Yeah, They Have It Made Alright

Last week I talked about kids having it made today. You’d think so with all the politicians falling all over themselves trying to pass laws to protect them. Right here in Kansas they’re trying to outlaw smoking in a vehicle with kids in it. Good idea, but do we really need the Government dictating things like this? Out in California they’re trying to outlaw spanking your kids, and in Texas they’re pushing a bill making it illegal to miss a parent-teacher conference. Yeah, I know it’s for the children. Or is it? Could it be that the children are being used as pawns to make a few politicians look good at election time. Surely not. It’s probably just me being cynical. We all know people wouldn’t intentionally take advantage of a child. Yeah right, there have been a couple of stories in the news lately that have really bothered me.
The first story involves a gay man who donated his sperm to a straight woman for the sole purpose of having a child. It turns out she had twins. He claims she agreed to let him be an active father figure. She’s denying it. He’s taken his case all the way to the Kansas Supreme Court. If he doesn’t like their decision, he’s vowed the next step will be the United States Supreme Court. He’s demanding his rights. She’s demanding hers. I haven’t heard a single word about the kids having the right not to have their lives drug through the courts. How about their right to live a normal life. I know I’m just an old guy, and it’s none of my business, but why would you bring a child into a situation like this in the first place? You’re certainly not doing the kids any favors. At best they’ll be raised in another dysfunctional family, and I’m not even talking about the man being gay. That’s another story for another time.
Then there’s the tragic story about Anna Nicole Smith. Like everyone I was saddened by the news of her death. What exactly was she so famous for? Oh yeah, partying, posing nude and sleeping with all the rich men she could find. Yeah, what a role model. What kind of a life did she provide for her kids? Well, her 20-year old son died of a drug overdose a few months ago. It’s too late for him. But what kind of a chance do you think her newborn baby has at leading a normal life? Scumbags are crawling out of the woodwork like cockroaches to lay claim the her lottery baby. The winner of this prize stands to win somewhere around half a billion dollars. I’m sure they’re only thinking of the baby, the money has nothing to do with it.
One of the main problems we have in our country today is, too many kids are growing up without a dad. Too many are growing up not even knowing who their dad is. Too many are running around doing anything they want with no one there to give them that swat on the butt to keep them on the right track. There are far too many dad’s out there who’ve run out on their kids. Too many people out there like Anna Nicole Smith having sex with so many different men, they’re not really sure who the father of their kids are.
So lawmakers, you want to save the children. How about outlawing people bringing kids into situations like this in the first place. How about outlawing immoral behavior, and just being a bad parent all together. But since there’s no potential for additional votes with this, I won’t hold my breath.
Or how about this idea. How about just doing right by our kids. It’s not really all that hard. Yeah, kids really have it made today.
Maybe I’ll be in a better mood next week.
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net