Lary Holland: Official Blog, Links, and Resources (Entries tagged as Other Opinions)

Happy Father's Day: A Michigan Father's Day Hope!

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:17:44 -0400

As I was perusing my emails this afternoon, this one caught my eye among many others today wishing fathers a "Happy Father's Day" and I wanted to pass it on in the event that you are not a member of some of the various support groups out there that this was circulated to. Although it is focused on Michigan, the effects of failed government policies over the entire family, not just fathers, are widespread nationwide issues. This is from Murray Davis of National Family Justice Association.

A MICHIGAN FATHER’S DAY HOPE

It is with hope we celebrate Father’s Day in Michigan this year. Hope that we will finally recognize and admit our failures of the past. Not necessarily the failures of fathers to their families, but rather the failure of government and society to permit fit, responsible fathers to be equitable parents to their children, despite marital status.

This is especially significant in Detroit, Flint and other urban areas of Michigan where nearly seventy percent of families are headed by single parents…mostly mothers where the children have little or no involvement from their fathers. Society and government policies have traditionally made it easy to vilify these fathers as irresponsible. But in truth, most fathers, are responsible, non-abusive, and desire to be fit parents; however, government has historically implemented and continues to exercise policies, laws that mandate only financial child support…completely ignoring the emotional, psychological, and spiritual support of fathers children also desperately need.

Overwhelming social pathology research shows single-parented children are growing up in increasingly alarming numbers to use drugs, experiencing educational, health, emotional/behavioral problems and especially engaging in criminal behavior much more so than those who either live in two-parent households or who have meaningful access to both fit parents.

While current Michigan law may permit joint custody of minor children to be only a consideration in divorce cases, state family courts seldom rule in favor of this type of shared parenting responsibilities; thus, creating single family custodial households at an alarming rate. The results are publicized in the press and media nearly every day with “most dangerous city” crime headlines and dismal “worst in the nation” high school graduation rates..

Yet legislators and public officials still refuse to implement the only changes that offer us real solutions to many of our societal problems. That is, to enable both fit and willing parents to discharge their parenting responsibilities in a significant manner without state government interference, even if not under one roof.

This constitutional right, known as the shared parenting bill, is currently under review in the Michigan House of Representatives. It is a simple, inexpensive solution that costs the taxpayers nothing and, in fact, will save billions of dollars over time that our state government now must spend in social services, law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The shared responsibility legislation would allow children to have the love and care of both fit parents in their lives regardless of marital status.

Father’s Day 2008 in Michigan could indeed be a celebration for all Michigan families once we truly recognize what has been missing in nearly a million of our children’s lives…responsible fathers!

MURRAY DAVIS of Southfield is board president of the National Family Justice Association, www.nfja.org, a national nonprofit education and advocacy organization for issues that affect American children and their families. Contact Davis at NFJAPres@aol.com.

Editorial ~ Why Parenting Time Motions Fail and Child Support Motions Succeed (especially in Kent County)

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 10:49:11 -0500

TO EDITOR/STAFF WRITER:

RE: Why Parenting Time Motions Fail and Child Support Motions Succeed.

After a Friend of the Court Citizen Advisory Committee meeting an
attorney indicated that it seemed that their parenting time motions seem to fail more frequently than child support motions succeed. This was a brilliant observation and I wanted to take a quick moment and tell you why.

For every three dollars ($3.00) that your local court spends on Child
Support Enforcement the court receives two dollars ($2.00) by way of
federal block grant money. Additionally to make up the difference of the remaining one dollar balance the local courts have been able to use what is known as federal incentive grants from the federal government, which has made it possible to “profit” from operating a “successful” child support enforcement program. An immense gain by the state is to be had by operating a "successful" child support enforcement program which means that a child cannot have substantially equal time with both parents. In order to maximize federal money the states create the appearance of an absentee parent for purposes of the Child Support Enforcement welfare program. Successful also means maximizing the number of participants the state has in its Child Support Enforcement welfare program by including the middle-class at the sole expense of the U.S. Tax Payer.

See 42 USC 655; “Payment to States”;
See 42 USC 658a; “Incentive payments to States”;

In a parenting time conflict, there is disincentive to allow children
to have substantially equal time with their parents because then the
parents do not fit wholly into the above welfare program model as being absent. The more parenting time provided, typically, child support is reduced or abated. A reduction in participants is a reduction in the justification of federal monies to the state. Normally the reduction of expenditures is encouraged by government but in this case the oppositeholds true because there is a profit derived from the excess influx of funds. Because of lack of eligibility requirements there is immense waste in the new Child Support Enforcement Beuracracy. In 2006 alone, 4.2 BILLION of our Social Security Fund, nationally, is being invested into this program which is a huge disincentive for the states to allow substantially equal parenting time with both parents.

