A Child's Right

MI: 2013-2014 Equal Parenting Bill HB 4120

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2013-HB-4120

Bill to require the family court to award equally shared physical custody unless there is clear and convincing evidence of unfitness, in-ability or unwillingness to equally parent. Contact the politicians and get them to work on this now.

Sponsor http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=042 State Rep Rogers

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=097 State Rep Johnson

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=080 State Rep Genetski

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=047 State Rep Denby

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=106 State Rep Pettalia

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=105 State Rep MacMaster

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=101 State Rep Franz

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=058 State Rep Kurtz

http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=033 State Rep Goike

Michigan Equally Shared Parenting Bill HB 4778 Action:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%283prvktaxfxrrtrnv2yyc55et%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2011-HB-4778

Those of you who live in Michigan please go to this bill and then contact each one of the sponsors of this bill. If you know someone in Michigan please ask them to contact these sponsors. Let the sponsors know that we appreciate their support but now is the time to get movement on the bill. The sponsors need to present the bill via a legislative forum in the House and or the Senate Office Buildings. Also they need to pressure their Judiciary Committee colleagues to have a hearing or move the legislation to another committee or to the floor for a vote.

DADS AND MOMS PAC ANNOUNCES FAMILY PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES FOR 2011

For Release:     Contact:
March 14, 2011    DADS and Moms PAC
    248-467-1204

DADS AND MOMS PAC
ANNOUNCES FAMILY PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES FOR 2011

Advocating for family preservation, shared parenting, child support reform and other key family issues during the current legislative session       
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI – Dads and Moms PAC, a responsible family and fatherhood education and advocacy organization, today released their legislative agenda for 2011.  The organization consulted with US and Michigan Legislators, US Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Judges and Lawyers, Family Service Counselors, Heritage Foundation, National Center for Fathering, MOMS of Michigan, Children Need Both Parents, Fathers a Childs Rights, Fathers For Equal Rights, Family Rights Coalition, American Coalition of Fathers and Children, and the Children’s Rights Council in preparing the public policy agenda.  The proposed agenda will save the state a billion dollars in expenses each year.
Dads and Moms PAC announced the focus of their public policy agenda with the follows issues: 
•    Sharing Parenting
•    Parenting Time Guidelines
•    Paternity
•    Parenting Plans
•    Family Education Program
•    Child Support
“We will continue to work this year on progressive legislation and reforms that will help families to stay together and provide the best interest of children with the best opportunities available,” said James Semerad, Washington DC Representative of Dads of Michigan PAC.  For more information or interviews, please call 248-467-1204
####
Dads and Moms PAC is a responsible family preservation education and advocacy organization dedicated to keeping both biological parents actively engaged in the lives of their children despite divorce and custody, in most instances.  We believe men and women should be viewed equally under the law and our credo is: "fathers are responsible parents too…because the best parent is both parents."

DADS and MOMS PAC eNewsletter!

DADS and MOMS PAC eNewsletter!

A shared parenting initiative

May 2010

Email:  [email protected]                web:    http://www.dadsmomspac.org/index.html

Bill research and legislative contacts:  http://www.dadsmomspac.org/pacnews.html

Dads and Moms PAC,
 
It has been a year of change and we are sure you want to see more.  Dads and Moms PAC (also Dads of Michigan PAC) has a new web site and is growing stronger every day.   We are in the midst of collecting signatures for the ballot initiative and gathering candidate recommendations for the November election from you.  Please use the candidate questionnaire and ballot initiative to get the issue of Shared Parenting and equal protection on the legislative agenda.  Parents deserve equal protection under the law.

We are also actively invigorating and recruiting new Dads and Moms PAC Delegates in every County in Michigan.  We also encourage you to become a Precinct Delegate.

What we have learned is that law is not the only solution.  The laws are on the books for equal protection, but there are some fundamental changes to law that must occur.  How the States interpret the law, Policy – the local procedures, is also what must change.  Your local officials are interpreting the law and in effect legislating law through local procedures.   You must get involved in selecting candidates that will not only change the law, but change policy.

