May 17, '07: Sanity in Governing Award

I have a client, let's call her Doris, who I have come to experience as a good, caring, honest person. Last year Doris spent 5+ months in the Washington County Jail, a very unpleasant place at best, for failure to pay child support. Doris owed the state child support because several years ago she had given up custody of her beloved son to a relative. She had given up custody because she believed herself unable to adequately care for him, and thought the relative could do a better job. Giving up custody does not, however, relieve a parent from responsibility for child support; something poor men and women know all too well.

While she was in jail, Doris lost income, her job, her house, her car -- facts not likely to improve her ability or willingness to pay the past due child support.

In more places we can count, the Bible tells us God is greatly offended when we oppress the poor. Even for those who lack religious sensibilities -- does anyone see a problem here?

And so, for all the Dorises in Washington County, and in Oklahoma and in America who are in jail today for child support obligations, let us pray to the Lord...

Christ have mercy...