The huge mass of money out of your social security also is the reason
that the State is so eager to incorporate all the middle-class into
their Child Support Enforcement welfare programs; that means higher support awards and an appearance of more need for federal money now that there is widespread expanded group participation.

The new welfare abuser is not the people, but the states who have
shaped their participant numbers to create the appearance of need for a program that lacks eligibility requirements. The reality is that there are many fit, willing, and competent parents that are trapped in a welfare system against their will and they are being prevented from parenting their children because the state wants to maximize their federal funding and make them look absent.

Very Truly Yours,
/s/ /s/
Lary Holland
5180 Cedar Lake Rd.
Oscoda, MI 48750
(989) 747-0079 (v)
(989) 764-5920 (f)

A Lawyer Asked last week... Why Parenting Time Motions Fail...

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 18:24:46 -0500

An attorney posed the question last week why Parenting Time Motions are failing but Child Support Motions seem to keep succeeding... My answer to him and his colleagues was:

March 07, 2006

RE: Why Parenting Time Motions Fail and Child Support Motions Succeed.

Dear Mr. ************,

Yesterday, after the Oakland CAC meeting, you indicated that it seemed that your parenting time motions seem to fail more frequently than your child support motions succeed. This was a brilliant observation and I wanted to take a quick moment and tell you why.

For every three dollars ($3.00) that your local court spends on Child Support Enforcement the court receives two dollars ($2.00) by way of federal block grant money. Additionally to make up the difference of the remaining one dollar balance the local courts have been able to use what is known as federal incentive/performance grants from the federal government, which has made it possible to “profit” from operating a “successful” child support enforcement program. An immense gain is to be had by operating a child support enforcement program by the state that discourages substantial time a child spends with both parents. This creates the appearance of an absentee parent for purposes of this welfare program.

See 42 USC 655; “Payment to States”;

See 42 USC 658a; “Incentive payments to States”;

In a parenting time conflict, there is disincentive to allow parents substantial parenting time because then parents do not fit wholly into the above welfare program model. The more parenting time provided, typically, child support is reduced or abated. This causes a reduction in the justification of federal monies for the state. Normally the reduction of expenditures is encouraged by government but in this case the opposite holds true because there is a profit derived from the excess funds. In 2006 alone, 4.2 BILLION of our Social Security Fund, nationally, is being invested into this program which is a huge disincentive for the states to allow substantial parenting time with both parents.

The huge mass of money out of social security also is the reason that the State is so eager to incorporate the middle-class into their Title IV-D/CSE welfare programs; because that means higher support awards and an appearance of justifying more need for federal money due to widespread expanded group participation.

Very Truly Yours,

/s/ /s/

Lary Holland

Rick Santorum, It takes a family...

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 04:11:41 -0400

Well, I perused through part of Rick Santorum's new book and found an excerpt that was interesting. How does one feel more affirmed by society by leaving their children at a babysitter's house all day every day? Worse, how does a so called Family Court sanction and encourage such situations? These should be good questions for the Kent County, MI Judges!

Rick Santorum, It Takes A Family:

...What happened in America so that mothers and fathers who leave their children in the care of someone else - or worse yet, home alone after school between three and six in the afternoon - find themselves more affirmed by society. Here, we can thank the influence of radical feminism, one of the core philosophies of the village elders Sadly the propaganda campaign launched in the 1960s has taken root. The radical feminists succeeded in undermining the traditional family and convincing women that professional accomplishments are the key to happiness.

getting photos online.

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Sat, 27 Aug 2005 23:26:32 -0400

Well I started to install coppermine a graphics library for you all to see how wonderful the kids are! Alot of you have asked for pictures, I will see what I can do about that. The link is http://www.laryholland.com/coppermine/ and you should be able to view immediately. I will try and get the summer photos and last years photos online. It will take some time!

It's Friday!

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 01:38:00 -0400

and no phone call from Annalise. We wait until 7:15pm and off to visit friends and family. We had a blast today and my son came up to me in the morning outside in our backyard with one of the plants that you blow and make a wish... he said... Dad, do you want to make a wish? I said, my wish already came true this morning. He said what was it. I said.. It was that you and sister would both give me a huge hug and you already did that alot of times today! He said to me in the most sincere voice... "My wish is to be with you forever dad, I don't like being in Grand Rapids." It's so heartbreaking.

We stuck around this evening until 7:15pm to make sure that Annalise wasn't going to call again.

Happy Birthday to me.

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 23:22:00 -0400

I walked through the door and confetti was thrown upon me and a beautifully painted sign from my daughter hung on the door. It was an ambush for a birthday party for me. The house was full of kids from the surrounding area. I had a triple chocolate cake, ice cream, and presents. My daughter got me awesome pencils (that she really likes) and my son got me new markers and a new organizer/whiteboard! (that he also likes!) Lynnette got me a new pair of furry slippers and an immaculate robe! It was one of the best birthdays that I ever had and the kids had a blast with all their friends over. Oh and by the way, Annalise never called again at 7:00pm.

