I am a little disappointed. When I talked about prosecuting deadbeats, the e-mails rolled in. I got all kinds of support from people ready to send deadbeats to jail. Then I talked about visitation. The support rolled in on that issue, too, because people are all for prosecuting those who do not allow visitation.
Then I changed things up on you. I addressed an issue that is harming many good, hardworking people today. Layoffs, plants closing, drastic loss of work hours, etc. I said I want to help these people who are in this situation and have a support obligation. Now no one wants to help these people. That is really sad. Everyone is all for prosecuting, but no one wants to help the good ones.
These people are not deadbeat parents but now they are forced to be. They honestly cannot pay support because they lost their job in this tough economy. They cannot get jobs automatically. Anyone looking for a job right now knows that. They cannot get support reductions automatically and in most cases not at all. A recent story I received from someone said his support amount was set when his job was going great and he had overtime. Guess what? He is now only working two weeks per month. Not because he wants to. Because that is all his employer allows. Did he get a support reduction? No.
Here is why. There is something called "potential income." This potential income is based on skill level, education and how much income was previously made or could be made with job experience and skills. So this man's potential income is set at what he was making with overtime. Which means his child support obligation will stay where it is based on his potential income level. Does this sound fair? This "potential income" can help when dealing with true deadbeats but, it seriously hurts those who are now forced to be deadbeats. There is a big difference between these two types of parents.
If you don't like my idea about the assistance program, come up with a better one and tell me about it. I would love to hear other solutions to this problem. The fact is there needs to be a solution. I will not change what I am asking for until someone can give me a better solution. We cannot allow those who are forced to be deadbeats to be treated like the true deadbeats. There's a big difference and they should not be placed in the same category. Without help that is exactly what will happen to them. We can't just say "prosecute them all" or "don't prosecute anyone." That is not fair and, I have said many times I am trying to stay fair.
I am all for prosecuting those who should be prosecuted. But I will not ignore the fact that innocent people are now being prosecuted. If I can help them with this petition, that is what I am going to do. You can contact me my e-mail at 79trm@comcast.net
Tambi Manns
Claypool, via e-mail
Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely to the 500-word limit state in our "Letters Policy."
