Why Does Government Reward Irresponsible Behavior?

From Yahoo News:

Man who fathered 30 kids says he needs a break—on child support

Desmond Hatchett (YouTube)

And you thought Octomom had her hands full—a Tennessee man who has fathered 30 children is asking the courts for a break on child support.

Desmond Hatchett, 33, of Knoxville has children with 11 different women, reports WREG-TV.

The state already takes half his paycheck and divides it up, which doesn't amount to much when Hatchett is making only minimum wage. Some of the moms receive as little as $1.49 a month. The oldest child is 14 years old.

Hatchett explains how he reached such a critical mass: He had four kids in the same year. Twice.

Back in 2009 when Hatchett was in court to answer charges that many of the mothers were not receiving child support, he had 21 children. At the time, he said he was not going to father any more kids, but he ended up having nine more in the past three years.

The state cannot order Hatchett to stop making babies. He hasn't broken any laws, according to the report.

This story is disturbing is a variety of different ways.  Here are a few points to consider:

1.  The man cannot afford to take care of himself.

2.  There are many women who willfully accept a man who cannot take care of himself nor his children.

3.  These women willfully copulate with this man to create more children.

4.  Undoubtedly, these women will raise children who do not have a fair chance in life.  So will go on to create more poverty...

5.  Undoubtedly, these single parent families will go on to burden the welfare system.

6.  These children will show up in classrooms where a teacher will try to do his best with whatever is sitting in the desk.

7.  Who is paying for the healthcare of these children?

8.  Who is paying to feed these children, and the parent/s?

9.  Can these children be adopted out to good families?

10.  Are any of these families in the counsel of a religious institution?

In essence this case should become public debate, and it should be part of the political discussion between Presidential candidates.  Government cannot continue to reward the wrong type of behavior.  Instead of more jails, more cops, more social workers, and more under-preforming schools maybe someone should consider a real solution to this problem?

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory...

Just when you thought the 2012 Election was over, Obama and friends decided to come out of the closet.  Many people detest politicizing social agendas, quite simply they tend to distract from the real problems.  The real discussions should center around the economy, joblessness, and debt.  Instead, we will shift the debate about Romney's religion...  Obama's social agenda...  and in the debate... lose most of American voters with this smokescreen...  Is he really that sure of victory?  Or, has Biden helped him figure out a way to lose the election?

In other news, the American Petroleum institute has promised an economic boom in Ohio.  Marcellus and Uttica deposits will provide cheap energy sources for industry.  Steel plants that have been closed are springing to life in the Mahoning Valley once again... and undoubtedly, our energy sources will find its way to LNG (liquefied natural gas) plants that are coming on line on the east coast... for export to Europe.

As Europe continues to flounder under the belief of socialism or bust, the U.S. dollar now seems attractive.  Can this really be the truth with QE 3 and 4 on the horizon?  Feeling like I am playing a game of Spy Hunter from the 1980s.

Observations... Insights... and just a few other thoughts...

A Trip to the Bank

Today was a wonderful day to take my children down to the bank for a financial lesson.  My wife went to great lengths this morning to explain to our eldest daughter that it is important to save money... that she should save a portion of gumball, birthday, etc. monies.

So we deposited money.  I introduced our children to the branch manager... and the fun began.  We asked what the bank was paying in interest.  The banker hesitated and said .01%.  So my oldest daughter would understand, I asked the bank how much interest $1,000.00 would earn over the course of a year.  "That would be $1.00 sir." Hallie and I agreed that we could do better than that on our own... 

Once we left the bank, Hallie wanted to know how we could make her money work harder for her... and I re-iterated the importance of investing in herself, a product, a service, and the market.  Her choice was to start a dividend re-investment plan with Dominion Natural Resources.  Currently, the company pays approximately 4% dividend, offer capital appreciation in stock price, and in my humble opinion offers a way to leverage the booming dry gas industry currently capping out at 2.0 per mcf.  This gas price will undoubtedly mean that dry gas will be a fuel source for years to come.  So she will now participate in an auto deduct program.