Inching our way there...

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 23:44:00 -0400

We enjoyed the day as we inched closer to Grand Rapids... as the kids both recognized that we were getting closer to Grand Rapids, both of them were begging to not go and that they wanted to stay with dad. My son, who is six was hiding behind things and saying please don't let mom see me, tell her I got lost, I want to stay with you Dad. He especially is miserable each time that he has to go back and is actually fearful of what is going to happen to him if he says anything good about his Dad. Even our daughter recognizes that she would like to stay 2 more weeks 2 more weeks and other long extensions. It's heartbreaking...

That letter that Peter Walsh wrote was something!

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 00:35:00 -0400

Well 7:00pm rolled by again and no phone call from Mom, which only further supports my previous rebuttal regarding Peter Walsh's irrational letter on July 25, 2005. Shoot last night we even tried to call her with no answer. It's almost pointless for us to even cut into our day for something that only happens once in a GREAT while. Nonetheless, right after we were all clear from the telephone, we headed all down to the "Swimming Hole", then we tested out skate scooter, and all played around the house this evening. The kids friends are all spending the night tonight and they spent a large portion of the evening playing with out Dog/Buddy in the back yard. They did manage to accidentally let him out of the back yard at one point and I had fun chasing him down real quick! Everybody had a fun time laughing at Dad running down the road to make sure that our dog didn't get in any trouble.

Kent County Friend of the Court

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Wed, 03 Aug 2005 02:18:00 -0400

Well, it's late now and the kiddos went to bed awhile ago, we had fun riding bikes and walking around. They LOVE THE OUTDOORS. I come into my room and check my EFAX and see a Fax from the Kent County Friend of the Court. Christine Nyberg, finally responded back pertaining to my records being imaged. Looks like they will be done this week, but I have to send a response in pertaining to some color images that I don't need. The black and white versions will be fine AND CHEAP!

Looks like tomorrow I will write a letter in the morning and also follow-up with a bunch of other letters. Busy day, because I think it is going to be nice out and we may have to go swimming in Lake Huron! One of the favorites for the kids.

You all remember that Letter Attorney Peter Walsh wrote...

laryholland@sbcglobal.net (Lary Holland) — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 22:30:00 -0400

That letter that Attorney Walsh wrote back on July 25, 2005, the one where he says:

I also need right now a phone number where you can be reached. I understand it has been months since you had an operable number and since my client has been able to talk to the children while they are with you.

well you see what time it is: 7:30pm. That's right. No telephone call.

After waiting around for a telephone call, we all know what happened.. It was wasted time. I picked the kids up today from the Day Care Provider that Peter's client hired to raise the kids.. When I rung the doorbell the lady named Connie yells down INTO THE BASEMENT that their Dad was here [there] to pick them up. The kids come stumbling out of the basement and come outside. On the way to the car they were saying how they had to sleep twice today. In fact this is a regular occurrence with the poor kids, Connie the hired full time caregiver by Peter's client, keeps the poor kids down in the basement and makes them sleep an exhorbatant number of hours. When they are not sleeping, they are watching mindless tv. They wonder why my son is going into Special Education... its because he hates it there and wants me to teach him. My daughter complains constantly about the day care and her mom, and they think if you give the kids brownies and take a few happy pictures that that is raising a child.

The reality of it, the kids are severely neglected. Sometimes they are abused mentally because their mom, Peter's client, doesn't let them speak with me when I call. You see Peter Walsh's letter he wrote last week, but then you see that his client doesn't call at 7:00pm no matter what. A year ago I had to write several letters encouraging her to even call, but she was going through boyfriend after boyfriend and was too busy. Not what a concerned parent acts like. No less than three boyfriends of her's that she has tried to attach the children to, some with kids, some without. The kids are pushed onto temporary persons and then they are taken out of the children's lives. Sometimes Peter Walsh's client actually tells the kids "they are not dating [him] any more" and that "court took them away" implying that Dad had something to do with it.

Some parents need the sympathy of their children, this is one of those cases, where you have a mom that has had past Depression and been medicated, and then using the children as a crutch to get through life. Some of her domestic problems the kids have witnessed and she even had to use the children to actually console her in those situations. Scott, Brent, Joe, who knows who else, all over time decide to disappear. She has gone through as many jobs as boyfriends as well, all "to better herself" when really its more likely that she had to leave because her boyfriend was the boss. (speculation, but definitely past behavior).

I am sure I will write more before bed or when I get up in the morning. It's time to go for our walk and ride bikes! If there is a lesson here, its call your kids, especially if you having your attorney [Peter Walsh; July 25, 2005] make a big fuss about a big lie, you should at least try to conform to the lie....because when it comes down to the end of the day, we are not judged by our words... but by our actions.