Ms. Suares:

 

I am writing in regards to your child support enforcement
article (http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=5271171&nav=menu119_3)
, which seemed, like several I have read in this area, very biased and
one-sided against the non-custodial Parents, highlighting the efforts to track
down these "deadbeats" and give them forty lashes in the town
square.  However, you failed to ask
several questions in this case:

 

1.  Specifically,
of the $810 million you mention in your article that remains uncollected, about
how much of that is principal and how much of that is interest and
penalties?  Also, how much of that $810
million is determined based upon imputed income, which is highly skewed and
assumes full employment at a job that the judge and the custodial parent imagine
that non-custodial parent is at (or should be at).

2.  You also fail
to mention the response of many of these non-custodial parents, who often times
are beaten down and cowed by a system that seems to favor the first to the
courtroom door and plagues the other sides with demands and accusations,
oftentimes forcing the NCP into a situation where hiding from the system seems
to be a better option.  Of course this
could be understood. 
"Deadbeats" and "fugitives" do not always find their
way out to talk to reporters like yourself.

3.  You also
finally fail to mention the other side, parents who want to pay their child
support but who have found themselves on tough times economically.  What about them?  What options do the Mississippi Department of
Human Services give to the parents that lost the custody battle?  All you have is a single statement from a
custodial parent "I encourage everyone who is a single parent to come out
and DHS will support you," [Single Mom Angela Robinson] says.  By the way, I find it oddly amusing to see
the sanctity that you invest the title Single Mother with, even going out of
your way to make it a proper noun while you leave the "deadbeats" and
"fugitives" with much more common nouns.

Finally, if you do have a response portion of your show,
a question from me in response to this quote:

MDHS Director Don Taylor has a message for parents:
"You need to look at what you're doing now and ask yourself, 'Is this how
I want my child to remember me?'"

Mr. Taylor, how do you want the children to remember the
non-custodial parent?  As somebody beaten
down by the system, existing paycheck to paycheck but making sure you and the
other fat-cats down at the public trough get yours?

I'm sure you will be quick to respond to this letter, but
in case you do not, I am publishing this letter online as I will any response
you wish to utter.  I am, after all, fair
and objective, something that seems to be lacking in your story.

 

Mr. John Meyer

Non-Custodial Parent

Pueblo, CO

 

P.S. If you are seeking a telephone number for a
confirmation of this response, I will be more than happy to send you one should
you want to use this letter.

 

WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Child Support Enforcement Month