True Stories Of The American Dream From the Hearts and Minds Of Real Americans Part III (2 of 2)
May 22nd 2009 11:29
“The bottom line in this matter rests on the fact that if I work and I don’t want the system to take care of my kids I am punished.”
As told in the words of Diane Pittman and narrated by Khalfani King
My punishment is in the form of not receiving the help that I need, and then an additional penalty of being forced to take care children without assistance.
When it was their dads turn no one did anything….
Now if I wanted to, lets say buy my children something just because they…
I don’t know, did well on their report card, it won’t be taken out of the $498.00 per month; it would only be considered a gift.
There is “NO” possible way for me to live under these rules.
Rent is $650.00 per month; daycare is $140.00 per week for the baby alone and $130.00 for my older children.
Utilities, if I’m lucky, will bottom out at $200.00 per month.
This would not include any extras like cable, phone etc.
Remember the maximum of $500.00 for child support which will be paid because I work?
I have to provide for these kids by myself and not to mention it would be garnished from my wages.
Wages that are considered to be approx $2200.00 per month, when this is no where near what I am bringing home.
My bring home is approx $1400.00 per month.
The amounts that are taken from check are taxes, and medical (which I am required to pay for the children).
How is this fair?
What is it that you are forcing me to do but leave my job, live on the streets, and then the state would take the children from me because I am homeless…
Isn’t it the state’s callous decisions that forced me into this situation?
My simple request would be that the fathers of these children be made to pay for half of everything.
This is only for the basics and not extravagance.
I mean half of daycare, half of medical, half of “THEIR” food expenses and not mine.
Why am I required to pay more “JUST” because I graduated from high school and wanted more for my kids by securing a good job?
Why can they not be made to do the same thing?
Why is it because I need help, just a small amount, do I not get it because I make too much money?
Again, an amount based on a figure that is approx $800.00 less than what I make.
If I had that money why would I be asking for help?
I am appealing the order at this time.
I am going to file a motion to try to recover some of the child support in the amount of $5700.00 that was owed and never paid.
I have a pending order for support to be established for my oldest children’s dad along with another also pending order to have support established for my youngest son’s father.
I am trying to play by all the rules of the state and am being punished for it.
I report my income, tell them what I have, and am blunt and honest with what I need but playing by the rules only gets your wages garnished, your kids taken, and your job lost.
What am I supposed to do?
Lie?
This isn’t an option for me as I am trying to set an example for my children and live a life based on moral values.
I truly believe that there is someone, something higher that I need to answer to.
When that day comes, I want to be able to say that I just needed a little help.
I did all I was supposed to.
I followed the rules and look what happened.
I understand that my good fortune may not be here but Ill be able to sleep at night knowing that I am not lying, not misleading, that I can take care of my kids by working, or that I will do my best to try…
Even if that means I sleep on the streets.
I will sleep well because I did the right thing.
I’m not sure I can say the same others….
I want to mention that some of the amounts are not exact, but they are also not a far off from the exact amounts that are in litigation.
As far as my plan for the future…
I am or have secured an apartment to move into in June.
The three kids will come with me.
My intention is to file an amendment for full custody of two of my oldest children.
My daughter was only granted her request to stay with her dad because she was supposedly doing well in school but on three to four different occasions she has been suspended and has had spiraling grades.
My oldest son was only a temporary situation for school and I verbalized this in my order.
He has verbally expressed that he wants to live with his mother.
Ultimately, I want to have all five kids back with me where they belong.
Their fathers should have equal rights and visitation but should also be required to assist by pulling their equal share of weight in the children’s lives.
I will continue to place court orders and pray for all this to become a reality…
| 26 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
