Public Disclosure Would Help CASA Programs

CASA...Court Appointed Special Advocate...they are to represent the interest's of the child in dependency cases.

Yes, CASA programs across the country would be better if they were subject to open government standards. They are not. So, they are part of the problem.

I will update this entry very soon. But, in brief, there was a Sunshine (open government) Committee meeting today and my proposal to open up the program to public scrutinty was again discussed (for well over an hour). The testimony was dramatic on both sides. This was recorded on TVW and should be available for all of you to see.

Thank you to all of those who participated! You were brave. You were willing to expose emotions, family privacy, financial challenges, etc., in an effort to change what one man called..."a protected empire." I am so proud of citizens who decide to stand up and fight the wrongs in government.

Interesting: Milt Doummit, member of Attorney General Rob McKenna's kitchen cabinet, was at the meeting. He was there the full time. He heard it all. I approached him afterward and personally asked for the AG's help in opening up this system for the benefit of our citizens. Let's see.

It Isn't Just Health Care That Sends Obama's Ratings Crashing

Kick Honduras and tick off Latin voters

U. S. Voters of Hispanic dissent are watching Obama's full diplomatic assault on the poor Central American country of Honduras. Hondurans first believed the U.S. would praise them for the constitutional removal of President Mel Zalaya. They had no idea that the U.S. would do everything in its power except military intervention to turn Honduras into a satellite of Castro and Chavez. (The U.S. doesn't need to activate its military. Chavez just pours money into Honduras and buys dissent as we stand by and watch!)

President Obama...You have touched off a new reason to "hate America." You are encouraging the loss of freedom in Honduras. Don't think Hispanic Americans are not watching. You can cancel visas, refuse to recognize diplomats, yank needed humanitarian aide, allow Chavez to pay rioters, etc. But, with the Internet it is not hidden. Your poll numbers suffer from your assault on freedom in Latin America.

Ousted Marxist Zalaya to Speak At George Washington University, Sept. 2nd

While the U.S. government has yanked the visas of constitutionally elected members of the Honduran Congress, they allow only Zalaya to come to the U. S. to speak to our students. This reminds me of Mumia Abu-Jamal's speech at Evergreen college in Olympia. The left rules American campuses.

And, in closing, a projection from the press:

Obama's Honduras Problem
By Michael Shifter
Foreign Affairs August 24, 2009

(After a long article this is the conclusion.)
It is still conceivable that Zelaya could return to power under a heavily conditioned agreement and with perhaps impossibly exquisite orchestration. But it seems likely that Honduras will proceed with elections in November and look ahead to the next government that will take over in January 2010. Washington would then confront the dilemma of whether to support an election process overseen by a government it deems illegitimate. Refusing to do so could prolong the crisis and would inflict greater pain in the form of diplomatic isolation and reduced aid flows. In the end, policies based on realism are likely to prevail, and the United States will recognize the new government, provided the elections are credible. Whatever happens in Honduras , the costs of the ongoing crisis to the Obama administration could turn out to be far from negligible.

Sunday Reading: The Money Behind State Adoptions

POLITICS

Adoption Bonuses: The Money Behind the Madness...DSS and affiliates rewarded for breaking up families

By Nev Moore
Massachusetts News
Child "protection" is one of the biggest businesses in the country. We spend $12 billion a year on it.
The money goes to tens of thousands of a) state employees, b) collateral professionals, such as lawyers, court personnel, court investigators, evaluators and guardians, judges, and c) DSS contracted vendors such as counselors, therapists, more "evaluators" , junk psychologists, residential facilities, foster parents, adoptive parents, MSPCC, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YMCA, etc. This newspaper is not big enough to list all of the people in this state who have a job, draw a paycheck, or make their profits off the kids in DSS custody.
In this article I explain the financial infrastructure that provides the motivation for DSS to take people’s children – and not give them back.
In 1974 Walter Mondale promoted the Child Abuse and Prevention Act which began feeding massive amounts of federal funding to states to set up programs to combat child abuse and neglect. From that came Child "Protective" Services, as we know it today. After the bill passed, Mondale himself expressed concerns that it could be misused. He worried that it could lead states to create a "business" in dealing with children.
Then in 1997 President Clinton passed the "Adoption and Safe Families Act." The public relations campaign promoted it as a way to help abused and neglected children who languished in foster care for years, often being shuffled among dozens of foster homes, never having a real home and family. In a press release from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dated November 24, 1999, it refers to "President Clinton’s initiative to double by 2002 the number of children in foster care who are adopted or otherwise permanently placed."
It all sounded so heartwarming. We, the American public, are so easily led. We love to buy stereotypes; we just eat them up, no questions asked. But, my mother, bless her heart, taught me from the time I was young to "consider the source." In the stereotype that we’ve been sold about kids in foster care, we picture a forlorn, hollow-eyed child, thin and pale, looking up at us beseechingly through a dirt streaked face. Unconsciously, we pull up old pictures from Life magazine of children in Appalachia in the 1930s. We think of orphans and children abandoned by parents who look like Manson family members. We play a nostalgic movie in our heads of the little fellow shyly walking across an emerald green, manicured lawn to meet Ward and June Cleaver, his new adoptive parents, who lead him into their lovely suburban home. We imagine the little tyke’s eyes growing as big as saucers as the Cleavers show him his very own room, full of toys and sports gear. And we just feel so gosh darn good about ourselves.
Now it’s time to wake up to the reality of the adoption business.
Very few children who are being used to supply the adoption market are hollow-eyed tykes from Appalachia. Very few are crack babies from the projects. [Oh… you thought those were the children they were saving? Think again]. When you are marketing a product you have to provide a desirable product that sells. In the adoption business that would be nice kids with reasonably good genetics who clean up good. An interesting point is that the Cape Cod & Islands office leads the state in terms of processing kids into the system and having them adopted out. More than the inner city areas, the projects, Mission Hill, Brockton, Lynn, etc. Interesting…
With the implementation of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, President Clinton tried to make himself look like a humanitarian who is responsible for saving the abused and neglected children. The drive of this initiative is to offer cash "bonuses" to states for every child they have adopted out of foster care, with the goal of doubling their adoptions by 2002, and sustaining that for each subsequent year. They actually call them "adoption incentive bonuses," to promote the adoption of children.

Where to Find the Children

A whole new industry was put into motion. A sweet marketing scheme that even Bill Gates could envy. Now, if you have a basket of apples, and people start giving you $100 per apple, what are you going to do? Make sure that you have an unlimited supply of apples, right?
The United States Department of Health & Human Services administers Child Protective Services. To accompany the ASF Act, the President requested, by executive memorandum, an initiative entitled Adoption 2002, to be implemented and managed by Health & Human Services. The initiative not only gives the cash adoption bonuses to the states, it also provides cash adoption subsidies to adoptive parents until the children turn eighteen.
Everybody makes money. If anyone really believes that these people are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, then I’ve got some bad news for you. The fact that this program is run by HHS, ordered from the very top, explains why the citizens who are victims of DSS get no response from their legislators. It explains why no one in the Administration cares about the abuse and fatalities of children in the "care" of DSS, and no one wants to hear about the broken arms, verbal abuse, or rapes. They are just business casualties. It explains why the legislators I’ve talked to for the past three years look at me with pity. Because I’m preaching to the already damned.
The legislators have forgotten who funds their paychecks and who they need to account to, as has the Governor. Because it isn’t the President. It’s us.

How DSS Is Helped

The way that the adoption bonuses work is that each state is given a baseline number of expected adoptions based on population.
For every child that DSS can get adopted, there is a bonus of $4,000 to $6,000.
But that is just the starting figure in a complex mathematical formula in which each bonus is multiplied by the percentage that the state has managed to exceed its baseline adoption number. The states must maintain this increase in each successive year. [Like compound interest.] The bill reads: "$4,000 to $6,000 will be multiplied by the amount (if any) by which the number of foster child adoptions in the State exceeds the base number of foster child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year." In the "technical assistance" section of the bill it states that, "the Secretary [of HHS] may, directly or through grants or contracts, provide technical assistance to assist states and local communities to reach their targets for increased numbers of adoptions for children in foster care." The technical assistance is to support "the goal of encouraging more adoptions out of the foster care system; the development of best practice guidelines for expediting the termination of parental rights; the development of special units and expertise in moving children toward adoption as a permanent goal; models to encourage the fast tracking of children who have not attained 1 year of age into pre-adoptive placements; and the development of programs that place children into pre-adoptive placements without waiting for termination of parental rights."
In the November press release from HHS it continues, " HHS awarded the first ever adoption bonuses to States for increases in the adoption of children from the public foster care system." Some of the other incentives offered are "innovative grants" to reduce barriers to adoption [i.e., parents], more State support for adoptive families, making adoption affordable for families by providing cash subsides and tax credits.
A report from a private think tank, the National Center for Policy Analysis, reads: "The way the federal government reimburses States rewards a growth in the size of the program instead of the effective care of children." Another incentive being promoted is the use of the Internet to make adoption easier. Clinton directed HHS to develop an Internet site to "link children in foster care with adoptive families." So we will be able to window shop for children on a government web site. If you don’t find anything you like there, you can surf on over to the "Adopt Shoppe."
If you prefer to actually be able to kick tires instead of just looking at pictures you could attend one of DSS’s quaint "Adoption Fairs," where live children are put on display and you can walk around and browse. Like a flea market to sell kids. If one of them begs you to take him home you can always say, "Sorry. Just looking." The incentives for government child snatching are so good that I’m surprised we don’t have government agents breaking down people’s doors and just shooting the parents in the heads and grabbing the kids. But then, if you need more apples you don’t chop down your apple trees.

