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Man Dying of Child Support Enforcement
Mens News Daily ^ | May 30, 2003 | Roger F. Gay

Posted on 05/31/2003 2:42:54 PM PDT by sourcery

The child support enforcement program is a disease that has probably caused more suffering and death than any other government program. It was introduced by Congress in 1975 and has been engineered into a weapon of mass destruction in the years since. Despite sound evidence of destructive economic, social, and political effects and repeated cases of suicide linked to insufferable conditions created by current practices, politicians and administrative representatives continue to satisfy themselves with less than convincing denials, a few false and misleading statistics, and the claim that "it's for the children."

Various protests have generally been ignored, even when they are so serious as to cause harm to protesters. Potential danger lies in a particular form of protest: the hunger strike. The problems with child support enforcement, which were internationalized during the 1990s, have been met with occasional hunger strikes in several countries. Daniel Chang, a Chinese immigrant, has been the most recent to stage a hunger strike in the United States. His strike began on May 15th in Piscataway, New Jersey. Dr. Chang holds a Ph.D. in computer science and has a professional job. Despite federal involvement based on a pre-existing federal involvement in welfare, this case has nothing to do with the public welfare system.

The federal child support enforcement program is not for the children of course. The money spent on children is just as green whether paid under state rules or through a federal program. The incentive is the billions of dollars that Congress spends each year to keep people interested. States receive "incentive funds" in proportion to the amount of child support collected. In order to maximize the amount of funds they receive, states enrolled as many men as they could and arbitrarily increased the amount they were ordered to pay. All payments are counted as "collections." Everybody in government understands the scheme. It's pork. It's a brand of corruption older than government itself. A prospective enemy was demonized ("dads"), and people were called to arms against them; pledging their money and loyalty to the cause.

My early introduction to the child support enforcement system included a case in which a chiropractor had been involved in a serious auto-accident that resulted in brain damage. He was unable to continue his practice, and his savings was eaten up by medical bills. The state enforcement agency echoed the prevailing political sentiment ? "There is no excuse for not paying child support," and began confiscating social security benefits in an effort to satisfy the very high payments that had been set in light of his previously high income. The crippled man was left without sufficient income to pay for rent and food, and certainly without sufficient funds to pay a lawyer to attempt to straighten things out.

The reason for such harsh measures is the federal funding system. States receive money in proportion to the amount of child support "collected." Taking away social security benefits may have been worth $10 a month to the state; a little bit toward paying the salary of the collection agent who was robbing him of his sustenance.

This is the system that Dr. Chang is fighting. It isn't about reducing welfare expenditure. The money he owed is for support of his daughter from his first marriage. She is now 20 years old (an adult) and studying pharmacy at Rutgers University. He also has a 12 year old daughter from his second marriage. A well-paid professional, the austerity of his home and lifestyle is testimony to payment levels that are out of proportion to caring for children. Someone in his economic position would normally be able to raise two children in reasonably good style.

That judges have become beneficiaries in the enforcement scheme, pay linked to outcome, is a direct attack on judicial independence and therefore our Constitution ? in effect, an attack against the United States. American colonists raised this same issue in the Declaration of Independence; complaining about the King of Great Britain and his manipulations of democracy and the rule of law. "He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries."

Dr. Chang has only protested once before. In June, 1989 he marched with others in New York City to protest the killing of peaceful protesting students and others by the Chinese government. The only pattern seems to be a loathing of government oppression. And this time it's personal. He has been jailed three times (once for 108 days) and has no drivers license due to child support debt. This represents two of the practices fathers so often complain about. Atop arbitrary, unjustifiably high child support orders, often the reason for debt to begin with, spending time in jail and being unable to drive make earning an income to pay child support (and support oneself) ever so much harder. The alleged success of such practices is really a few instances in which friends and family, who do not owe child support, have pitched in to pay debts. That led at least one judge to claim that the practices worked for him. By and large, the expanded practice has left tens of thousands of fathers without licenses and an untold number with unlimited jail time; often until debt is paid, with no way to pay the debt while in jail.

