP has the means to take care of themselves, though. What happens when your company moves overseas? Ugh....
I just think the whole idea is disgusting and harms children.
...
DON'T READ IT
When a company leaves the country, not only are the jobs in that company lost but the service companies who provide everything from office supplies to toilet paper will loose. When services are no longer needed, then the service people who provided those services are no longer needed & then the products purchased from the manufactures are no longer needed & then the manufacturer doesn't need to make as many so he doesn't need as many workers & so on & so on, on down the line.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
You are so right.
I remember all the base closures back in the late 80's and early 90's. It was very bad.
Add this to your comment. Hiking the minimum wage might seem like a humane gesture, but it also has its own trickle down consequences. Every time the government does it, either you end up working longer (and I mean lonnnnnnnnger hours) because your employer cannot hire additional workers. That means if you're looking for work, it's going to be more difficult. Some employers go out of business, others pack up and move to another state. Sucks to have a government gun pointed at your head when the money just isn't coming in.
I'm talking about people who do minimum wage work. I've been told that it effects the higher pay scales as well.
Do these people who owe the government money, get a free hearing to prove that they are unemployed? Would the government freeze interest on the amounts? I hardly doubt it....