Dad told to pay for child's birth or wed mom

Submitted by Matt on Mon, 2009-01-19 17:08

Story here. Excerpt:

'FLINT, Mich. (AP) - The state of Michigan is giving a father a choice: pay the medical cost of his daughter's birth or marry the girl's mother.

Gary Johnson was billed $3,800 for the birth of his daughter JaeLyn, The Flint Journal reported in Sunday online editions. Johnson is not married to the child's mother, Rebecca Witt.

The Michigan Legislature amended the state's paternity act five years ago to waive birthing costs for a father, if he married the child's mother. A year later, Witt gave birth to JaeLyn. The state paid for the hospital costs because Witt was on Medicaid at the time and is now trying to recover the money.'

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So blatant. So unabashed.

"The state paid for the hospital costs because Witt was on Medicaid at the time and is now trying to recover the money."

No kidding.

"The state" (metaphorically and literally) wants someone to foot the bill and it may as well be men. I don't see them chasing her down for half.

Of course, just throw in that 'marriage' clause, which essentially guarantees that someone other than 'the state' will be forever footing the bill for the lazy twit.

Why would women want a welfare state? Then they would have to contribute, too.

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Submitted by Scottie on Mon, 2009-01-19 20:50

If you read the article directly from the newspaper it uses the pronoun 'he' as in 'HE has to pay' giving the impression that they are only going after him for the money. But if you read the quote within the article from the agency that is trying to collect it says 'THEY' have to pay, implying that they are seeking money from the two of them (I think he is the only one working)

The picture shows them holding three young children and does not clarify if the man is the father of all of them or just the one.

Whatever the case may be, these people are reproducing more kids than they can afford and are expecting taxpayers to foot the bill.

I think a lot more couples would be more careful or choose other options if they had to be personally responsible for the bill.

And what is with them wanting a 'dream wedding'? They need to get their financial priorities straight and take care of their own kids without the help of welfare.

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Submitted by Kris on Mon, 2009-01-19 23:08

"Garth, marriage is punishment for shoplifting in some countries."

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Submitted by BinaryShadow on Wed, 2009-01-21 14:14