Dr. Chang's experience is one that has been repeated many times across the country over the past fifteen years. Sheriff's deputies literally kicked in the door to his apartment and arrested him at gunpoint - weeks after he had made necessary payments. Employees at the Middlesex County Child Support Department had refused to help weeks earlier after his employer had missed a child support payment and miscalculated another. His employer is charged with making payments after deducting them from his pay, a common practice since the early 1990s. Dr. Chang points out that his employer is generally cooperative with the agency, but had made errors after an end-of-year payroll conversion. He contacted the child support agency and sent the money himself, but that didn't stop the violent enforcement action weeks later.

Give me liberty, or give me death! Or as Dr. Chang puts it: "It is better to die once than live a thousand humiliations." Isn't this just the sort of thing that led to the American Revolution? Is it the kind of government behavior that led to student protests in Tienanmen Square? It's probably deeper than that.

The assault on a man's life typically begins with a mother who decides to "liberate" herself from marriage, simply dealing a father out of his own personal and family life. The process is exceptionally easy. The government has been dedicated to helping women "liberate" themselves from marriage for decades. Once extricated, women often move on to new relationships, taking his children, a portion of his property and future income with them. The engineering of a new life quite often involves keeping the old one (the ex-husband) at an extreme distance, totally disengaged from his own children.

The process and its effects involve the deepest emotions there are. But to that we have now added a government operation designed by people who are using the situation to steal. They're stealing money from these very same fathers, often making mere existence difficult. They are doing it in order to steal money from taxpayers who are paying for the system in proportion to the amount of money taken from fathers. Finally, as if that isn't enough, they're stealing freedom and even life.

Dr. Chang hopes to force a conclusion to his ordeal within one month of the start of his protest. If he can, he will eat again and return to work. He has two weeks vacation and has arranged for a two week extension. This defines his goal of ? in effect ? winning an argument within a month. His water and salt diet is dangerous, especially if it continues for long. Several people have met with him, and have encouraged him to stay alive. When he began his strike on May 15th, he weighed 166 pounds. When I last received an email message from him, May 28th, his weight was 16 pounds less - 150 pounds.

Dr. Chang has vowed to continue until his demands are met. They are as follows (in his own words).

1. I do not owe any money to ex-wife Yee-Sang Yen. 2. If I have a job, fair monthly support money will be sent to the child, Olivia Chang, directly without going through any child support department. 3. The Middlesex Child Support Department repairs the damage it caused to my credit, and informs the Motor Vehicle Services to erase all my driving suspensions and restore my driving privilege immediately. 4. The Middlesex Child Support Department reimburses me the following: $282 for restoring my driving licenses, the cost of repairing the door damaged by the sheriffs, $280 taken from my wallet, $20 for getting from the Middlesex County Court to home.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: fatherhood
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To: TheCrusader
Well since I have a math final coming up Wednesday, and haven't slept since early Sunday, I guess I'm going to reformat to read your reply. Hold on please, it's been a long day...
221 posted on 06/02/2003 7:43:56 PM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (America...love it or leave it. Canada is due north-Mexico is directly south...start walking.)
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To: Paul C. Jesup
Been married for 20 years to my first husband, and since I've behaved myself and so has he, none.

Enjoy your freedom. I have a family for eternity, and that's worth far more.
222 posted on 06/02/2003 7:58:49 PM PDT by ChemistCat (3 Nephi 17:7-8)
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To: Orangedog
Having just finished reading this thread, I'm afraid I must single you out and respond to your posts. Allow me to share two stories.

First, a young man gets his high school sweetie pregnant. He wants to marry, but she refuses. He gives up a full football college scholarship and works to support the child. He and his parents continue a good rapport with the girlfriend, maintain a very close relationship with his daughter, and are delighted being father and grandparents to this beautiful child. Eight years go by when the girlfriend, with child by her side, run into another fellow she knew (biblically speaking) in high school. He sees the child and immediately suspects she is his - the resemblance is remarkable. He has dna tests run and discovers he is the father. He wants and gets the opportunity to support and visit his daughter. Mugging victim #1 and his parents go to court so they can still see the child they love and have always thought to be theirs. The court denies visitation and they are left with broken hearts.

