I am disgusted by the opinion of Representative Wolkins presented in the article regarding Hephzibah House.
"I don't like government regulations," Wolkins said. "I think people are responsible for their own actions."
It seems rather obvious that people are responsible for their own actions, of course, but who is to hold them accountable when others are too afraid, or unable, to speak?
"There is a grain of truth to all of them, depending on how you interpret it."
No wonder we live in a world where violence and crime runs rampant, look at what people are doing to their own children. How the hell are you to interpret abuse? How are you to interpret forcing teenagers to wear diapers?
He says that sure, they probably felt intimidated. I wonder how many of you want your children to feel intimidated? It's all just part of the "behavior modification," which sounds like something from 1984.
Furthermore, I don't care what the good ol' doctor's intent is. You think having a good intent makes your horrible actions any better? A lot of bad people come to mind, who thought they had good intentions.
Wolkins is right about one thing though, this is a conservative state. It's sad that however far we have progressed technologically, people still want to put the "fear of God" in us all.
If your son or daughter has issues, why don't you decide to deal with it, rather than relinquishing your duties as a parent? Maybe try counseling? But whoever gives their children away to some Bible-swinging, rod-wielding fundamentalist does not deserve to even have children. I guess it's easier to just give up your responsibility as a parent, setting yet another great example for your children.
I hate government interference as much as the next person, but it's the government's job to protect its citizens, and that includes children. If you want to send your children away to some religious school, that is your choice. But such institutions should be inspected closer than public schools. At least in the public school systems the potential for abuse is greatly diminished.
