Posted on 01/27/2009 8:36:55 AM PST by PercivalWalks
It's hard to believe, but the head of child support collections for Idaho says that unemployment is the "'unexpected' silver lining to Idaho's economic malaise." Why? Because it's easy to garnish dads' unemployment checks!
This is the typical attitude of child support enforcement officials--their job is to collect as much money as possible, regardless of whether the dad is poor or homeless (not to mention if he has been unfairly denied the right to be a part of his children's lives or isn't even the father of the child). Federal incentives which reimburse states for their child support enforcement operations feed the problem, since they also largely ignore these issues.
From Higher Idaho joblessness yields child-support cash (Idaho Statesman, 1/25/09):
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho's rising jobless rate is apparently helping the state collect child support, as Department of Health and Welfare collectors garnish unemployment benefits.
Director Richard Armstrong told the Joint Finance-Appropriations budget writing committee Tuesday that rising collections from deadbeat dads have been an "unexpected" silver lining to Idaho's economic malaise.
Some who historically haven't paid child support have now filed to collect unemployment benefits after joblessness more than doubled in a year to 6.6%, the highest in more than 20 years.
Armstrong says his employees can more easily garnish deadbeats' state checks - including to cover payments that are months in arrears.
How long this boost lasts is unclear. State unemployment benefits generally end after a maximum of 26 weeks.
To write a Letter to the Editor of the Idaho Statesman, click here. To comment on the story, click here.
The story can also be found in other Idaho media outlets--click here for others.
And as I posted in my statement, my sister has taken responsibility for her decision. By the way, my niece is not a mistake or a “consequence”. She is a blessing! No one can see all ends. I agree with several of the men who posted. You dont know what someone is going to do down the road. He was NOT a cruel heartless bum to her for four years. They didnt think they could have a child together so the issue never came up. When she found out she was pregnant then his attitude changed. She could not forsee that. Just because he didnt want a child, that doesnt relieve him of his responsibilty. Morally he IS responsible whether or not he ever grows up and actually takes responsibility is another thing entirely.
Thanks, and same to you. Also, thank you very much for your service to our country.
I don’t know about you, but what made it even harder for me was that my girls lacked a decent female presence in their life. Their mother was useless in that regard.
As a matter of fact they have mathematical proof
Don’t bother with Natural Law.
He’s one of those tiresome self-righteous “Christians” who refuses to remove the log from his own eye.
In Natural Law’s world, we’re only supposed to get involved with perfect people, never mind the flawed condition of humanity that Christians are supposed to be aware of.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.