Utilities are boring, but the risk is relatively low, and it seems like a good avenue to invest.

The Value of a Family

The longer I live, the more I realize the importance of family.  Looking at my students every day, I have concluded that kids need three things.  Kids need love, morals, and a chance at a decent education.  If a kid has those three things they will probably turn out o.k..  The higher functioning student will tend of have a higher concentration of all three, and the lower functioning student will tend to have less.  

As a kid, it is easy to take family for granted.  More than likely kids don't know anything different than what they have been taught... and what they currently live.  My father who worked as a labor and delivery nurse always struggled when she took a baby and gave it back to a parent who would not provide a child with the essentials.  That, failure to provide a child with the essentials was a sure-fire way to raise an unwanted child.  

As a teacher, you can always tell the kids who enter the classroom from a decent home.  Two parent families... single parent families... kids will usually meet the expectations that are set for them.  And if the bar it set low enough, they will meed that expectation every time.  One thing is for certain, in our society there appears to be more concern over adopting pets and rescuing animals. It is my hope that leadership realizes that our government should not reward adults for the wrong types of anti-family behavior.  Kids need stability, love and attention... not neglect.

Iran

It appears that the stage is set for a showdown with Iran.  Consider the following points:

1.  Iran is inching closer to nuclear capabilities.

2.  Israel will not tolerate a nuclear Iran (nor should the rest of the world.)

3.  Hard-line Islamists currently rule Iran.

4.  While the Arab Spring appears to have brought enlightenment to the Middle East, it appears that Iran is continuing to repress its people... and this internal strife could be a way to get rid of the current government. And it could be the last peaceful way of letting Iran handle their own problems as opposed to heavy foreign involvement.

Israel is preparing for a military strike.  Air bases from inside Uzbekistan have already been secured.  Iraq could be the staging ground for another Iraq-Iran War should the right type of propaganda be promoted.  Syria, and its current leadership could be the wild card here.  If Assad stays in power it may take continue to take center-stage as an opening act.  But, make no doubt about it Iran will a point of conflict sooner than later.

  

Issue 2 Defeated in Ohio: A Picture is worth 1,000 Words!!!

First and foremost, thank you voters.  Thank you for your support, thank you for your for your compassion, thank you for standing up to a political machine that would have Ohio's public employees be the fall guys for bumbling political policies, and the misguided belief that public servants are easy scapegoats.

As you know, Ohio has 88 counties.  This morning we can see the landslide results of Issue 2.  Only six out of eighty-eight counties supported Issue 2!!!  That means 6.8% of Ohio supported the bill... or should we say that 93.2% were against it!!!

Hopefully, we can have a dialogue now about the best way that we (as public unions) can address some of the issues which made us politically vulnerable in the first place.  A union is only as strong as its weakest link.  WE need the ability to provide the best services available, and continue to serve the public.  Finally, we will need to work with state and local government to develop fair and reasonable funding options which are not regressive to Ohio's business climate.

For many public servants, this has been a long road.  Your efforts were phenomenal!  Never before in Ohio history have unions banded together to defeat a measure that personally attacked membership, and our service to other Ohioans.

 Ballots not Bullets...  Instead of fighting war with weapons, our election process is a war of ideas and words.  Every Election Day is a war that is settled on the most elementary principles of a democracy.  The power to petition the government, and redress grievances is the most basic part of our democracy.  Thank you for your support!!!  In Ohio, it is evident that the power belongs to the people!!!  Thank You!!! 

Corporate Boogymen... and Kasich's Desperate Last Stand!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dBNVjKtr4cI

As disturbing as it sounds... this link says it all!!!