Benefits for Foster Parents

That covers the goodies the State gets. Now let’s have a look at how the Cleavers make out financially after the adoption is finalized.
After the adoption is finalized, the State and federal subsidies continue. The adoptive parents may collect cash subsidies until the child is 18. If the child stays in school, subsidies continue to the age of 22. There are State funded subsidies as well as federal funds through the Title IV-E section of the Social Security Act. The daily rate for State funds is the same as the foster care payments, which range from $410-$486 per month per child. Unless the child can be designated "special needs," which of course, they all can.
According to the NAATRIN State Subsidy profile from DSS, "special needs" may be defined as: "Physical disability, mental disability, emotional disturbance; a significant emotional tie with the foster parents where the child has resided with the foster parents for one or more years and separation would adversely affect the child’s development if not adopted by them." [But their significant emotional ties with their parents, since birth, never enter the equation.]
Additional "special needs" designations are: a child twelve years of age or older; racial or ethnic factors; child having siblings or half-siblings. In their report on the State of the Children, Boston’s Institute for Children says: "In part because the States can garner extra federal funds for special needs children the designation has been broadened so far as to become meaningless. " "Special needs" children may also get an additional Social Security check.
The adoptive parents also receive Medicaid for the child, a clothing allowance and reimbursement for adoption costs such as adoption fees, court and attorney fees, cost of adoption home study, and "reasonable costs of food and lodging for the child and adoptive parents when necessary to complete the adoption process." Under Title XX of the Social Security Act adoptive parents are also entitled to post adoption services "that may be helpful in keeping the family intact," including "daycare, specialized daycare, respite care, in-house support services such as housekeeping, and personal care, counseling, and other child welfare services". [Wow! Everything short of being knighted by the Queen!]
The subsidy profile actually states that it does not include money to remodel the home to accommodate the child. But, as subsidies can be negotiated, remodeling could possibly be accomplished under the "innovative incentives to remove barriers to adoption" section. The subsidy regulations read that "adoption assistance is based solely on the needs of the child without regard to the income of the family." What an interesting government policy when compared to the welfare program that the same child’s mother may have been on before losing her children, and in which she may not own anything, must prove that she has no money in the bank; no boats, real estate, stocks or bonds; and cannot even own a car that is safe to drive worth over $1000. This is all so she can collect $539 per month for herself and two children. The foster parent who gets her children gets $820 plus. We spit on the mother on welfare as a parasite who is bleeding the taxpayers, yet we hold the foster and adoptive parents [who are bleeding ten times as much from the taxpayers] up as saints. The adoptive and foster parents aren’t subjected to psychological evaluations, ink blot tests, MMPI’s, drug & alcohol evaluations, or urine screens as the parents are.
Adoption subsidies may be negotiated on a case by case basis. [Anyone ever tried to "negotiate" with the Welfare Department?] There are many e-mail lists and books published to teach adoptive parents how to negotiate to maximize their subsidies. As one pro writes on an e-mail list: "We receive a subsidy for our kids of $1,900 per month plus another $500 from the State of Florida. We are trying to adopt three more teens and we will get subsidies for them, too. It sure helps out with the bills."
I can’t help but wonder why we don’t give this same level of support to the children’s parents in the first place? According to Cornell University, about 68% of all child protective cases "do not involve child maltreatment. " The largest percentage of CPS/DSS cases are for "deprivation of necessities" due to poverty. So, if the natural parents were given the incredible incentives and services listed above that are provided to the adoptive parents, wouldn’t it stand to reason that the causes for removing children in the first place would be eliminated? How many less children would enter foster care in the first place? The child protective budget would be reduced from $12 billion to around $4 billion. Granted, tens of thousands of social workers, administrators, lawyers, juvenile court personnel, therapists, and foster parents would be out of business, but we would have safe, healthy, intact families, which are the foundation of any society.
That’s just a fantasy, of course. The reality is that maybe we will see Kathleen Crowley’s children on the government home-shopping- for-children web site and some one out there can buy them.

Socialist Reader Too Gutless To Post A Name

On this we do agree...don't muck around with the Honduran government. If this reader really felt that way he/she would tell the U.S. to get out and let Honduras work this. The U.S. is currently working to change Honduran government from good to bad.

Reader states:
"As long as the Hondurans arnt being ruthlessly slaughtered..why do we care ??? Let other people run their own part of the world and lets focus on ours..I cant think of a single possible example of where another nation, particularly these banana republic nations actually benefited from our mucking around with their government.

oh no - those people over their have a different form of government than we do! Be afraid! RAWR"

This reader is one of those people who monitors this blog to, at some point, use whatever I might say against me. They come from the right and the left. This one is really an idiot. Honduras is a constitutional democracy. The U. S. actions (inactions and positions just recently taken) are aimed at changing their form of government. This is not a matter of the U.S. going to Vietnam, Iraq, etc. It is a matter of the U.S., under Obama, of supporting a change from a democratic republic to a socialistic state. Go check out Venezuela you dope! Is that what you want? For you the answer is "yes." Why don't you man/woman-up and sign your name?

Obama and International Cabal Go After Honduran Democracy

Obama is helping to move all Central America to Marxist-Socialism. While the national health care debate and deaths of Jackson and Kennedy take up the news...Freedom loving Hondurans are caught up in an international cabal to enslave their country.

President Barack Obama's Sec. of State Hillary Clinton is urging that humanitarian funding to Honduras cease and that the United States formally recognize the constitutional removal of Manual Zalaya as a military coup.

In the meantime, Hugo Chavez is funding poor Hondurans with $50 USD a day to foment unrest. Fifty dollars a day is what a poor Honduran earns in a month. Chavez, with knowing U.S. heads turned, is buying an insurgency. The U.S. is allowing this to happen and abetting this activity.

On this course the end result will be to allow the implementation of a Marxist government in Honduras. This is unconscionable. In allowing, even encouraging the wolves to enter Honduras, it also is bad for the United States.

From Bob in Tegucigalpa:

"Wednesday night, Oscar Arias of Costa Rica made clear that he wanted to change Costa Rica's Constitution, to give the President more power, and to permit his succession in Office.

This is what Former Honduran President Mel Zelaya was trying to do, in clear violation of the Honduran Constitution.

This is the latest news article, in Spanish.

http://www.elheraldo.hn/Ediciones/2009/08/28/Noticias/Arias-se-suma-al-barco-de-Asamblea-Constituyente

It is clear that Arias had a conflict of interest when he developed the Arias plan for Honduran Reconciliation.

It seems to me that in view of the facts today that the Arias plan is certainly not to be considered unbiased."

Teaser # 2

I heard a little more about the movie today. In fact, next week I will view 45 minutes of it.

Ted Kennedy, Dead. Cross-over Kindnesses Alive

Ted Kennedy is synonymous with "liberal." He lived the label. And, apparently he was a decent guy to friends of varied stripes.

In 1992 I ran for US Congress. I lost in the primary to Jennifer Dunn. Dunn had four times as much money, campaigned five times longer than I had, and won by only one vote per precinct.

During that campaign I flew to Washington D.C. and met with Republican members to seek support. One office I visited was that of U. S. Senator Orrin Hatch.

At the time, Hatch was known as a conservative. As I entered to meet him, I couldn't help but notice the painting that was the focal point of the entry way. I can't remember the picture but I do remember that it was signed by Ted Kennedy! Kennedy had painted his friend a gift and memento of their friendship.

Gifts from across the isle come in different forms. One I received came in the form of an invitation. I was being politically attacked by my own Republican Majority leader, Senator Jim West. (This is the same guy that later became Mayor of Spokane and made national news for using a city computer to surf for boys, for giving jobs for sex, and other things.) West didn't like women a close associate of his later told me. So, he went after me in the press. It had been precipitated after I became aware of some questionable emails in Olympia. He jerked me around in the press for weeks. He had help doing this, of course. He wanted what he generated in the press to be used against me in a campaign. "He wants you out of office," said former Senator Kent Pullen. "Do you understand me? He wants you out of office!"

I lost 15lbs. in six weeks as he attacked me. West was eventually recalled from office. He died without family, discredited (even Jay Leno mocked him). Because of his credibility issues my opponent was unable to use what West had generated to use against me.

The days were dark. I couldn't eat. My own leader was attacking me. And, my good friend, mentor, and employer outside of the legislature passed away of cancer as all this was happening.

The invitation was from Senator Adam Klein. He could see what was happening to me. He watched as my leader attacked my integrity. West wanted to keep me busy thinking I was going to come forward with emails that were found.

Senator Klein asked me out to dinner and we ate and talked. Yes, he learned what was going on in our caucus. But, he took the time when I needed it. Adam is the most liberal member of the Senate. I am a conservative. On issues the lines are usually drawn. But, it doesn't mean we can't respect the person for their characteristics, including kindness and honesty.

