The Grand Rapids Press printed the misleading propaganda of government without asking necessary investigative questions and quoting misleading biased sources without thorough disclosure. That was evident in the article "Cuts could crimp child support" printed on Sunday July 23, 2006.
The Detroit Free Press has been in a similar rut as the Grand Rapids Press when it comes to the various arguments proposed by pro-welfare groups like Grand Rapids ACES. See my previous letter to the editor regarding Jack Kresnak's article: http://www.laryholland.com/serendipity/archives/272-Jack-Kresnaks-Article-Misses-Key-Investigative-Point..html.
The current article fails to address the most obvious question which is "why is the child support and foc system overburdened?" Instead the article publishes the statements of Kelli VanDyken and Dawn Swafford, both leaders of a group looking to expand welfare services to people that don't need them at the tax payers expense. One of them is passed off as a "Comstock Park Resident" instead of disclosing the fact that she too is one of the group's leaders. In past the GR ACES has been exposed for their public discrimatory remarks and Kent County Friend of the Court's support of those statements. See: April 2006 Statements with .
I felt it necessary to email Chairman Roger Morgan of the Kent County Board of Commissioners to help him understand why the Friend of the Court (Title IV-D Welfare Contractor) is in the position that it is now. That reason is because Title IV-D Welfare (FOC) is being used as a way for States and Counties to generate huge amounts of revenue instead of providing a safety-net to needy families. There is a very large number of FOC caseloads that are people that are not even receiving TANF services. However, many times FOC staff are now recommending that recipients request TANF services from DHS because they know that there are imminent changes on the horizon for the program.
I also communicated the appropriate information to Representative Peter Hoekstra this weekend regarding Title IV-D Welfare Services being further abused by the States and forwarded appropriate support showing how simple administrative and legislative changes could improve and streamline the system for needy families instead of the current bloated operation that is strangling county budgets.
Please take a minute to review the other information below to fully understand the problems associated with free-for-all welfare spending programs.
Other Information:
1. Email to Grand Rapids Board of Commisioner: Chairman Roger Morgan
2. Fax to Congressman Peter Hoekstra's Office: Honorable Peter Hoekstra
3. Letter to Dr. Wade Horn: Assistant Secretary of DHHS
4. Endorsement letter from Center for Parental Responsibility
6. Nationwide Campaign: Did I Say Requesting Change Would Be Easy?
7. Requesting Change is a Matter of Adminstration and Legislation.
8. Letter to Secretary Henry Paulson and Asst. Secretary Mark Warshawsky