NO ON ISSUE 2

Listen to John Glenn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_UfIbg9TZI&feature=relmfu

Business Against Issue 2... A Short List

Katzinger's Deli		Columbus, Ohio
Nexus Communications		Columbus, Ohio
Patrick Solutions		Columbus, Ohio
Star Arts Gallery		Columbus, Ohio
Market 65		Columbus, Ohio
Cup O'Joe		Columbus, Ohio
Cap City Direct		Columbus, Ohio
Canton Hotel & Restaurant Supply		Canton, Ohio
JP's Bar-B-Que		Columbus, Ohio
Naturepedic		Cleveland, Ohio
Planning Rehabilitation in Americas Communities		Cleveland, Ohio
Mr. Wonderfuls		Cleveland, Ohio
Madison Development Consulting		Cleveland, Ohio
McTech Construction		Cleveland, Ohio
Boost Mobile		Cleveland, Ohio
Union Eye Care		Cleveland, Ohio
Lutz Flowers		Cleveland, Ohio
Lanz Printing		Columbus, Ohio
Thompson Electric		Munroe Falls, Ohio
American Income Life		Cleveland, Ohio
Little Generations Daycare		Toledo, Ohio
Lutz Flowers		Cincinnati, Ohio
Keystone Press, Inc.		Toledo, Ohio
Roberts Auto Restoration		Toldeo, Ohio
Jacks Automotive		Oregon, Ohio
Santa Claus of Newton Falls		Newton Falls, Ohio
Dayton Printery		Dayton, Ohio
Sway's Trophy House		Marion, Ohio
Wayside Flower Shoppe		New Albany, Ohio
Mailbox and Services		Columbus, Ohio
One Stop Shop Liquor Agency		Austintown, Ohio
Ross Eatery & Pub		Lordstown, Ohio
U Drive Business Solutions		Mason, Ohio
Milleson Insurance Agency		Freeport, Ohio
Travonna Coffee House		Columbus, Ohio
Omega Music		Dayton, Ohio
PJ McIntyre's Irish Pub		Cleveland, Ohio
Susan's Key West Condo		Athens, Ohio
Tiki Bowling Lanes		Lancaster, Ohio
Grounds for Thought		Bowling Green, Ohio
Hang Tan		Columbia Station, Ohio
Big Heads Barber Shop & Beauty Salon		Columbus, Ohio
A Cut Above The Rest		Columbus, Ohio
Man In The Mirror Barber Shop		Columbus, Ohio
Flanagan's Pub		Dayton, Ohio
Jewitt's IGA		Mt. Sterling, Ohio
BAsically British		Dayton, Ohio
Trolley Stop		Dayton, Ohio
All Cards and Comics		Warren, Ohio
Our Family Restaurant		Youngstown, Ohio
Nationwide Insurance		Columbia Freeport, Ohio
CPR & FIrst Aid Training of Ohio		Niles, Ohio
Berea Barber Shop		Berea, Ohio
Creations By Lynn Florists of Berea		Berea, Ohio
Family Hobby, Inc.		Medina, Ohio
Mac's Backs Books - Three Floors Books		Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Erie Design		Columbia Lakewood, Ohio
Clementine's Victorian Restaurant		Olmsted, Ohio
Subdial Tanning Salon		Strongsville, Ohio
Wildlife Gardens		Solon, Ohio
Gaelic Imports		Parma, Ohio
On Top of The Hill		Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio City Burrito		Ohio City, Ohio
Yorktown Shoe Repair		Parma Heights, Ohio
Heidi's Alterations		Rocky River, Ohio
Copy Plus		Avon Lake, Ohio
Bullseye Firearms, LLC		Grafton, Ohio
Kent Natural Foods		Kent, Ohio
Build A Phone (Bling it on)		Columbia Canton, Ohio
ZTech Auto Care		Canton, Ohio
Blacklist Books		East Massillon, Ohio
Art Bombs Tattoos		Massillon, Ohio
Tiger Town Barber Shop		Massillon, Ohio
Orange Blossom Press		Cleveland, Ohio
Kondik Advertising and Printing		Bedford Heights, Ohio
EZ Screen and Printing		Cincinnati, Ohio
Clear Images		Toledo, Ohio
Sizemore Trucking		Holgate, Ohio
Studios South		Napoleon, Ohio
Apolstolic Christian Center / Kids Haven		Napoleon, Ohio
TAS, Inc.		Toledo, Ohio
Rettig Trucking		Napoleon, Ohio
Hunter Construction		Ottawa, Ohio
ZTech / Charlie's Car Care, Inc.		Defiance, Ohio
N&R&G Recycling, Inc.		Napoleon, Ohio
Double Dog Day Care		Stow, Ohio
Heaven Scent Flowerrs		New Cornerstone, Ohio
Pro-Lawn Mowing Services		Springsboro, Ohio
Vicars Heating and Air Conditioning		Liberty Center, Ohio
Ripke Trucker's Paradise		Lewis Center, Ohio
Irish Acres Lawn and Landscaping		Bowling Green, Ohio
AniGames		Toledo, Ohio
Old House Dinstinctive Gifts & Collectibles		Waterville, Ohio
Mosaic Cleaning		Columbus, Ohio
Swan Creek Bridal		Waterville, Ohio
Madison Graphic's		Lakewood, Ohio
Leatherman Masonry, LLC		Liberty Center, Ohio
Wild Horse Radio		Greenville, Ohio
Kustom Trim Tree Service, LLC		Akron, Ohio
Waters of Life Church		Columbus, Ohio
Paul Thomas Studios		Geneva, Ohio
Diversified Realty Services		Canton, Ohio
CUAD Studios, LLC		Columbus, Ohio
Shooters		Reynoldsburg, Ohio
HH & M, LLC		Pickerington, Ohio
Cosmos Industirals Services, Inc.		Cleveland, Ohio
Socanaylic		Canfield, Ohio
S J D Construction Co.		Hinckley, Ohio