A candidate list will be publish this year.  Please keep us posted and submit your candidate recommendations to [email protected]   Our list will be announced in July.

There are several groups working the issues at the DC level; ACFC, CRC, Men’s Health Network, Parental Rights.Org, and several think tanks link the Eagle Forum and the Heritage Foundation, to name but a few.

The DC Rally will be a great event this year and you will want to experience the excitement of DC and the festival.

 

4th Annual FAMILY PRESERVATION FESTIVAL

 

JULY 23 - 25, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC

UPPER SENATE PARK
200 New Jersey Ave NW Washington, DC 20001
(North Side Of The Capitol Building)

 

 

FAMILY PRESERVATION FESTIVAL 2010 IS DESTINED TO BE THE LARGEST GATHERING EVER OF FATHERS, MOTHERS, GRANDPARENTS AND OUR CHILDREN ALL OF WHICH WILL BE CAMPAIGNING FOR EQUAL PARENTING RIGHTS, FAMILY COURT REFORM, CPS REFORM, STOP PARENTAL ALIENATION AND MORE. 

http://familypreservationfestival2010.yolasite.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Family-Preservation-Festival/247442833020?ref=mf

 

Thursday, July 22, 2010 

Talk to your State Representatives!

Go to the following link, find out who your representatives are and start contacting them now!   Be in D.C. on Thursday to let them know that we need change!

http://www.congress.org/

 

KEY MICHIGAN LEGISLATION

 

·         HB 5114  is a “shared parenting” bill;  http://www.dadsmomspac.org/shared_parenting.html which will amend current law so that a written custody agreement by both parents will be presumed to be in everyone’s best interests.  It is the successor of HB 4564.   In cases where parents cannot write a custody agreement, the court will establish one, based on the presumption of the right of both parents to joint physical and legal custody of minor children.  This presumption may be rebutted if there is clear and convincing evidence that one parent is “unfit, unwilling or unable” to handle their parental responsibilities. Passage of HB 5114 will make the presumption of shared custody the rule rather than the exception in

Michigan

, allowing both parents to retain physical custody of their children for “alternating and substantially equal” periods of time.  We are currently working with key stakeholder groups and legislative leaders to garner additional support for this bill.  

 

Support the following candidates for the 2010 November election

 

Current sponsors include:  Brian Calley, Kevin Green, Jeoff Hansen, David Agema, Tom McMillin, Tom Pearce, Ken Kurtz, Rick Jones, Marty Knollenberg, Robert Dean, Mike Huckleberry, Richard LaBlanc, Ken Horn, Bill Rogers

The following is a list of representatives serving on the House Judiciary Committee.  This is a key committee that will likely determine the fate of this proposal.

Reps. Meadows (C), Lipton (Maj. VC), Lisa Brown, Constan, Corriveau, Coulouris, Kandrevas, Bettie Cook Scott, Warren, Schuitmaker (Min. VC), Amash, Haveman, Rick Jones, Kowall, Rocca

 

Ballot Initiative    http://www.dadsmomspac.org/pac-news.html

Dads and Moms PAC is supporting the state wide effort for a ballot initiative for Shared Parenting in 2010. Although this is a big task, the use of electronic and social networks provide options that were not available in 2004, the last year this was attempted. We also hope that this will generate a lot of discussion about the benefits of parent involvement in their children’s lives despite divorce and custody. Download the ballot and instructions and start helping today. Email [email protected] to get involved.