Ted Kennedy...I didn't know you. But, I believe you were loyal to your beliefs and fought hard for your issues. In death, I will remember the good things you did while reconfirming my own beliefs. And, I will remember a nice thing a liberal did for me.

CPS For Years Has Made Work For Itself On One Hand And Not Done The Work On Another

The following is a Reader Comment just received. It was written as a comment to the preceding blog. Edited for the blog. PR

In reading this story I am horrified. And, I think about how DSHS FOUGHT tooth and nail for my niece and nephew who didn't need "protection".

My niece and nephew were taken directly out of a hospital room over twenty years ago; both born healthy. They were not born to drug addicts or alcoholics. How and why is that possible?

I had a large home at the time and definitely they would have been well cared for. (I lived out of state.) They would have had wonderful meals as I am also a good cook! They would have lived in a nice clean home!

Today, we are separated because of the involvement of strangers (foster care and foster/adopt). Could somebody please tell me how this could happen?

How does it happen that DSHS allows a child to starve, while destroying another biological family that didn't need their services?

The couple who gave birth may have needed a helping hand. However, grandparents and relatives could have assisted with that helping hand. So, while the state makes this child a millionaire and did nothing to protect this child, another biological family suffers the consequences. That is what I am reading into this story!

Thank you reader.

Another DSHS Horror Story

Published: Monday, August 24, 2009
Lynnwood, WA Herald Net
ABEGG CASE

Another DSHS horror story

The heartbreaking case of Shayne Abegg continues to reveal the worst in people, and the system.

Abegg, now 6, was starved by his father and girlfriend in 2007. He weighed 25 pounds — about half the weight of a healthy child his age. The father, Danny Abegg, and Marilea Mitchell were both sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison.

A civil suit filed on behalf of the Everett boy resulted in a settlement of $6 million, the largest amount the state Department of Social and Health Services ever agreed to pay for harm to a single child victim. A DSHS review of the case concluded that the state missed a pattern of abuse and neglect, didn’t follow policy to make sure the boy was safe and failed to hold his father, his girlfriend and the boy’s mother more accountable for Shayne’s well-being.

Now, as Herald writer Diana Hefley reported this month, that report has been heavily censored — in theory to protect Shayne’s privacy over medical issues, but in practice to also hide harsh criticisms of how the case was handled.

Some social workers involved in the case resigned, and a contract caseworker and his employer were responsible for $1 million of the settlement. Of course, as part of the deal, the state and contract worker did not admit wrongdoing.

The agency did make changes based on the findings, including taking steps to make sure more experienced supervisors oversee these types of cases and social workers get training to recognize the signs of malnutrition.

Social workers who can’t recognize a starving child?

Others noticed, and starting in 2003, social workers investigated at least a dozen complaints of abuse and neglect involving Shayne and his brother, including reports from outside the family that the boys appeared to be malnourished.

The state closed Shayne’s case file in February 2007. The boy was hospitalized a month later in critical condition.

Assistant Attorney General Pamela Anderson told Hefley that the report was redacted because of concerns the information could be used to stigmatize the boy in the future, Also gone, however, are parts that discuss how caseworkers failed to recognize clear signs of ongoing neglect.

Attorneys didn’t remove photos of Shayne from the report, which were taken by detectives to document the state of the boy’s health when he was found. That oversight doesn’t help the state’s argument that it was concerned only about the boy’s privacy, but Anderson told Hefley she would look into the matter.

Will Shayne Abegg’s horror story finally move us from merely acknowledging the deficiencies of our Department of Social and Health Services to actually changing it?

Ode to The CASA....

My former Republican Party District Chair was once a CASA. I didn't know that when she was in my home having arrived early for a meeting and Suzannah Frame was there with her camera guy. So, the chair watched the interview. After the media left she told me that she had been a CASA once. She was looking for a way to serve.

I don't know her educational background. But, I do know that she would have done a very good job. She was listed as a CASA for just over a year. (This is a King County CASA story.)

She was assigned her first case and after much work and worry...decided that the best option for the child was to be with her family. Hmmmm....what do you suppose happened next?

The big CASA people told her she had gotten it wrong! She was very intimidated by that because she had wanted to do a good job and here they were telling her that she had blown it!

There are over 600 CASAs in King County. Wouldn't you like to know which ones get called back to "serve" again? Well, you will never get to know that. They close the system up! The less the public knows the less they are accountable.

My district chair had one more case and they never called her again.

What do I think? I think they ask the ones they like to come back. I think CASAs should be assigned on a random or rotating basis. No way that happens!

And now...from a dear reader:

CASA is not to be trusted anymore than CPS. CASA/GALs are supposed to be court appointed attorneys yet here in this backwoods area and others all over the state of WA they are no more than puffed up mouthpieces for CPS. They are not accountable for their actions and they are making life changing statements to judges when they don't have anymore education or less than a bartender. How did CASA get so much power? Where are their background checks and where is their accountability? If they really care about kids and what happens to them why in the world are they so biased against families?

And, what a secret organization CASA is. It's like working with the gestapo. If I could make it over there for this meeting I would surely testify. But...I have spent every dime and emotional resource I have fighting CPS and CASA and being treated like a criminal when all I wanted is to see my grandchild. I say they (CASA) definitely need to be investigated and their doors open. What are they so afraid of? What do they have to hide?

Sunshine Committee Meeting..When and Where

Monday, August 31st., 9 AM to 1 PM in the John A. Cherburg Bldg., Conference Room A,B,C in Olympia.

The CASA issue is second on the agenda. Public testimony will be taken. And, given this is a lull time for TVW...maybe it will be broadcast. I am not advocating a large attendance. Time will be short and this is not the only issue on the agenda. But, if testimony is allowed it is good to have someone there. You can also submit written testimony.

The subject deals with opening up government. What are the affects of having a closed system? Etc.
Thanks,
Pam

WA State "Sunshine Committee" To Discuss CASA Program Openness 8/31/09

Washington State, by statue, has an open government committee. I am a member.

Our goal is to remove exemptions from public disclosure any category of information that should not be exempt. By vote, the committee has agreed to look into information that has been, by practice (not statute), withheld from the public in the area of Court Appointed Attorneys.

There will be a "Sunshine Committee" meeting, Monday, August 31st in Olympia, WA. CASA will be on the agenda.

State and King County CASA organizations, not surprisingly, testified against any effort to open up their information. I will keep you posted. It should be an interesting meeting and for those of you wishing to attend the meetings are open to the public and testimony is taken.

Best Story Of The Year...Alexis Stuth

On a Sunday, I thought you all might like the story of a miracle. PR

Granddaughters adoption completes long legal process
By BRENDA SEXTON
Enumclaw Courier Herald Reporter
Aug 18 2009

Alexis Stuth celebrated her birthday Saturday with the best present a child can get – a family.

Earlier in the week, the Enumclaw 4-year-old was adopted by her grandparents Doug and Anne Marie Stuth of Enumclaw.

“Every holiday is huge, every day is huge,” Anne Marie said.

It was a long, ugly battle through the state’s child welfare system for the Stuths.

Brought to the media forefront through a KING-TV investigative series and the work of Sen. Pam Roach, the Stuths fought for nearly two years to bring their granddaughter, whom they have raised since her birth, out of foster care and back to their home.

In a King County courtroom, Aug. 12, the adoption was finalized.

The girl’s biological mother – the Stuth’s daughter – was a strong-willed, pregnant, 15-year-old who didn’t understand the consequences of her actions, her mother said, but as parents and grandparents they cared for both. Somewhere along the way, the state decided Alexis would be better in foster care than with her mother or her grandparents.

“We never would have dreamed it would have happened to us,” Anne Marie said. “Her mom was living with us. It’s enough to rock anyone’s world.”

Little Alexis was taken from the Stuth’s home and placed in foster care. The battle to get her back was exhausting.

“It was nothing but a fight from the start,” Anne Marie said, adding that she and her husband felt like outsiders in the proceedings.

“We couldn’t be a party to the case,” she said. “We couldn’t defend ourselves. We couldn’t present evidence.”

“The fear was we’d lose her forever.”

There are families who do lose the battle and Roach wants that changed.

“This is a monumental case. This is a big deal,” said Roach, who is currently helping other families in similar situations. “This is a huge, huge, huge story for me. I worked on it for a year and a half.”

She said the state unfairly puts children in foster care rather than looking at family as the first option, which is the law.

“Had we not been blessed with Pam I don’t know if we’d have her here,” Anne Marie said of Roach. “She’s a scrapper. She made sure the state followed their own rules.”

She also praised King County Superior Court Judge Ronald Kessler.

“Judge Kessler believed she needed to be with family,” Anne Marie said.

The parental rights of both Alexis’ mother and father have been terminated, but the Stuth’s daughter still visits Alexis.

Saturday’s small birthday celebration of friends and family was a cherished moment. Sunday, the Stuths planned to spend time together with Alexis going out and doing something special.

“It’s amazing how much children change over that time,” Anne Marie said. “They grow, they change. It goes so fast.

“We’ve had a lot of support in this community. A lot of people have been ere for us through the good, bad and the ugly. This small town has been wonderful to us.

“We are very, very thankful to have her home,” Anne Marie said. “Very thankful. I don’t know if we can put it into words. We’re very blessed.”