Second story - After ten years of marriage and the birth of two little girls, a husband wants a divorce. His parents are wealthy and influential and pay off a local judge to win full custody of the children, the home, and all furnishings. The wife, broke from attorney fees, has to completley start over. (She was awarded only her personal belongings.) Every dime she ever saved went into a fund to pay an attorney to regain custody - she is understandably obsessed in this quest.

The fellow of the first story meets the lady from the second story (together they win back 1/2 custody of the wife's girls - although they must pay full child support for that right). They have been happily married for several years now.

Everyone's story and experience with the legal system is different. But to become so cynical from these experiences that all future opportunities for happiness are impossible seems so sad. I wish you the best.
223 posted on 06/03/2003 8:46:16 AM PDT by Quilla
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To: ChemistCat
So you are basically a closet feminist.
224 posted on 06/03/2003 12:32:01 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: Paul C. Jesup
Happy marriage for 20 years and a stay at home mom. Yeah, right, I'm a feminist. Stuff it, jerk.
225 posted on 06/03/2003 1:07:27 PM PDT by ChemistCat (Just 'cuz Iran says it doesn't necessarily make it false, just suspect.)
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To: ChemistCat
I must have hit a nerve. I guess you don't like being called what you are.
226 posted on 06/03/2003 1:46:55 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: Paul C. Jesup
You'll never in your life be as happy as my husband is, because you aren't man enough to set your "freedom" aside to please a woman, old-fashioned or not. You blame all women for your lack of true masculinity.

But I'm glad you know your worth. Most men who don't know it go on ahead and have serial marriages and abandon or ruin a few children in the process.

I have only contempt for men who take pride in hating all women for the sins of a few. (And vice-versa, but I haven't seen any of those women on this thread, except in your misogynist imagination.)

227 posted on 06/03/2003 4:15:58 PM PDT by ChemistCat (Just 'cuz Iran says it doesn't necessarily make it false, just suspect.)
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To: ChemistCat
What can I say but that I am not attracted to the irresponsible, self-centered, narcissistic, ‘I love me’ t-shirt wearing, ‘golden parachuting’, sexually loose, man-blaming feminists that make up 90% of the female population of my generation. And all the rest of the good ones are already taken.

And I blame you and those like you for creating this situation.

228 posted on 06/03/2003 5:47:23 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: ChemistCat
But I'm glad you know your worth. Most men who don't know it go on ahead and have serial marriages and abandon or ruin a few children in the process.

Listen to yourself, in reality, where I live, most of the time it is the WOMAN that abandons the MAN.

229 posted on 06/03/2003 5:49:35 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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Comment #230 Removed by Moderator

To: ChemistCat
For your sake, I hope you raised you children because chances are when you are old, they will dump you in a nursing home.

And that is the poetic justice that I so look forward to seeing in your generation. You have corrupted future generations to the point where those that you thought loved you will betray you in the end.

231 posted on 06/03/2003 6:56:29 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: ChemistCat
For your sake, I hope you raised you children WELL because chances are when you are old, they will dump you in a nursing home.

And that is the poetic justice that I so look forward to seeing in your generation. You have corrupted future generations to the point where those that you thought loved you will betray you in the end.

232 posted on 06/03/2003 6:56:50 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: sourcery
The child support enforcement program is a disease

What's amazing is that most on this site would never, everaccept alcoholism or gambling as a disease because it negates responsibility on an individuals part but this they champion as a 'disease'. Disgusting.