Follow these links …

Ballot Initiative Instructions  (link)

2010 Child Parent Relationship Protection Initiative  (link)

Please sign up for the cause at Facebook:   http://apps.facebook.com/causes/causes/449336/about?cause_id=449336

Shared Parenting Ballot Initiative - also found at A Childs Right
To access the ballot initiative from the organization A Childs Right, click here.

http://achildsright.typepad.com/achildsright/2010/02/the-michigan-2010-childparent-relationship-protection-bill-.html

Also, sign the ACFC Shared Parenting Petition

  http://www.acfc.org/site/PageServer#SP_Petition

 

CONTACT THE MEDIA

Just like the advice above, it is better to write or call individual editors and reporters.  Tell them what is on your mind.  Suggest story ideas to them.   Tell them how family law is destroying your life, or the lives of you family.   They are always looking for a fresh take on an issue.  Give it to them! Follow the procedures listed in the notes for contacting elected officials above.

http://www.dadsmomspac.org/contact_directories.html#media

Dads and Moms PAC Action: Many of you cannot commit the time to be in Lansing or DC for legislative sessions. With many of the pending bills reaching a critical stage, your small monthly contribution or one time contribution is greatly appreciated.  We can process these via credit card each month via the Paypall account at http://www.dadsmomspac.org.  Please contact us to make your pledge.

" …because the best parent is both parents”

 

Michigan Parental Rights Resolution HCR 45 Action

Dear Friend of Parental Rights in Michigan,

Through your phone calls and the diligent efforts of our allies at
Citizens Alliance for Life and Liberty (CALL), a resolution calling
for the Parental Rights Amendment has made significant progress in the
Michigan legislature. Currently, the resolution - HCR 45  - has 60
cosponsors in the 110-member House, a clear majority.

However, HCR 45, championed by Rep. Dave Agema, must pass the House
Judiciary Committee to reach the floor for a vote, and that committee
is headed by Rep. Mark Meadows. As the chairman, Rep. Meadows has the
authority to decide whether the resolution will receive a hearing, and
whether or not it will be put to a committee vote.

We believe HCR 45 will pass if we can get it to a vote, so we need
your help to pursuade Rep. Meadows to give it that chance.

Next Thurs., April 29, at 11:30 Director Steven Dennison of CALL has a
30-minute appointment with Rep. Meadows to discuss this issue. April
29 is also Rep. Meadows' birthday.

Here, then, is what we need you to do:

Send a card as soon as possible wishing the Representative a happy
birthday;
Include in it a cordial request that he grant HCR 45 a vote in the
Judiciary Committee
Forward this email to as many friends and family members in Michigan
as you can and ask them to join you.
Please send your cards to:

The Honorable Representative Mark S. Meadows
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514.

Rep. Meadows may not be your local representative, but he represents
all of Michigan as the chair of the Judiciary Committee, especially in
deciding on matters like HCR 45. Your efforts are invaluable in
helping Michigan to pass this resolution in support of parental rights.

Sincerely,

Jason Heki
Regional Coordinator

Michigan Child Support System Needs Investigation

http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=4442

Much of Michigan Child Support Debt is not for Child Support but a State Surcharge

December 11th, 2009 by Robert Franklin, Esq.
According to this article, a good (albeit unstated) portion of Michigan's child support
arrearages aren't child support arrearages at all, but interest due on
unpaid amounts (Detroit News, 12/7/09). In 1996, the Michigan
legislature passed a law requiring non-custodial parents to pay
interest on any arrearages in child support. It set the rate at 8%
which was to be compounded, presumably yearly. I don't know where they
came up with that figure, but it's significantly more than, for example
the return on highly-rated municipal bonds, U.S. Treasury bonds, etc.
And the fact that they allowed the amounts to be compounded added
insult to injury.

My comments:
-------

Thank you for bringing the issues in Michigan to light.

A few more points:

* For children or custodial parents on welfare, "child support " that
"goes to the child" actually goes to the state to repay those
expenses. If it's set too high the child is harmed because the
non-custodial parent can't help with the child's real day to day
expenses.

* There is substantial evidence of ongoing and systemic fraud in calculating child support in Michigan.

* There is evidence of systemic application of illegal automatic income
imputation, a known violation of Michigan law under Michigan supreme
court rulings for 10 years.

* There is evidence that child custody determinations are racist. Only
3/5ths as many African-American fathers get recommendations for sole or
joint custody, as compared to White Non-Hispanic fathers, based on
county to county data. Racial data is not available, and would likely
be substantially worse.

* There is evidence that courts are altering recordings and manipulating official records in violation of federal laws.