To comment on this story, view it online at www.courierherald.com. Reach Brenda Sexton at bsexton@courierherald.com or 360-802-8206.


Enumclaw Courier Herald Reporter Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com or 360-802-8206.

Reader Gets It Wrong. DSHS Did NOTHING To Reunite Stuth Family

"You would think at some point, the Governor would give a crap.
When, other than the Stuth grandchild, has there been a decent story about DSHS? {This was not a decent story about DSHS. PR} This sick cycle needs to end and children need to be peoples first thought, not an after thought."

"When, other than the Stuth grandchild, has there been a decent story about DSHS? I do not want any of my readers to get the wrong impression. After the judge granted third party custody to the Stuths...after KING5 covered the outcome of the judge's decision...then there was some decent treatment.

But, PLEASE. Get this straight. THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT DO ONE THING TO HELP CORRECT ANY OF THE WRONGS DONE TO THE STUTHS, THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER, OR TO EXTENDED FAMILY THAT WAS PURPOSEFULLY LEFT OUT OF ANY PLACEMENT CONSIDERATION. The state listened to no one. After one 2 1/2 hour meeting a key AG said, "That was a waste of time." (under his breath of course).

Remember Dear Reader...look at what the department does, not what it says. Even after little Alexis (I called her Lisa in the blog) and a one-year-old boy were removed from the foster woman "for cause" on the penultimate day of the termination and placement hearing...the department and the AG continued to argue for termination and placement with the foster woman! (This woman showed up at a hospital in a self-induced stupor and had the baby with her. Fortunately, there were too many mandatory reporters for CPS to shrug off this one!)

The day following the removal was the last day in court. The judge would make his decision. In fact, after the mother's attorney accidentally found out about the removal (the state kept the information from the mother, her attorney, the Stuths and the judge) ...even after Alexis was placed in emergency foster care...the state still argued for placement with the foster woman. They were arguing for Alexis (age 3) to be permanently placed in a dangerous situation! (I had been telling the state it was dangerous for months! I later learned that they knew the foster woman was a problem. The state removed a different child years earlier!)

The state, knowing that Alexis and the baby boy had been removed the night before...argued to the judge when the mother's attorney wanted to inform the court about the removal that it should not be allowed! Judge Ronald Kessler allowed the additional information be entered. He was livid that he had not been told! The state argued then, that the information about the emergency removal was not important to the placement trial!!!! This folks is worse than sick!

To reinforce the fact: The state argued to the judge that he should not be able to hear the information about the dangerous foster woman for whom they were arguing placement. The state did not want the judge to know! The state wanted this toddler in a dangerous home! The state knew about this woman because I told them...ALL of them!!! I was the one who reported the black eye to the police...etc., etc., for many months. The state said the judge should not allow an additional statement from the mother's attorney saying the information had no bearing on the termination and PLACEMENT! Dear Readers....CPS did nothing to help the Stuths and worked against them having their granddaughter up until the very last second. Cyborgs do not give up.

Factoid From Ron In Spokane

"By the way..CPS caseworkers are not credentialed. They have no professional training other then a 6-week course. They are not licensed social workers and not even registered with the Dept of Health. Since they are not credentialed, they have no professional code of conduct.
.... Ron"

Touch Base With A Hero And Be Lifted By The Actions Of Others

"I've never quit at anything. I have always, like, pushed myself."

Wounded Marine speaking on the Glenn Beck Show. Traumatic brain injury, many leg operations...he was told he would walk with a cane the rest of his life. He went on to run a marathon and started the Wounded Warrior Fund.

Another Girlnapping

AND BROUGHT UP FROM THE COMMENT SECTION:

Dear Pam, All:

Tonight after taking care of my grandniece for 4 years, since she was a baby under the auspices of CPS and about to adopt her, the Adoption Assistance Team and CPS permanently removed her from my home. This little girl is in agony and so am I and there is not a thing I can do. I am the only mother she has ever known. They don't care about that, just their opinions which are based on deliberate falsehoods.

It was all around my ex-husband who committed a sex offense 25 years ago and I am still friends with him because he is the father to our three kids and grandfather to our two grandchildren. We are not married. We live separate lives, but because we are friends and he is around my family too, I "used bad judgment."

I had never left my grandniece alone with my ex-husband for HIS protection because he helped raise our own children with knowledge of the State. Nothing ever happened to them nor has DSHS found one thing wrong with my grandniece or my grandchildren.

Here is the worst part for me because it is all lies: They accused me of lying to them, when I did not. They said I did not tell them about my ex-husband but I am the one adopting this little girl, not him. I am not married to him nor do we live together.

They all say, DSHS, the CASA, all of them that my grand niece was well cared for and loved, a healthy well adjusted little girl who has never been abused. Yet still they say it will be impossible for me to adopt her. They have made up their mind. And so they took her and gave her away as to them all she is is their "property."

The name of the social workers are: Elizabeth Brandt and Sandy Greenup out of the Martin Luther King Children's Services and their supervisors are also going along with this.

I am in agony because I know it will permanently damage this little girl. Furthermore, they actually set my family up. They knew my ex-husband was coming to this meeting tonight and had insisted on a "no contact order" with my grand niece, which we were more than glad to honor and did honor. Then, without telling any of my family, they made sure my grand niece was there at this meeting when they, themselves, insisted on this no contact order ... I believe they were setting us up.

You can see it so clearly, that this DSHS "team" is sick. I have lots more to tell, but the truth is, even they say I did nothing wrong except they accused me of lying, which was a lie in itself. I have always been honest with them. Always.

I heard my grand niece screaming for me when I left. Screaming in agony for her Nana. What a terrible thing to do to an innocent little girl when I have done nothing wrong. Nothing.

THEY lie and it is fine.... but I tell the truth and I am a liar since I do not have any of their "credentials." Now I am in terrible grief and had to write. Senator Fairley's office, who knows the whole story advised me to post here because she said that Senator Roach was gathering these stories.

Thank you so much for having a place that let me speak about the corruption and sickness of CPS as well as the whole DSHS system because I needed a place to come and grieve. I wish there was help but I do not think there is for this little girl or me, the one who loves her more than anyone.
Cat in Seattle ~ keening in terrible grief.

Dear Cat,
Go back to Senator Fairley and ask her to stand up for you. Ask her to contact Susan Dreyfus directly. This is a non-partisan issue. The department lies without consequence and without apology. They really don't mind any of the hurt they cause. If Susan Dreyfus does not step up to make changes it will not happen for many years. This is a test of the governor. She either appointed Dreyfus to make our system work...or she was appointed to do a better job of defending the evil citadel.

Teaser

There is a movie being made about CPS.

The Fired DSHS Worker Is Running For The Legislature

What do you get when you cross a fired social worker and a politician?...Let's hope we don't find out! Here is the information that many of you have asked about:

15th District candidate Marichalar was fired from DSHS job

BY LEAH BETH WARD
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC, Tue. Aug. 11, 2009

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Donicio Marichalar, a Democratic candidate in the 15th Legislative District, was fired last year as a state social worker for failing to properly investigate allegations of child abuse, lack of productivity and for missing too much work, according to state officials.

Marichalar, 41, of Grandview, worked in Yakima in the regional office of the Department of Social and Health Services, where he supervised employees who investigate complaints of abuse and neglect of children in state care, such as foster homes and day-care centers.

His job classification was "social worker 4," the highest level in social work, in the Division of License Resources/Child Protective Services within the Children's Administration of DSHS.

"Your lack of production and performance failures diminish the overall effectiveness of meeting the mission of the Children's Administration," administrator Pleas Green wrote in the August 2008 letter dismissing Marich-alar.

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Marichalar confirmed that he was dismissed but declined to elaborate. He said he has filed a complaint contesting the action with the state Human Rights Commission.

"I really don't want to state anything right now," he told the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Marichalar is running for the state House seat held by Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee. His name is on the Aug. 18 primary ballot, along with Democrat John Gotts of White Swan and Taylor. Gotts ended his candidacy in June, when he decided to move to California.

Both Marichalar and Taylor will advance to the General Election.

Marichalar was the subject of a 2008 investigation by the state Auditor's Office into a whistleblower's allegations that he failed to properly investigate or report at least five allegations of child abuse and neglect at two day-care centers.

In one incident, the auditor found that Marichalar didn't act on a report that workers at a day-care center had been advised to sedate crying babies.

The Herald-Republic published a story summarizing the audit findings in March 2008. At the time, neither DSHS nor the state auditor identified the supervisor who was the subject of the whistleblower's complaints, citing personnel rules. Both agencies confirmed recently that Marichalar was the unnamed supervisor in the audit.

As a result of the audit, he was transferred to a nonsupervisory job with DSHS in Yakima before he was fired.

Marichalar said the claims in the whistleblower audit are false. He also said he filed his own whistleblower complaints against DSHS management, but he declined to elaborate.

Ken Nichols, DSHS child welfare director for Yakima, said an internal agency investigation found them to be accurate.

At the request of the Herald-Republic, the agency released a copy of its termination letter to Marichalar on Tuesday.

"There was merit to the whistleblower's complaint," Nichols said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

He said Marichalar's dismissal was the result of the audit, his failure to complete "investigative assessments" -- reports on potential problems in foster care and day care -- and unauthorized and excessive absences over a five-month period.