More Facts on Issue 2

MYTH:  Unions never came to the table to discuss their concerns with Senate Bill 5, now Issue 2, during the legislative debate, and when given the chance to compromise, they refused.  TRUTH:  Thousands of Ohioans were locked out of their own Ohio Statehouse during the legislative debate and were unable to testify or let their voices be heard.  We Are Ohio stood firmly with the 1.3 million Ohioans who signed petitions to repeal SB 5 and told legislative leaders they should come back to Columbus and repeal the whole bill. 

MYTH:  All of Ohio’s business community supports Issue 2.  TRUTH:   More than 700 businesses in Ohio are part of the Proud Ohio Workers program that shows support for public and private sector workers who shop in their businesses.

MYTH:   Rolling back collective bargaining rights is needed to help managers do their jobs.   TRUTH:  Ohio passed a law in 1983 to establish collective bargaining for state workers.  The 1983 law has reduced labor strife and increased professional training and productivity.

MYTH:  Issue 2 is nothing more than a reasonable set of reforms needed to bring public employee salaries and benefits more in line with their private sector counterparts.   TRUTH:  There is nothing reasonable about Issue 2.  It takes away the rights and voices of hardworking Ohioans who serve our state and local communities.  It unfairly shifts the balance of all power to management.

MYTH:  Issue 2 just asks public employees to pay their fair share for healthcare benefits and pension costs.   TRUTH:  Issue 2 fundamentally changes collective bargaining and is a flawed bill with unintended consequences.  All state employees already pay 15% of their healthcare and 10% of their pension costs.  Many workers in local communities also pay at least these levels or more.  School employees in Grove City pay 35% of their healthcare costs.

MYTH:  Issue 2 will save jobs.  TRUTH:  Issue 2 will not create one job.  Between the devastating state budget cuts to local communities and Issue 2, the state could lose 51,000 jobs.  The truth is, due to more than one billion dollars in state budget cuts, local communities will be forced to fire and layoff vital safety services like police officers and firefighters.