* The 2008 MCSFM (Michigan Child Support Formula Manual) was changed to
make parenting time offsets insignificant. A parent who directly cares
for a child 79 overnights + 26 weekdays only gets 2% of the family
income available under state law for that child for his/her support
efforts.

* There is evidence that courts are knowingly violating and evading federal laws on garnishment limits.

* FOC form 10a makes child support fraud easy, and there is evidence
that it's used in a coercive manner to force parents to give up various
rights (e.g. the ability to object ot move away decisions, later
modification of child support, etc).

* Google "Carol Rhodes Friend of the Court Video" and watch it. She worked there and saw it all.

* All of this is documented at scribd dot com slash DougDante.

 

But no Republican or Democrat politician is really willing to fundamentally change the way child support is calculated or enforced because they don’t want to look like they are soft on all those dead beat dads out there.

Heck they figure that you cheatin’ abusive dads out there deserve to have to pay bloated support orders after all if you’d just been a good husband or boyfriend she would have never kicked you to the curb or it is your own damn fault ‘cause you left her for some other chick. Finally these statist politicians either think that it is a man’s responsibility to care for his ex and their children or that women are the superior gender and deserve to be supported at what the state determines is best. Think about it, doesn’t most republocrats believe that it is “fair” to have a graduated income tax and property tax?

 

Darrick Scott-Farnsworth

Executive Director www.AChildsRight.net www.daddyblogger.com 

Cell 269 209-7144 or Nextel DC ID 130*112*19287

True Conservative: Pro-Life, Liberty and Property

 

MICHIGAN PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP PROTECTION BALLOT INITIATIVE

Are you going to be able to help gather ballot signatures this year for the Michigan Child-Parent Relationship Protection Citizen Initiated Ballot Proposal? It reflects the wording of this sessions House Bill

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2009-HB-5114 check this Facebook group Michigan Equal Parenting Ballot Initiative Group for the actual ballot to download and print out. HERE IS THE ACTUAL BALLOT LINK Could you please pass on the request for recruits and post this action on your personal and organization's blog? Have you joined your county NCP group in Yahoo Groups http://groups.yahoo.com/? We are using this format for the name of the groups: NCP-MI-(county name)@yahoogroups.com to organize this action and am looking for leaders, are you one?

Please respond if you:

1. Believe that we should put together a ballot proposal signature drive in
Michigan or your state to change the state family law to protect the
parent-child relationship in the case of divorce or separation?

2. If so, are you willing to help by recruiting others to gather signatures?

3. Are you willing to gather signatures?

4. Are you willing to contribute funds towards the cost of this effort?

5. What state and county are you willing to be active in?

Ballot will be similar to this bill: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2009-HB-5114

Darrick Scott-Farnsworth

Executive Director www.AChildsRight.net www.daddyblogger.com 

Cell 269 209-7144 or Nextel DC ID 130*112*19287

True Conservative: Pro-Life, Liberty and Property

RADAR ALERT: "First they ignore you, ..."

RADAR ALERT:

"First they ignore you, ..."

Two weeks ago, Slate.com's short-lived
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote1sym> 1 publication
"Double X" published an article by Kathryn Joyce entitled "'Men's Rights'
Groups Have Become Frighteningly Effective."
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote2sym> 2

This was not Slate.com's finest hour. One thing this article could never be
accused of is objective reporting.

On Nov. 5th, the very same day the Double X article appeared, Salon.com's
Broadsheet published an article by Judy Berman entitled "'Men's rights'
groups go mainstream"
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote3sym> 3 that adds no
new information, and simply seems to be an effort to repeat the Double X
article to Salon's readers.

Since the Double X article appeared there have been several analyses of its
flaws, the most recent being Cathy Young's article in Forbes: "Feminism
should be about equality-for males too"
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote4sym> 4 which says:

"More than a quarter-century ago, British feminist philosopher Janet
Radcliffe Richards wrote, 'No feminist whose concern for women stems from a
concern for justice in general can ever legitimately allow her only interest
to be the advantage of women.' Joyce's article is a stark example of
feminism as exclusive concern with women and their perceived advantage,
rather than justice or truth."

