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it seems to me that the vast majority of kids who are taken away are living in some pretty CRAPPY homes with crappy or non-existent parents.

One would tend to naturally think that is the case - until one gets into the inner workings of the whole scenario and sees both sides from the inside, as I did when I, my organization and net-worked organizations fought gov't intrusion into homes/families.

I even had state legislators who would give me a heads up on hearings with the DHS and quietly invite me to attend - much to the chagrin of the state lackeys.

I remember a public hearing where someone asked the rep of the Dept of Human Services if it were true that 86% of the cases where the dept had taken a child from their home on 'suspected' charges turned out to be in error and the child returned.

the answer: "Well, yes, but we feel that it's better to err on the side of..."

So, it's okay, with the state operatives, to forever traumatize a child and rip away their vital feeling of security in their homes and in their parents ability to keep them safe in their homes, in overwhelming unwarranted numbers - and that isn't seen as child abuse in and of itself?

But here's the real kicker, folks. (Wake up call.)

For most states, the Foster Care System is their "Slush Fund" - for every child they can get into Foster Care, the dept draws x-amount of dollars into it's coffers - much more than is paid the Foster Parents.

As long as this profit system tied to the Foster Parent program exists, there will be great abuses.

You may also become aware that, in many of the cases where a CLEAR CUT danger to a child is apparent, they drag their heals until something tragic takes place.

There's also the component of just who become Foster Parents and why.

There are many wonderful people who become Foster Parents and for all the right reasons - and they have done a great job.

However, there are many less that stellar Foster Parents who do it for the money - and their are far too many cases of abused/murdered children in these homes.

Add to that the destructive practice of a child being tossed and torn between several 'homes' during their 'incarceration' with the state - destroying any chance of stability or trust, security and a feeling of being really loved = and many of these children fare little better than in the homes they were taken from.

We tend to think of the 'case workers' as caring, dedicated people - while the facts are that, tho' some are, many are dedicated to a good pay check and the best benefits in the state.

The children are caught in the cross-hairs.

We also need to remember: there is little the "state" or the federal gov't can do better than individuals. After all, who IS the gov't but a group of other individuals.