At a meeting with the head of the NYS Office of Child Support Enforcement I outlined a series of complaints for discussion.  He looked at me and stated, "before we go any further I just want to point out that the number of complaints I have received in this area is none".  My arguments, all valid complaints from parents (men and women) were undermined because NOBODY bothered to file a formal complaint with the agency.  If there are no complaints there is NO PROBLEM.  You see, we have been mostly harping to ourselves and calling for "mass demonstrations", etc., etc. BUT we have not been doing the most important thing that we can do and that is voicing our dissatisfaction and disgust of the different facets of this system and writing letters of and or filing formal complaints. 

If you want change then you need to whine, squeak, holler, bitch and complain.  It needs to be in writing and each and every complaint needs to ask them (whoever you are sending it to) to fix it.  The letter should be directed to one person or group but you need to use your power of Cc-ing and copy it to as many people as you can think, most importantly policy makers, government officials and people NOT in the parents rights movement (stop whining or preaching to the choir).  You can develop your own personal protest in any area of policy that affects your family.  Here are some pointers to start your own personal protest.  The complaint MUST address one injustice and include WHAT you want done and WHEN you want it done.

1.    Pick an area of complaint.  For example, your child support was set high from "imputed income" and you can't pay it.  To often we use the "shotgun" approach writing long rambling dissertations of the many injustices we have suffered.  Those usually go in the "circular file" (trash bin).  Stick to one item of complaint and then do a campaign for EACH area.

2.    Find the proper people to send your letters of complaint to.  Get out the phone book and develop a mailing list of names.  Using the child support imputed income example you would develop a list of people at the County level who administer your payments and also a list at the state level (in NYS the Office of Child Support Enforcement is under the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance - OTDA).

3.    Develop your CC list.  This should include ALL government officials involved at ADMINISTRATIVE levels. In our example you would want to include your state elected representatives and County Elected representatives as they oversee the programs.  You wouldn't want to complain to the Judge about the decision BUT you can complaint to the ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE (In NYS that is the Office of Court Administration) asking why the law, policy or procedure wasn't followed in their venue.  REMEMBER to CC the Political parties and let them know this is a voting issue for you.

4.    Use RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.  righteous indignation is non violent actions with an attitude.  While I will certainly be polite and professional if you start peeing on my umbrella and tell me it's raining I will look at you and ask, WHY ARE YOU PISSING ON ME!  I will then demand you stop and atone for your indiscretion.  I am not afraid to chastise any person at any level of government for not doing their job.  They will start by trying to put you off or defer you to another person ("It's not my Job, man").  Thank them for the referral and then ask them what THEY are going to do!  Make sure you ask two questions, WHAT are you going to do about it- WHEN are you going to do it. 

5.    Stay at them.  Send the letter of complaint as often as it occurs.  FOLLOW UP WITH A PHONE CALL.  If they are doing nothing ask who their boss is and contact them and ask them why their underling doesn't do anything.  Put the ball in his court and let him know HE is now responsible.  Keep going up their chain of command.

6.    Get them in public and private places!  I know this is a point of contention with many people saying we need to be "nice" to get anything  I would say the same if it were not for the fact that our most fundamental civil rights are being violated, every day, consistently and for the past 40 years based upon a "politically correct -WE (government) are protecting your children and doing good" while we ALL know it is HURTING THEM.  Enough is enough, and so righteous indignation again.  Get them in public places or at public events and ask them and all around them why your issues are NOT being addressed.  Ask the pointed question, "Why do you support this policy (or action) which destroys families and hurts children?".  Get them at picnics, political fund raisers, public sporting events, PTA meetings, anywhere there is public comment (even if your complaint is "not topical").  Feel free to call them at home and ask them to fix the problem they said they would (one member called a high ranking Child Support person on Thanksgiving at his house and asked him why the problem they said would be fixed weeks ago wasn't.  Note he used righteous indignations and asked WHAT the person was going to do and WHEN he was going to do it and presented one item politely.  On the following Monday the problem was fixed by noon).  While this may be "annoying" to them the fact they are taking your children away, violating the law, your rights and your civil liberties is a little above "annoying".

7.    Use their propaganda against them.  When a political party sends you a request for a contribution send them the disposable income and a policy letter and note that you would support them except THEIR PARTY fostered policies which took all of your money and assets and children.  When politicians send you those slick mailers (bought and paid for with your tax dollars) that tell what a great job they are doing, write your complaint on it and FAX IT BACK TO THEM. Put things like "this might be true if you addressed the problems I sent to you last year".  ANY unsolicited letter asking for money with a paid return envelope should be stuffed with items and a note saying "I would but my assets were plundered".  When the politician "gives" (money taxed from you for their pet project) to a charity let that charity know it was YOUR money used.  If a charity solicits money let them know that you have none as the politician took it and gave it to "______" charity.  Any request for monetary support on behalf of your children (PTA, soccer, etc) should be sent back with the "custodial" parents contact info pointing out the children and your assets were taken and given to them.

8.    Get their supporters to help you.  If they own a business ask their customers to request they address policy issues or they will use another vendor.  Look up their political contributor lists and send those people letters asking them to send a request for action with their next contribution.  Go to their church and ask publicly for their forgiveness for sinning against you and your family.  Don't run around hollering "boycott" or "were going to get you" but DO tell the truth to that person and those around him.  Remember, the action has to have a WHAT you want done and WHEN otherwise it is being done just to harass them.

9.    Get YOUR supporters behind you.  We often forget to ask for others who support us to also write a complaint letter or one supporting our assertions.  Get your family to help.  Get your friends.  Ask the organizations you belong to to sign on to help by signing a letter or petition.  Get your family rights organization to write a letter asking what, if anything is being done with your complaint. Work together with other people in the same predicament (see Child Excise Tax Free Day). 

10.    DO IT.  Now you know what needs to be done so DO IT.  Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do this is YOUR PERSONAL protest.  YOU do it.  If another joins in, fine.  But all you need is YOU.  Others will tell you it is a waste of time, that the effort is worthless.  The system will label you a "one mad radical person".  All the NAY SAYERS don't matter.  You and your family have been violated without cause and you have a right to express your dignified outrage and Righteous Indignation!

EXAMPLE OF PERSONAL PROTEST:

The "little protest heard round the world" is something that I have been doing for many years on an individual basis.  When "child support" sends me something (such as "were going to seize your tax returns" or multiple health insurance orders to make sure I keep health insurance on children I have maintained it on their entire lives) I respond accordingly and send then a bunch (up to 10 at a time), in individual envelopes, "child support" payments of one dollar and I include a letter of protest in each one such as "Merry Christmas", "Who will lose their rights next-YOU?" or the standard "YOU destroyed this family" or any other recent information I have.  At the end of the month I request an accounting and my overpayments back.  When they stop sending me coupons I demand more and also a MONTHLY TALLY of payments.  I make sure I point out these children are now grown and have NOTHING to do with their paternal family.  The family was destroyed by those who claim to do good.  I encourage ALL of you to join in with the "little protest heard round the world" and on "Child Excise Tax Free Day", August 15, send in your "one dollar and letter of complaint and explanation to your local child support office.