He was supposed to complete three investigative assessments per week. Instead, he completed eight in a six-month period in 2008, according to DSHS's termination letter.

The letter states that he took leave from work without required approval 16 percent of the time between Feb. 25, 2008, and June 25, 2008. In May of that year, he was absent 46 percent of the time, according to the letter.

He also visited Web sites unrelated to work, according to DSHS, including "myspace, match.love.aol, (sic) hallmarkstore.com."

Marichalar had worked for the state agency since 1998.

17 Honduran Diplomats Removed For Support Of Democratic Process In Honduras

The Obama Administration Wants To Kill Democracy In Honduras. Actions speak louder than words. This story reports that diplomats appointed by Zalaya are not loyal to him! Why not??? Because he broke the law. Because he was constitutionally removed. Because they are trying to protect democracy in Honduras. PR

Honduran consuls ousted for disloyalty to Zelaya By E.J. TAMARA (AP)LOS ANGELES — Four Honduran consular officials have been removed from their posts for refusing to declare loyalty to the ousted government of Manuel Zelaya or for supporting the man who replaced him, officials said Friday.Enrique Reina, Honduras' ambassador in the United States, told the Associated Press that the consuls were dismissed in Los Angeles, New York, Washington and San Francisco.The consuls were removed after Zelaya's Foreign Affairs Minister Patricia Rodas asked each consulate last month to provide a written statement outlining its position on the coup.
Vivian Panting, Honduras' consul in Los Angeles, said she didn't respond to the letter because she didn't want to take sides.

Zelaya was rousted from his home at gunpoint in June and flown into exile. Roberto Micheletti's interim government has refused to consider Zelaya's restoration, despite calls from the United States and the European Union.

Because Washington recognizes Zelaya as Honduras' legitimate leader, consular officials appointed under Zelaya's government continue to hold their posts in the United States.

Reina said a total of 17 consular officials have been removed so far and more changes may be necessary.

Martha Lorena Alvarado, interim Assistant Foreign Minister in Honduras, said the situation was complex because the United States has not recognized consular officials named by Micheletti's government.

"To me, (this is) an unprecedented question from a diplomatic perspective," Alvarado said. "I don't know until when this situation will be sustainable for the Department of State."

Micheletti's government had recognized the four consuls as legitimate before they were removed.

A sign outside the Honduran consulate in Los Angeles stated that offices were closed because of security concerns. A spokesman at the Honduran consulate in New York said the consul did not go to work on Friday.

Associated Press writer Claudia Torrens contributed to this report from New York.

CPS Disses Professionals And Takes Their Kids Too

What do you know...another 3 year-old girl taken from a grandparent. PR

Kris Coppedge, LMHC, LICSW has left a new comment on your post "WA State DSHS Supervisor Fired...No...I Am NOT Kidding":

My name is Kris Coppedge and I am a licensed mental health therapist and a licensed independent clinical social worker. I am also the foster grandmother of a 3 year old who is now in foster care. She lived with me for about 6 months. Her parents lived in my home with her for part of that time. I was unable to take custody of her and sought assistance from Children's Services in Lynnwood. I was greeted with rudeness, sarcasm, and refusal to dialogue. In spite of multiple attempts to invite conversation regarding my granddaughter's 6 months in my home, including medical treatment, daycare experiences, sleep problems, and my observations of her parents and their parenting skills, they refuse to listen. I am appalled at the poor social work practice. As a mental health therapist I periodically need to make a report to CPS as I am a mandated reporter. My dilemma is that I fear children and families will be damaged by the Department. The Department seems to thrive on power. Due to the Department's actions, my 3 year old granddaughter experienced broken bonds further contributing to an attachment disorder that may permanently impair her ability to function in the world.

US Ambassador In Honduras Called To Washington

August 9, 2009
"The left wing has a lot of support (from outside Honduras), apparently including U.S. Ambassador Hugo Llorens. So, to maintain freedom here remains a challenge."
American in Tegucigalpa

August 14, 2009
"No details as to why. The biggest news is that U.S. Ambassador Hugo Llorens was recalled today."

"The United States Ambassador to Honduras has just left Honduras, at the request of the United States Government. Hugo Llorens has been asked to present himself in Washington." http://hondurasnews.com/2009/08/14/us-ambassador-called-to-washington/
American in Tegu

Aug. 16, 2009
"The U.S. yesterday de-credentialed three Honduran Consulates in the U.S. that were NOT actively supporting Zelaya!"
American in Tegu

The United States does not recognize the constitutional removal of Manuel Zalaya who had been elected president almost four years ago. When he tried to hold an unconstitutional election he was expelled BY HIS OWN PARTY and the national Supreme Court. The United States backs the deposed president and rejects the actions of this freedom loving country. The US is doing everything it can to force a despot back to Tegucigalpa.

Several Republican members of Congress have now spoken up. Connie Mack and others visited Honduras. Bottom line: Obama backs the socialist. Republicans back the people of Honduras who are standing firm to keep their country free. PR

The United States Stands Aside As Honduras Is Infiltrated By Chavez.

For weeks now Chavez has been streaming Venezuelans into Honduras to foment unrest. Of late he has been paying Hondurans to demonstrate. For Obama this is very easy..the abandonment of democracy in Honduras...when the national debate is health care. You will only read it here!

From a Honduran friend in Honduras:
"The worst thing that is happening right now in Honduras is that poor people, students, teachers and the rest of people that are receiving millions of dollars to make a civil war, is incredible how many dollars are being spread from Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador and lots of Nicaraguans, Cubans, and Venezuelan´s are in making all the violent things going on. Cavez offered 20 million dollars to Micheletti, so he can let Mel be president again, But Thank GOD he said NO."

Mainstream Media Shores Up Democrats As Health Care Ails

I am watching a rerun of the Saturday Night Live 2008 Presidential Bash. What do you know? Right as health care is crumbling...NBC pulls out the 'ole stuff about Bush and Palin to remind us how the majority of the nation viewed the two right before the election. Health care may have been bad...but Republicans would have been worse!

NBC is rushing in to help the Democrats as health care tanks. They rush in to catch things...make it a soft landing...Seeing the polls with the rest of us they again use their power to influence the people.

Glenn Beck In Seattle, Sept. 26th..Be In The Pam Roach Section

Please go to glennbeckseattle.com to order your tickets from Evergreen Freedom Foundation which is sponsoring the Beck visit. In the comment section of the site say you want to sit in the Pam Roach seating!

I will be giving a speech in another state on Friday afternoon...and then flying home that night to be at Safeco Field for Saturday's fun. $25 without lunch and $50 with a box lunch.*

I am flying my 82 year-old mother in to see and hear Beck. When this guy "got it right" on Honduras...I was sold!

* $100 gets you on the stadium floor. If you are interested in that just comment to me and give me your contact information. Thanks everyone!

And Drunk With Power...The Liberal Lets It Rip

If they aren't careful they'll give "liberal" a bad name again with those important swing voters!

This one has made the rounds in emails. It is a video of a congresswoman saying she would have the government run the oil industry. She is an unabashed socialist.

http://webmail.aol.com/44148/aol/en-us/Suite.aspx


http://bit.ly/uXOSI


Take a look at the first comment. What an idiot! What? You want government taking over everything that is private? Kids too...right? Government can always do it better. Find another blog. This one isn't for you. This one is for people who cherish freedom. This one is for people who understand what government can do with unrestrained power. Chavez controls the oil in Venezuela. Good deal right?

The Day The Music Stopped

Les Paul died today at 94. I bought my son a cherry Gibson SG like the one Jack Black plays in "School of Rock." Inspired, I picked up the guitar again. Tonight, Phill Celver (retired Auburn coach), his wife, and guitar were coming out to the farm for dinner and a jam session. Then a torrential rain and lightening struck. The trees fell and Phill couldn't get up here! Fitting. There is no music here on the day Les Paul died.

KING 5 Covers Alexis Stuth Adoption

There were tears today...and lots of smiles. God bless this new...and now complete, family. I love them.

http://bit.ly/24u6YU

(Thank you Cheryl for helping with the link!)

My Post To The KING 5 Blog

This has been a great day for the Stuth family, but there are many more families in WA State who have had children wrongly taken from them. Like in the Stuth case...lies are told about the grandparents by those who evaluate them for placement. And, the grandparents have no standing in court to defend themselves in front of the court against those false accusations. Ninety-nine percent of the time the child is lost to a predetermined foster adopt person. (In this case Alexis had shown up at her preschool with a black eye, the foster mother had a restraining order out against a boyfriend with a gun, etc.) What was not reported in this story (because of time limitations I'm sure) was how Alexis Stuth came to be returned....Let me tell you the drama....On a Tuesday, KING5 was in the courtroom as the state argued for termination of parental rights of the teen mother, and adoption with the foster woman. This woman was unfit from the get-go but the state would not back down....That evening at 6 PM the state went to the foster woman's house and removed Alexis and a one-year old boy that was also going to be adopted by her. The children were removed "for cause" and taken to emergency foster care. The next day in court the state continued to argue for termination and placement with the foster woman who had shown up at a hospital in such a self-induced condition that she could not walk a straight line. Hospital employees were required to report her! KING5 was again in the courtroom. Then, in a break in the proceedings, the new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Alexis approached the Stuths and mentioned what had happened the night before. The Stuths were shocked. No one had told them! No one had told the mother's attorney! And, the state also failed to tell the judge! With the "cat out of the bag" the judge was informed by the mother's attorney and hit the ceiling with anger! Thank you Judge Ronald Kessler! He then awarded third party custody to the Stuths....DSHS and the AG did everything they could to take that child! Even in the courtroom with the TV camera rolling...they were going to take that child even if it meant withholding important information about the fitness of the foster woman! It was luck..a slip of the lip...the state NEVER did the right thing by the Stuths or Alexis. As a State Senator I am appalled at the system. Grandparents need standing in court in custody cases. People who lie before a court should be held accountable! People who withhold important information should be held accountable. There are many things in the system that reward a placement outside of relative care. Today we saw an almost unheard of ending. There are many out there who are wrongly having children taken...and there are other situations where kids sit in danger and are not protected. It is time for CPS to get it right!

