Election

[TGB]

I recently met one-on-one with Wade Horn, the Secretary of Heath and Human Services and a founder of the National Fatherhood Initiative (//www.fatherhood.org). He reserved a whole afternoon in his schedule to visit with a few of us at a father's charity I work with (in addition to SPARC, I work with //www.aboutdads.org). The single best thing that George W. ever did was to appoint Wade to this position. Remember all the howls set up by the feminists when he did that?

Almost immediately after Dr. Horn was appointed four years ago, I started hearing about the changes that he was making. I attended a family support convention in my state, where I was the ONLY representative of noncustodial parents amongst hundreds of support enforcement people. In the seminars and discussions I was amazed at all the changes that were taking place. I have continued, over the past 4 years, to work with a number of government agencies, and continue to be very impressed with the quiet, behind the scenes changes that have not been in the papers but that are extremely apparent to anyone who works with these federal agencies.

In June, I had the opportunity, along with several friends, to assist in making presentations to the National Head Start Institute on Fatherhood, where several thousand social workers and Head Start program officials went to learn about the importance of fathers and how to get them more involved. A significant portion of the presentations focused on noncustodial fathers. No such national meeting would ever have occurred under Clinton, nor is it likely under ANY left-wing administration with their close ties to NOW. They would not risk alienating such a major constituency.

There have been many other changes that are moving in the direction of fathers. Most have not been widely publicized. Changes to rules and laws have allowed fathers to get forgiven for some child support arrearages. Programs in prisons now help fathers who owe child support to get it adjusted for the time they have no income. Programs have been started that focus on helping dads who owe child support to find work, to get job training, or receive other benefits formerly only given to custodial parents. In my state there are even programs that help teach mothers applying for child support to work with the fathers.

Government agencies and nonprofit social agencies have been encouraged or required to look at their programs and make sure that they are "father friendly." Practices that typically discriminate against men are stopped or changed. Father advocates or father involvement specialists have been hired or designated at many agencies.

There is still a VERY long way to go, but I'm extremely excited by all the changes I have seen over the past four years. I pray that Dr. Horn will have an opportunity to continue his work.

Please consider this when casting your vote this week.

Like many fathers, I am excited about the father-friendly position of Michael Badnarik. But unlike many on the message boards and e-mail groups I frequent, I am NOT going to waste my vote on him.

12 years ago I had many friends who, disgusted with both of the major candidates for President, decided to Vote for Ross Perot. I liked Ross, and would have voted for him myself, if I had thought he had a chance of winning. I wasn't willing then, either, to throw my vote away. I wasn't particularly fond of Bush Sr., but I knew that a vote for Bill was also a vote for Hillary and her sisterhood of feminazis and I didn't want either of them in office.

After the election I talked with many who had voted for Ross Perot, and most of them regretted it. All those votes did was allow Clinton to win.

Thanks!
TGB

[MYSONSDAD]

I am a supporter of Badnarik.

I had no idea of Dr. Horn and what is going on in regard to his work.
Real eye opener and something to look into. Now that Bush has been re-elected, maybe more can be posted about Dr. Horn...?

"Children learn what they live"

[Bolivar]

I enjoyed your ideas TGB


I would like to hear more about your adventures.



P.S. I liked your dissertation so much I posted it on custodyreform.com
And Darkspectre liked it so much he posted it on dadsdivorce.com

Your perspective is making the rounds. :-)

[Davy]

FYI ... a couple of years ago the White House sponsored a conference on "Parental Kidnapping" (PK).   By the time I learned of this conference it was too late to register (as stated) but the West Wing did let me know it was open to parents not just those in an official capacity.

On conference follow-up I found the emphasis was on International PK.
I called the West Wing again and the lady listened attentively as I spoke of interstate PK including existing Federal and State statues that do not work along with the more important aspects of the many things that happen to children that are seperated from loving nuturing parents.  I felt the lady was authentic and very interested.

I've heard of Dr. Horn but don't know of his endeavors ... I think he's been separated from his children like so many others and there was controversy (by NOW ?) surrounding his appointment.

(MSD; I will respond to your other post.  BTW, appreciate your input to this board).

[MYSONSDAD]

"Children learn what they live"

[StPaulieGirl]

Well, Bush won his second term.  Thank God.  I voted for Ross Perot, and Pat Buchanan.  All it did was solidify the Satanic duo's hold on this country.

I personally think that Michael Badnarik has many good qualities, but we're at war at the moment.  We can't pull out of the ME without disasterous consequences.  Radical Islam hates Christianity, and it will take nothing short of a crusade to stop them.  Just my opinion...

Bush is juggling a lot of hand grenades, but appointing Dr. Horn was a good start to clean up this mess.

Maybe we should all get together and design an email or letter, outlining our concerns.