Wednesday, March 28, 2007

People Poll

Every morning on the Russ Parr morning show, they have a segment they call "People Poll" in which they raise a topic and solicit response from the listeners. This morning's topic was a about very popular pizza franchise (which they weren't sure which one) which puts "dead-beat" dads on their boxes! One of the show hosts made a great point (and many listeners agreed) in that only if they owe a certain amount of money and/are a certain amount of months delinquent on their child support...and even in taking it a little further, if they have a warrant. Another host said no (and of course listeners agreed), because that could prove to be very traumatic for the child...for instance if he/she has a slumber party, and they order pizza...lo and behold, dad's on the box of all his/her friends to see, that might not be a very good thing.

I am not sure how I really feel about this. One caller said that in her city, they put them on billboards!!! I mean I guess, it wouldn't be a worry if men (and women alike) would just step up to the plate and be responsible, but there are some that pay child support and have Booku children, so they are still in arrearages, hence they would be posted regardless.

What are your thoughts?

7 comments:

Nina said...

I'm leaning towards put the pictures EVERYWHERE!!! Yes, it wouldn't be a very nice situation for the kid to see dad's picture on a pizza box. However, if the child is old enough to read (because if they can't the picture could be about anything) then the child is probablly old enough to know he/she has a sorry ass daddy! By keeping these identities secrect, someone is doing society a public DIS-service! We can look up sex-offenders. We should be given this type of information as well. Would you want youself or your daughter to be involved with a man, unknowingly, who refuses to take responsibility for their own flesh and blood?!?! Who cares what measures have to be taken in order to get people to take responsibility for their actions. And what, are you only a dead beat dad if you're child support is 2 months late or 9? Maybe a year? Come on Tera, you don't get to keep your job if you show up 2 months late!! Why is it alrihgt to make up excuses for people who won't care for their children? You're either caring for them or you're not. Bottom line. Get a damn job and handle your business... or start using condoms, that what the pizza box should say under the pictures!

Anonymous said...

Wow Nina, tell us how you really feel! :)

I agree with you 100%, but of course I like to present it from both sides in case there's a "devil's advocate" out there somewhere! You know I know first hand the effects of dead-beat dads, my father is one, and well...you can fill in the blanks further if you know what I mean.

I think it is time to "raise the bar" on these jerks! I mean why should their identity be protected??? And lets think of it from this angle...one might be ready to consider DATING someone, and be able to have a fair chance at rethinking that after having pizza for dinner! I know I as a woman have learned enough to know that you should NOT want to be bothered with a man who doesn't take care of his children!!!

Nina said...

Amen!

Anonymous said...

Ok Girls I finally was able to check the blogspot. I never get to at work because it is blocked. Well, I heard the Russ Parr people pole too. I don't know. My father left when I was about 3 months and I never met him until my high school graduation! I was 17, a grown young lady heading to college in the summer, and pretty much set with the fact that I had never known my daddy. So anyway, he shows up looking like he is ready for the flood, $58000 owed in back child support, and a super tight 70's dress shirt! He was the loudest thing there with his Southern Accent talking about some "Dats ma bhabee!" I was just thinking what the hell? Anyway, enough about that. Sorry I went off on a tangent but I do think if his butt was more publicized that my mother would have been able to contact him. I probably would have had a better life, she wouldn't have had to work like a Jamaican and well, I would've been different as a teenager.

Just my thoughts!

Meka

Anonymous said...

I so AGREE with you all!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I so AGREE too!!

Someone once told me to be grateful for my father. "He DID help bring you into this world". Well he did! Thank you, dad! Seriously though, I can't get past the stories my mom told me about him after I was grown and married. The only reason why she did is because I'd asked. One, he showed up at the hospital the day after I was born. Two, he beg my mother (who was very, very young and niave) not to make him pay child support. Three, he had other children he refused to claim. I can go on for days with B.S. stunts my father pulled. I didn't understand why I needed to be grateful for someone who DID help bring me into this world but didn't help raise me in this world. Now check it out! My father calls me when he's in need of something. He claims he sooooo proud of me. Why? He really don't know me...so why?(Okay I went off a little too).

Really, these people like my dad needs to be taunted. I'll help put the flyers up and print the pictures on the boxes...whatever! These innocent kids never asked for anything so TAKE CARE OF THEM. These people need to step up and be the grown ass man or woman they claim to be. AND please stop making excuses. "If I work, child support gon' take all my check. I godda live too." "My baby's momma always be tripping I ain't going over there. I'll wait til she drop my kids off over here." Just ignorant! I hope once they're caught...they'll cut tie and sew!!!

Tera said...

Wow this seems to be touchy subject! I guess I didn't even think of it from the perspective of MY father...that's a whole new topic in itself! In that case, I am 300% PRO-BILLBOARD!!!

I couldn't point him out of a crowd of 2 until I turned 18...he's about $30,000+ in arrears...he didn't know I had children until for years (and had the nerve to say they looked like him!)...he has been in and out of jail all of his life, and you want to know the kicker? Before I relocated, he lived minutes away in the next city!!!

His damn picture should have been on the Goodyear Blimp!