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If these people are not looking for publicity and "want to be left alone", why was the news media there at their house ready to photograph and report on the situation? How did they hear about it before the incident actually happened? These are not assumptions.

The situation has been ongoing for 6 or 7 years now and the goobs haven't given up, they are upping the stakes. They just might have wanted publicity to rally some help rather than gain some kind of backhanded celebrity status.

I note that John Adams used the words "cherish the interests" and "to encourage" not "mandate by law", "require" or "legislate". I would equate that with the phrasing in the preamble to the Constitution "promote the general welfare". It would have made a world of difference if they had phrased it "establish the general welfare". Given the care that went into creating that document I don't think it was an oversight.

FReegards, TigersEye

I made no judgment about their motives behind their thirst for publicity. You accused me of making an assumption but apparently, you have now accepted the fact that they are looking for publicity.

Regarding the Constitution:

First, you ignored the word "inculcate" which I think carries a slightly stronger connotation than the words you selected to highlight.

Second, I would agree that the passage is open to interpretation and in a liberal state like Massachusetts, has, I assume, been liberally interpreted by the courts. The laws put in place to "encourage" all citizens to be educated are normally obeyed by the vast majority of citizens. Filing minimal annual education plans is hardly an infringement of citizens' rights. It's only when citizens refuse to cooperate (there's that word again), that the government sees fit to press harder. In this case, the state has acted a bit heavy handed, especially as evidenced by the choice of words of the social worker from DSS but that's what happens when you paint people (and governments) into a corner. My understanding is that DSS is backing down now. I don't believe the children were ever in danger of being physically taken away by the state over this which is why the parents are willing to let it go this far.