New Mom, Anne Marie Stuth, Sent This To Us....

'In the best interest of the child'

Do grandparents have rights in child-custody cases? That is a matter of much interpretation, and that's when things get murky.

BY M.D. KITTLE, ASSISTANT CITY EDITOR

Carol Schute, of East Dubuque, Ill., looks over photos of her grandchildren, whom she is no longer allowed to see. Schute's son and daughter-in-law recently lost custody of their two daughters, ages 5 and 9. By proxy, Schute can have no contact with her grandchildren, according to Iowa law.

They worked a puzzle, that last day. They read stories. They sang songs. "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." "The Wheels on the Bus." Two young granddaughters alternating time on their grandma's lap. Like they had done countless times before.

But this time, an agent on behalf of the state was waiting. The clock was ticking.

Carol Schute had 30 minutes to say goodbye to her grandchildren, knowing the supervised visit was meant to be the last goodbye. Without being told, Schute said, her 5-year-old granddaughter knew as much, and she didn't want to let go.

"My youngest grabbed ahold of me saying, 'Grandma, you take me home with you, you take me home with you,'" Schute recalled of that day last month.

"I said, 'Not today, sweetheart. Not today," Schute said, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. "But I couldn't cry in front of those girls because I didn't want to upset them."

The 5-year-old and her 9-year-old sister were taken back to separate foster homes, days after a Dubuque juvenile-court.

(This is the first part only. It breaks your heart. I don't see how so many in government turn their backs on this. But, that is what is happening.)

Get Out There To A Congressional Recess Meeting!

Thousands of Americans can now put "community organizer" on their resumes. Take your kids! They are the ones who will suffer most if this health care debacle passes. Get them out there and let them know you fought the fight! Be an American Gladiator!

WA State DSHS Supervisor Fired...No...I Am NOT Kidding!

15th District candidate Marichalar was fired from DSHS job
BY LEAH BETH WARD
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Donicio Marichalar, a Democratic candidate in the 15th Legislative District, was fired last year as a state social worker for failing to properly investigate allegations of child abuse, lack of productivity and for missing too much work, according to state officials.

Marichalar, 41, of Grandview, worked in Yakima in the regional office of the Department of Social and Health Services, where he supervised employees who investigate complaints of abuse and neglect of children in state care, such as foster homes and day-care centers.

His job classification was "social worker 4," the highest level in social work, in the Division of License Resources/Child Protective Services within the Children's Administration of DSHS.

"Your lack of production and performance failures diminish the overall effectiveness of meeting the mission of the Children's Administration," administrator Pleas Green wrote in the August 2008 letter dismissing Marich-alar.

Great...get fired from DSHS and then run for the legislature. (Please...no need to comment on that!)

This Message Is For Stan Shore....

Hey, Stan....Can You Build A Campaign Brochure Around This?!
Will Charlie grow into those feet!?

KING5 WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Don't Miss It!

KING5 tonight at 10 and 11 PM will cover the story! The Stuth adoption is final!

If you are out of town go to KING5 and click.

WSMA (Med. Assn.) On The Record Over Socialized Medicine

I attended an open house today for the Ambulatory Surgical Center in Pulallup, WA. The lobbyist for the WA State Medical Association was there, DOH folks, and docs.

The situation begged the question :o) And, ladies and gentlemen...who better to ask it?

Pam to the Surgical Center: Will the Obama medical plan help or hurt your business? There was a little dancing and no music. But...

SC: There will be more price shopping for services. (I guess that means that you will paying yourself.)

Pam to WSMA? Do you support the president's plan?

WSMA: Well if...and if.... then we can support it. Then he volunteered that the medical associations in the southern states had broken away from the National Medical Association over this issue. Does that mean WSMA is somewhere in the middle? There are no "maybes" in taking a vote. It is "yes" or "no," "yea" or "nay."

As they say in the south: If you ain't agin it, yer fer it!" ...Amen to that!

In the meantime according to the evening news, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pilosi says you are unamerican if you protest health care reform (their form).

DSHS Ombudsman In Spokane...What Will She Hear?

Ombudsman for DSHS, Director Mary Meing, will be in Spokane Wednesday, August 12, at 10 AM. This is an open meeting to be held at the Red Lion Inn at the Park. Friends will meet in the lobby beforehand.

Kevin Graham of the Spokesman Review will attend. WA Families United and the National Coalition for Children's Rights may be carrying the ball on this. It is a good time to network and ask to have your situation reviewed.

In Answer To Another Reader....The Key Factor

"A victory for Lilly would be, in the long run, a victory for all.

A battle such as this could ultimately change law.

This victory for one may be the one victory for all."

Maggie NYC

And, Maggie...the best change in the law would be to grant standing in court to grandparents in custody cases. The department judges them without opportunity for rebuttal. Many times they are not even allowed in the courtroom. And, when they are they hear the state argue against them for placement as though the grandparents are on trial as criminals! And yet, the states and AGs around the nation seem to have no problem with that.

The goal of government when in court is singular: GET THE CHILD. The judge only has the material provided by the department in front of him/her. And it is a rigged process since the judge can not hear from the grandparents unless they have come up with thousands of dollars, on short notice, to hire and attorney and get standing.

I have sat in the courtroom and listened to the state argue while these lawyers for the department should have reasonably known they were lying about grandparents. In the Stuth case...even the TV camera and prime time Seattle News at a major station was not enough....It is really bad.

Readers: Have you sent off your well thought out and spell checked letters?

Reader Comment Shows Interest But Lack Of Understanding

"maybe its time to move on and spread your efforts to other children's cases..there are more kids out there with far far more horrible stories than lilly..."

Dear Reader,

Your comment gives me a chance to straighten the chairs.

I am a citizen legislator and we are part-time (though the work is full time if you kept track of the hours). I have many things that I do that I do not write about in this blog. Therefore, with limited time I have to focus. The focus in this subject matter is to let the public know what is gong on at CPS and hope that changes will be made in the general operation at the department. We don't have to have legislative changes for 80% of wrong doings. They simply need to follow the law. (NOTE: This blog is something I do in my spare time because I am an advocate for openness and accountability in government.)

In the case of Lilly it boils down to this: An employee wrote a bad home study. The child was taken from the grandparents based on the home study. If the child was taken on a false and I believe malicious report...should the child go back to the grandparents or permanently kept away from them?

The story around this issue would only be "trappings," interesting things many of which themselves are egregious.

But, if the department can take a child based on lies from a report...then they can continue to do so. Right now that is exactly what is happening. Is that right? NO. It is not. The department, having erred for whatever reason...should be busting its collective ass to correct the error.

Blackberries, Blackberries, Can't Hide From Grandkids

The garden is coming on strong. Thank you, Jim.

While I work out of my home office...Jim is harvesting and putting up pickles and jam. Sunday night five grand kids went with Jim and Rep. Roach and son, David, to pick berries down by the pasture.

It was a great crew! Jim pulled the pick-up close to the thicket to reach the high parts. Davis (2) was down low...He came back with a McDonald's medium sized cup full of blackberries. The berries didn't have a chance!

You should have seen the faces and hands!

WE ARE CREATING MEMORIES

Health Care Debate Comes Home...Join The Pile-On And Wear Cleats

Wow....even our local Seattle Press is covering the town meetings. McDermott, Baird, Larsen, Murray...

Thanks, Democrats! As a Republican I want choices in health care. I do not want a commission to tell me what I can have and can't. Thank you for pointing out the differences between us.

Attend the town meeting of your Member of Congress.
Join the pile on and wear cleats!

What Do We Do With Stolen Children?

"She needs to come home...to the family who loves her and raised her." Lilly's Mom

The great grandparents have fallen in love with Lilly. That is understandable. Lilly was well taken care of by her maternal grandparents before CPS wrote a report that is now being redone. If the 3 year-old had not been so well taken care of she would not be as sweet, loving and well behaved. She thrived with her grandparents. They are heartbroken!

The girl was on her way to a adoption, as you recall, before the GG Parents stepped forward to save her. Then, they decided they liked her. They decided that there was an opportunity to have the child themselves rather than help her back to the good people who raised her.

1. The mother had been told by CPS that if she gave up the child she would go to the grandparents who had raised her. That was a coercive, manipulative, and false statement designed to trick the young mother and ultimately take the child for adoption.