233 posted on 06/03/2003 7:02:03 PM PDT by ShadowDancer
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To: Paul C. Jesup
My daughter won second place out of 230 students in an elementary religion bee. She is 9, and had to ask us what the "F" word was when she overheard someone in a store saying it. Her older brother has memorized most of the Bible. My youngest sings hymns like an angel, and read her first chapter book this week. All three of them tried jumping off a diving board when they are afraid, just because I told them they'd be fine. They trusted me completely, and I was right. They are brave and smart and moral and I'm proud of them. You know what? I'm not at all concerned about their future.

They honor each other and are respectful to adults. If they "stick me" in a nursing home I know it'll be because it's their last option, to make sure I'm cared for, and they'll be there for me every day. Who will visit you?

You miss out on all of the joys of having a family, because you have judged half your race unworthy of you--probably because you hang out in the very worst places. Go to church, a church where people actually believe in works as well as faith, and you might possibly meet someone who would give you a different view of things--but I think you're already far too sour to find one.

Hang out in a bar, and no matter how much you drink, you're still surrounded by women who might possibly fit the description you provide. You view half of humanity through a pretty nasty filter. So you write your genes out of the human race.
234 posted on 06/03/2003 7:12:47 PM PDT by ChemistCat
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To: ChemistCat
You view half of humanity through a pretty nasty filter.

You are the one who beleives that.

Note I said, 90%, that leaves 10% in this country and the rest of the world, but because of the laws you support it makes just dating very dangerious.

235 posted on 06/03/2003 8:01:59 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: Paul C. Jesup
I support men paying for their get. My husband supports men paying for their get. He's going to post here shortly, just because it's so much fun to mess with a small, little hockey puck of a shrunken head.

Lucky you...you're not a real man, so you won't have that problem--paying for your children! You get to spend ALL your money on yourself!

Freedom!

Play DOOM while MY husband is taking his daughter to dance lessons! Come home to an empty house with your favorite brand of hand lotion, while I'm snuggling and giggling and wiggling in bed with a wedded spouse who won't abandon me or my children, and for whom "child support" means all he is and all he has.

And at the end of your life, what have YOU DONE with your time? Shivered in fear that a woman might take your money! Woooo! The ultimate cowardice, to lose all because you'd risk nothing.

I Give You Montrose's Toast

He either fears his fate too much,
Or his desserts are small,
Who dares not put it to the touch,
To win or lose it all.

236 posted on 06/03/2003 8:11:01 PM PDT by ChemistCat
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To: Paul C. Jesup
What can I say but that I am not attracted to the irresponsible, self-centered, narcissistic, ‘I love me’ t-shirt wearing, ‘golden parachuting’, sexually loose, man-blaming feminists that make up 90% of the female population of my generation. And all the rest of the good ones are already taken.

Searching for some mousy "yes" girl aren't we? One who will quietly agree with all your political rants, your cultural rants, your misogynist rants, while waiting on you hand and foot and being your personal whipping post when your pathetic, antisocial method of dealing with people bites you on the ass career wise.

Then, when she finally has enough of you and your crap after several years, when she leaves, you can call her a slut, a whore, evil and the death of Western culture.

You aren't looking for a wife, you're looking for a blowup doll that does household chores.

237 posted on 06/04/2003 9:06:28 AM PDT by Chancellor Palpatine (Fox News - We report the Peterson case. You decide whether our Peterson Coverage beats the rest.)
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To: Chancellor Palpatine
And you are a (self-hating) man-hater who prefers mousy men. Those who will quietly agree with all feminist political rants, feminist cultural rants, man-hating rants, while having those same men wait hand and foot and while being the whipping post for feminists.

It is YOU who are pathetic. All I have done it point out have antisocial most of the female population have become towards men. While you just have a knee-jerk reaction to the truth.

238 posted on 06/04/2003 10:30:36 AM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: ChemistCat
You just don't get it. If a man has none of the rewards, then he should have burdens.

That is fair.

239 posted on 06/04/2003 10:32:51 AM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: ChemistCat
You just don't get it. If a man has none of the rewards, then he should have NONE OF THE burdens.

That is fair.

240 posted on 06/04/2003 10:33:12 AM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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