In "Journalistic Misrepresentation at Slate's New Woman-Oriented Publication
'Double X'" <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote5sym> 5,
RADAR's Mark Rosenthal explained how the article had misrepresented his
comments and also took issue with the article's characterization of Murray
Straus as someone "who has written extensively on female violence," saying:

"The characterization of Straus as someone who has written extensively on
female violence is like characterizing Susan B. Anthony as someone who wrote
extensively on temperance - true but misleading because of what it leaves
out. Straus has devoted his professional career to the study of all forms of
family violence - parent-to-child, child-to-parent, sibling-to-sibling, as
well as partner violence in all its configurations - male-to-female,
female-to-male, and mutual. He has never focused exclusively on female
violence."

And in a series of articles beginning with "Slate.com & Salon.com Criticize
the Fatherhood Movement (Part I)"
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote6sym> 6, Glenn Sacks
critiques the quality of the reporting, saying:

"The articles discuss various aspects and actors in the [men's and fathers]
movement, and also quote and misquote me. ... I specifically, repeatedly,
and emphatically told Joyce that any linkage between the men's & fathers'
movements' grievances and Sodini is not my view, but I guess she was
determined to jam it in there anyway."

Mahatma Gandhi is reputed to have said: "First they ignore you, then they
ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." The joint Slate/Salon
attack pieces are a good indication that we're well past stage 1.
Congratulation to all RADAR supporters and allies for getting us this far.
Let's keep it up!

_____

1 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote1anc> "Double X
closes up shop",
http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2009/11/16/double_x_folds/index.html

2 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote2anc> "'Men's
Rights' Groups Have Become Frighteningly Effective.", Slate.com,
http://www.doublex.com/section/news-politics/mens-rights-groups-have-become-
frighteningly-effective

3 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote3anc> 'Men's
rights' groups go mainstream, Salon.com,
http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/feature/2009/11/05/mens_rights/index.ht
ml

4 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote4anc> "Feminism
should be about equality-for males too",
http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/19/mens-rights-feminism-equality-violence-opin
ions-contributors-cathy-young.html

5 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote5anc> "Journalistic
Misrepresentation at Slate's New Woman-Oriented Publication 'Double X'",
http://www.breakingthescience.org/DoubleXMisrepresentation.php

6 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote6anc> "Slate.com &
Salon.com Criticize the Fatherhood Movement (Part I)",
http://glennsacks.com/blog//?p=4359 <http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=4359>

_____

Date of RADAR Release: November 23, 2009

R.A.D.A.R. - Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting - is a
non-profit, non-partisan organization of men and women working to improve
the effectiveness of our nation's approach to solving domestic violence.
http://www.mediaradar.org

Equal Parental Rights on AC

Associated Content Equal Parental Rights Feed

The Annual Midwest Fathers Conference

DADS and MOMS of Michigan  in Cooperation With Partnership for Dads 
  The Annual Midwest  Fathers Conference 

http://www.partnershipfordads.org/services.html

The only event of its kind in the Midwest, this all-day event features
prominent Keynote Speakers, dozens of workshops,and panel
discussions, all on topics of special interest to fathers. Over one
thousand men have attended the Conference since 2000. Keynote
Speakers have included James Levine of The Fatherhood Project in
New York City, Dr. Kyle Pruett of the Yale University School of
Medicine, Paul W. Smith of WJR NewsRadio in Detroit, and Devin
Scillian of WDIV-TV Channel 4.

The Ninth Annual Midwest Fathers Conference will be held on
Saturday, January 24, 2009 at North Farmington High School in
Farmington Hills, Michigan.

DADS Merchandise
http://www.dadsofmichigan.org/merchandise.html

Consider ordering some DADS merchandise for your favorite DAD this holiday season. Soon we will be adding MOMS merchandise. Sorry Moms, Stepparents and Grandparents, you are as important.