2. The department maligned the grandparents in court. They had no standing and therefore could not defend themselves. The department maligned the grandparents to the GGPs who initially had a good impression of the grandparents. How would they have come to another opinion? CPS...what did you tell these people?

3. I called the GGPs to alert them of what was happening and they stepped in as relatives wanting placement. The child then went to the wealthy great-grandparents who were told by CPS that if they wanted her they could have her. I give them credit for stepping forward. If they had not the child would be gone.

4. "Two wrongs do not make a right." Everyone loves the child. The department lied to get her and used the court to steal her. What do we do with stolen children? We return them.

Note: If anyone feels I have misrepresented any of this scenario please contact me through my office. Unlike some in CPS...I am willing to correct mistakes. I am only reporting what is happening so the public will understand what their government is doing. In any other circumstance I believe the GGPs would feel as most people do. They certainly did when they were first notified.

What To Do With All These Blackberries...

New friend Carol potlucked (new word I made up) this Saturday night at a reunion for those of us who went to Honduras in May. WOW. This was the best blackberry pie ever!

BLACKBERRY-APPLE PIE

Pastry for 2-crust pie
3c. fresh blackberries
1c. thin, peeled green apple slices
2½ to 3 tbsp quick-cooking tapioca
1c. sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon
2tbsp. butter or margarine

Pick over and wash berries in cold water. Lift out and drain. In large bowl, combine berries, apples, tapioca, sugar and cinnamon, mixing well.

Turn into pastry-lined 9” pie pan. Dot with butter and adjust top crust and flute edges; cut vents.

Bake in hot oven (425 degrees F.) until crust is golden brown and juices start to bubble up in vents, 40 to 50 minutes.

Farm Journal’s Complete PIE Cookbook
1965 Edition

How Do You Take A Poor Republic And Make It A Dictatorship?

There is a formula for changing a poor Latin democracy into a socialist block. The Orgnaization of American States with US backing has been suppporting Mel Zelaya. Here is what Bill from Honduras says:

"In order to understand the severity of Zelaya's actions, we have to imagine a situation where President Barack Obama tries to pass legislation on health care, immigration, or any other policy. For Obama to expect full support in Congress or even full support in the Democratic Party would be unrealistic. Yet President Obama would be so eager to pass legislation or implement policy in all these areas, that instead of negotiating with Congress, he appeals to popular referendums taking advantage of his current popularity. Thus, because Obama is annoyed at Congressional resistance and because he is aware of his popularity, he calls for constitutional reform via a popular referendum that approves a constitution that increases the power of the President to carry out a "socially just policy". Would not America be outraged at such an action? That is exactly what Hugo Chavez did in Venezuela, what Evo Morales did in Bolivia, what Rafael Correa did in Ecuador and what Zelaya tried to do in Honduras."

ONLY Here...Honduran Update From American In Honduras...Tone Darkens

With most of the press taking the baton from the international media here is a well written account from an American in Tegucigalpa:

Dear All,

Another great TV Discussion about Honduras today appeared on the Pajamas Network. They had a small crew on the ground here in Honduras, doing the best, unbiased reporting we've had. See their latest video: http://www.pjtv.com/v/2272 (please cut and paste...ed).

I'm very sad to report that the PJTV crew suffered serious harrassment at the hand of Zelaya supporters when covering a demonstration last Saturday. They've now left Honduras, in fear of their personal safety. Freedom of the press suffers another golpe.

Meanwhile the Chavist supported world media continue to support Zelaya's full restitution. So does most everyone else it seems. Except for about 90% of Hondurans, who lived under Zelaya. They oppose Zelaya. I'm thinking it's a money thing. Chavez has a lot of money for special projects. Paid demonstrations. Special bonuses to supporters. Coupled with sanctions, contract, and job losses to doubters. I guess its the old "carrot and stick" approach to governance?

Little other news. Demonstrators block roads at times. Inconvenient, but usually there's a way around. The world leaders continue their effort to restore Zelaya. But they won't come here to talk with the people. Certainly, no-one in Government. After all, current Government people are "NOT LEGITIMATE".

Some groups send "reporters" here to find the truth. They go home, and report their pre-conceived notions, probably in line with what their funding source would like. Tends to be nauseating, pure BS. Some of those "reporters" probably didn't even leave their 5* hotel room!.

A dear friend phoned me today, and warned me to keep a low profile, and not speak out on this issue. I have a lot of respect for this person, who has lived here 40+ years. We've been friends, almost since arrival here, 14-1/2 years ago.

But Honduras is my home. I think my feelings have value. To let the opposition control all the agenda is to surrender your soul, and cave in to a system you know will be bad in the long run. So I'll stay as I am. And take the chance.

Who knows, the white hats may win!

{signed}

Stand Up! Stand Up! Come Forward!

The following came to my blogbox just like you will read it. My comment: If you are an elected official like you say you are then pick up the phone and call me! Join the fray. I don't care if you were elected to the cemetery board...get out and fight!

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Susan Dreyfus To Head DSHS":

I am a politician; have a foster license; a sibling at home; a clean record; over thirty years in the same community. Parents said, let mom adopt the baby; judge said, "Intervention denied." The foster adopt home is a better placement; she is happy there (not so). Baby had lived with us; we are the de facto home. Yes, they do and say anything they want with no regard for the child who is suffering in a strangers home and without their biological and loving family. Families are being destroyed all across the nation by this organization. How can Susan Dreyfus have the time to undo the damage that has been done in Washington State? Will she help CPS gain even more strength to take more children for less than abuse or neglect? Will she realize that taking children is now about the almighty dollar and against the principals of Almighty God? I am not a senator, yet, but when it happens to them, they will move fast, and they will do something about this. The children need to be saved from CPS, their rules, their services, their impromptu scheduling and visits that leave a family so confused as to what constitutes a "normal" life for their child. The taking of children is about the money they receive for the foster to adopt. If the federal government would raise the "incentive" to adopt to the biological family instead of strangers, families would be together today; you can bet on that, and take it to the bank. We need to write to the federal representatives about making this happen. Then CPS would truly work to get children home, and/or with a biological family member.

And minutes after I posted this I got this one in the box! Elected Official...I like you! Call my Senate Office at 360-786-7660.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Stand Up! Stand Up! Come Forward!":

Hello Pam; Yes, I am fighting hard in my small community. I stay in contact with my legislators, almost on a daily basis; I give them a daily update. I was in Olympia for the legislative meeting this year; I attempted to see you, after knocking on every door, but you were feverishly busy. Tell me how to contact you and I will give a call! Since I have a pending case, I choose not to use my name on this site, but I will let you know when we speak.

THIS, DEAR READERS, SHOWS ONCE AGAIN THAT CPS IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS. IF THEY WANT YOUR CHILD THEY WILL TAKE HIM (USUALLY HER).

New Baby Boy!!! Charlie Is Here!

Charlie is here!

Tonight at 9:02 in the Bonney Lake home of Rep. Dan Roach and Melanie...little Charlie joined the family. He is a real cutie. Very sweet. Hardly cried at all.

Mel and Dan and midwife, Nancy Spencer were upstairs. The rest of us were in the house painlessly passing the couple of hours. I took Ethan (8) to his ballgame and his cousin Matt (8) joined us. Little ones watched "Scooby Doo," Grandma Bonney saw baby Hannah (3 weeks)for the first time. Aunt Jamie cleaned the kitchen, Jim brought in a box of zucchini and reminded everyone to take some on the way home. I was the food runner...snacks are imperative!

Ten minutes after Charlie was born the family went up to see him.

We are very thankful for our blessings. Our Heavenly Father has watched over Melanie and Roz and Claire...and our three new grandchildren. We give a humble thanks.

Clean Bill Of Health For Lilly's Grandparents

Update on Madison.... Yesterday Lilly's grandmother received a physical and a clean bill of health. In her words:

"The doctor said we were "excellent candidates" and "neither of us have any current illness or condition that would interfere with the proper care of a child." I am sending off our medical reports to both Thomasina James (DSHS) and XX (private) and faxing to XX. As you all know this was one of DSDS's "concerns". We have now proved them wrong in everything but still have no Madison."

Charlie Will Be Here Sometime Today, Thursday!

I remember the last time I was at Mel and Dan's house for the birth of a grandson.

It was also in August but steaming hot like last week. I am sure if things were a bit odd it would only be in the eye of the beholder. But certainly things were unusual.

By the time the mid-wife arrived the house was crowded. Packed with people. Melanie had volunteered her home for John's bachelor party and the wedding was in the morning. The food was in the family room, the party underway, and these single guys had no idea that upstairs Melanie was in labor!

I was campaigning and I was trying to figure out if I could make it to my 6 PM fundraiser and be back before the baby arrived. I was contemplating that when Dan skipped down the stairs and went out the front door. He said nothing. I called the host and excused myself. There was no way I could make it there and back.

Dan returned in a rush and skipped, this time, up the stairs with a bottle of oxygen tucked under one arm and braced with the other. There was not a glance at his grandma and me. We viewed this from the living room couch where we sat. Mom had just flown in for the wedding.

Mel was glad for the noise from the party. You never know if you are going to groan or something. She pumped up the country music in the bedroom just in case.

