I think Bill hit the nail square on the head: The system is broken. Of course, I'm beginning to wonder why I am surprised by that fact, this is the government we're talking about. The article that I read the other day explained how some parents are slapped with unreasonable child support expectations, others are so far in debt they can't handle all of the payments. Apparently the other side of that is where they continue to pull child support payments from the other parent when they should not.

There's a website out there that will link you to the "Most Wanted" deadbeat dads for each state. Funny how Colorado doesn't have such a list; putting something like that out there for the world to see would tarnish the clean-wholesome conservative façade we tend to paint over reality. If we pretend it's not happening, it's not really happening, right? Yeah - I tried that one, "This is not happening, this is not happening..." The hole in my lip and the bruises covering my body afterword proved different. So what do we do with such a broken system? It has not seen any changes since 1997. Maybe back then, these kinds of efforts actually worked. I work on a system that was created back in the early 90's, I'm sure it worked back then, but it's an eyesore now. We're upgrading - when will our government do the same?

Yes - I know, there are many problems in America right now. I own an '87 Volvo that only gets AM radio so all I listen to is talk radio. During my 2 hour daily drive, I get that America has many problems right now, but I'm blogging about what's hitting home because... well... because it's my blog. What happened to the days when men had principles and didn't have to be forced to be responsible for their children? That's the number one comment I get from men when they hear about my circumstances - it doesn't matter what went down between mom & dad - you don't leave the child hanging. That type of thinking has become that of a dying breed. Many men (not all) don't feel they are required to fulfill their responsibilities to their children. This lack of male guidance is forcing mothers to bring up children singlehandedly. We don't have all of the answers. We make mistakes. We get worn down. And when gas and food prices soar... we end up living in the back of an '87 Volvo. I'm tired.

Here's the latest from my Child Support Enforcement case worker... the woman who has evidentially decided I am the enemy. If anyone knows Colorado Law, I could sure use some help. By the by... I checked the white pages - he's listed there. I explained to her that it took quite a bit for me to "verify his whereabouts" and I was surprised that the CSE had never thought of using a phone book to locate people.

Ms. Gieger,

I discussed your request for statutes regarding confidentiality laws with my supervisor and, unfortunately, we are unable to provide you with the statutes as that would constitute legal advice and we are not allowed to provide legal advice. We are unable to release any information regarding tax refunds as this information is protected by the IRS and if you have any questions regarding their confidentiality laws, you would need to contact the IRS directly. All enforcement remedies are automated and it is not something over which a case worker would have any control. Driver's license suspensions, recreational license suspensions, credit reporting, bank liens, and tax intercepts are initiated by our system once each individual case meets a certain criteria. We are still trying to verify Mr. [deadbeat dad] whereabouts. I have your case on my list of contempt's to be filed but we cannot proceed with contempt unless we have verified locate information on Mr. [deadbeat dad].

And of course - here is an emailto [Deadbeat dad]'s attorney after they requested that I send all correspondence regarding my daughters name change to them. It amazes me; he cries to the court that he can't get a job because I refused to drop the charges of domestic violence and child abuse against him (I know... I'm such a bad person) making it impossible for him to get a job (did I mention we're talking about a man with a Master's degree form CU in Environmental Admin??). He can't pay his child support, but he certainly has enough money to have his attorney at his beck and call at the drop of a hat. I'm not sure... I might be pushing it a little here. What do you think?

[Paralegal],

I was directed byJudge Russell to inform Mr.[Deadbeat dad] of any major changes in our daughters life through direct email to him. So no- I'm afraid that I must decline your request to send the information to you directly as that would fall outside of the scope of Judge Russell's direct orders.

I will, however, turn this correspondence over to my Child Support Enforcement case worker as proof that Mr. [Deadbeat dad] still has Mr. [Attorney] on retainer, is still paying for your services and therefore has no reason why he can not afford to pay the over $18,000 that he's behind by the end of this month. When I called last year, I believe I was quoted that Mr.[slimeball... err... attorney] charges $300 hourly, $150 for the services of his paralegal; is that still the going rate for your services?

Further, since he has obviously contacted your office recently, I wonder if you would be so kind as to provide us with a current address. The court ordered Mr.[Deadbeat dad] to provide us with such, but the CSE has tried to contact Mr.[Deadbeat dad] and unfortunately he has chosen to evade them. Will he be retaining Mr.[attorney] regarding his contempt charges as well?

Good day -

Kerry Rae Gieger