For Melanie it was really hot upstairs. No shade trees. Windows on the west. Heat rises. There was no air conditioning.

Music in two locations, bachelors jabbing John, grandma and great-grandma on the couch...toddler Ethan someplace. And, in two giant Olympic pushes, Drew was born.

We could hear him. Twenty-minutes later Melanie walked down the stairs and showed off her new baby. We went out in the street where the neighbors had gathered.

Melanie will have this delivery induced at 1:30. I will be sitting on the same couch.

Northwest Territorial Mint To Leave WA State

Washington's Department of Revenue is charged with bringing in more money. (That is how they see it anyway.) So, they are revisiting businesses to see where they can get more money.

They are, for instance, going to gun clubs and assessing more taxes saying those who come to view the sport (even though they do not pay for use of the facilities) factor into the tax equation. DOR extracts more taxes when people are allowed to view the sports for free.

During session the mints in WA went to a certain Senator to sponsor legislation to protect against a new DOR tax classification. Without regard for the issue, the Senator withdrew support of the bill because an aide found something negative but unproven about the owner of one of the mints. The bill failed to pass.

Northwest Territorial Mint is the largest in the state and the west. They do a $300 million a year business. During session they said they would move if the bill did not pass. They are now moving to Nevada. One of my sons has been working for minimum wage (hoddying molten silver) and will be one of those out of a job thanks to "personal" issues rather than working on legislation for the best interests of the state. I can honestly say I have never done that...voted on how I felt about an individual rather than how I judged the bill.

Pam Roach Responds To Reader. "I Am Unique," Says Roach.

From two readers:
"Let's not get caught up in the investigation of CPS to the extent that we overlook crimes, molesting, abusing, neglect, etc. that actually occur in SOME cases on the part of parents or grandparents. These outrages do happen, and CPS, however imperfect needs to be involved. No governmental authority or agency or body acts at 100% efficiency or correctness at all times, and we'd be fools to expect that kind of perfection. We are not anonymous. We are
Dave and Lorrie Davis, Auburn, wa"

Thank you Dave and Lorrie. I appreciate the opportunity to reset the debate. This is just a humble blog. I follow a few stories and a few subjects...and mention a little about my family. I have been told by a reporter for the AP that I am the ONLY elected official in the country who writes their own blog. So, I am unique.

I am a legislator and I am interested in law and whether or not it is being followed and how it might better serve the people. Government accountability is important to me. Here are my responses:

#1. No one is forgetting about the crimes and molestations, etc. that happen at the hands of relatives. Let's not forget that DSHS has knowingly left children in dangerous situations. I reported on the 47 pound 14 year old who had gone to CPS via her school. The social worker had spent 30 minutes interviewing the family and left the girl there four years prior. They never went back...even though the girl stopped going to school. What did they think...that the girl wasn't punished after she blew the whistle? No, Dave and Lorrie, I don't forget these things! I am probably the only elected official who called the King County Prosecutor and asked for an exceptional sentence for the worse than wicked father and wicked step-mother. But, what do you think Dave? Should the department do an investigation on this? Should the public have a right to know what happened? Should we be able to see the statewide statistics on these foul ups? Would public knowledge put pressure on CPS to do a better job? I think the more the public knows the better. There is too much secrecy in CPS. Open government is a tool for the public and the lack of it is a shield for those that need correction within the department.

#2 I disagree that we can't shoot for a 100%. The WA State Patrol is a very good example of a disciplined agency. If an officer is even thought to make a mistake they are put on administrative leave until an issue is resolved. The employee is actually the point of newspaper stories, etc. Real names are used for Pete's sake! If you are following this blog ask yourself this: What happened to the person who lied in the in home study of the Stuths? The report said they did not financially support their daughter or visit her at all. It took KING5 to tell the world the truth. The government's own records showed the visitation vouchers paid to the Stuths and the Stuths produced cancelled support checks. Did the department investigate any of the many, many terrible things to which the Stuth's were subjected? What would happen if a cop wrote a false report and it was proved? Yeah...that's right. Different agencies have different standards.

Just like you, dear readers, I expect the best performance from government. That means no lies, and it does mean accountability, openness, and an effort to correct their wrongdoings.

Dave and Lorrie...it just isn't news when everything goes well. We must spend our time working toward perfection. I will continue to work for constitutional freedoms and the protection of vulnerable citizens.

Comment From The Wall Street Journal

FYI to PRR Readers...This from the Wall Street Journal:

After Clinton backed Aristide, key Democrats went into business with the Haitian.

By MARY ANASTASIA O’GRADY

In October 1994, President Bill Clinton used the U.S. military to force Haiti to take back former President Jean Bertrand Aristide, an intolerant populist who had been deposed in a coup three years earlier. The Haitian people didn’t fare well under the decade of Aristide tyranny and corruption following that U.S. intervention. But key Democrats, who secured contracts with the Haitian government, did.

This sad chapter in U.S. foreign policy is a reminder of the immortal words of the French statesman Charles Talleyrand: “Countries don’t have friends, they have interests.” The Clinton administration had interests in Haiti. And that fact is worth recalling as President Barack Obama, defying all logic, insists that Castro-ally Manuel Zelaya be restored to the presidency in Honduras.

Healthcare, Cash For Clunkers, Keeps Focus Off Caribbean

U.S. News media has focused on domestic issues: health care, cash for clunkers, joblessness, trillions in deficit, looming tax increases and even birth certificates, Sarah Palin, and custody of Jackson's children. But, while of legitimate interest there are important hemispherical concerns that should not be over-looked.

Democracy in Honduras is a very big issue for us. It is not in our interest to lose another country to socialism in our hemisphere. America's left can't give the land away fast enough.

Another hunk of acreage is in Cuba. Finding a replacement location for the prison at Gitmo is not so much about moving prisoners as it is ceding land to Cuba. Wait and see. That is where Obama is going on this one.

Obama has set a deadline of January 22, 2010 to close the prison camp. When that is accomplished giving the site to Castro will be touted as a reasonable next step, ostensibly to save money. But, in reality a gift to the Castro-Ortega-Chavez cabal that he is now pleasing with diplomatic aggression in Honduras.

Garden And Chicks

Good news! Jim has harvest 60 zucchini in 20 days. (They are great marinated and grilled.)

But here is the BEST NEWS!
Of the 27 sexed chicks we bought at the feed store around Easter...one turns out to be a rooster! We are in business!!

Republicans Are Not Fundraising With This Information...Just Getting The Word Out

APPARENTLY THEY HAVE ANOTHER 500 PAGES TO GO

"Contact your Representatives and let them know how you feel about this. We, as a country, cannot afford another 1000 page bill to go through congress without being read. Another 500 pages to go. I (another elected official) have highlighted a few of the items that are down right unconstitutional.

• Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!
• Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!
• Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)
• Page 42: The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.
• Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services.
• Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.
• Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
• Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN)
• Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange.
• Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans)
• Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens
• Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care plan.
• Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you have no choice in the matter.
• Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No "judicial review" is permitted against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed.
• Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
• Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run public plan. No alternatives.
• Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND their families.
• Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll
• Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll
• Page 167: Any individual who doesn’t' have acceptable healthcare (according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.
• Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay for them).
• Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will have access to ALL American financial and personal records.
• Page 203: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." Yes, it really says that.
• Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and the poor most affected."
• Page 241: Doctors: no matter what specialty you have, you'll all be paid the same (thanks, AMA!)
• Page 253: Government sets value of doctors' time, their professional judgment, etc.
• Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for private healthcare industries.
• Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.
• Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!
• Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems preventable re-admissions.
• Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the government.
• Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited for owning and investing in healthcare companies!
• Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand without government approval.
• Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on "community" input: in other words, yet another payoff for ACORN.
• Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures: i.e., rationing.
• Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc.
• Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS individuals.
• Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by phone).
• Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?
• Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes ahead of time.
• Page 425: Government provides approved list of end-of-life resources, guiding you in death.
• Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment; government dictates how your life ends.
• Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment as patient's health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.
• Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life.
• Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.
• Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for ACORN.
• Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government intervenes in your marriage.
• Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating and rationing those services.

NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL OR E-MAIL YOUR STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND LET THEM KNOW IF YOU WAHT THIS PLAN."

Congressional Democrats Fundraise Off Of Healthcare Fears Just As They Accuse Republicans Of Doing

Letter From Bill Clinton and Paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

(This is an excerpt from the fundraising letter. It seems the money will go to candidates.)

Dear (personalized),

It seems like the 1993 health care debate all over again. Back then, I led the charge for comprehensive health insurance reform. I fought tooth and nail to get it done, keenly aware that millions of Americans were living in fear that a serious illness or injury could spell economic disaster for their families. Americans needed health care reform then and we urgently need it now.....

But, just as I did in 1993, President Obama has run into a buzz saw of special interest opposition to his top domestic policy priority -- health care reform. He is facing off against some of the most powerful special interests in Washington who've launched a furious campaign to preserve the status quo....

Republicans have made a political calculation that they'd rather attack Congressional Democrats with sound bites and misleading characterizations of the President's health care reform plan than work on behalf of the American people.

It's up to us to prevent the Republican Party and their special interest backers from doing whatever they can to prevent this historic opportunity to make quality health care affordable and accessible to all.

(Please give, address, etc.)

Paid for by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Signed by Bill Clinton