Less Government

On Thursday I got a letter from the mother of a friend from college, let's call her Jan. My husband and I attended the same church as Jan and her husband "Dan" during college. They immediately started a family after college and now have four children. They visited us this summer, while Jan was still pregnant with their fourth child. They were obviously wonderful parents and their three girls appeared very happy and healthy. Okay, back to the letter: it stated that Jan and Dan's newborn son had not been able to gain weight after his birth, despite multiple visits to lactation consultants, dietitians, several pediatricians and a four day stay in the hospital. Recently, Jan and Dan decided to change pediatricians again in search of someone who could help them better understand all the different pieces of advice they've been given. When they cancelled their upcoming appointment with their current pediatrician he reported them to CPS. CPS then removed all four of their children from their home. The girls were returned to them after only a weekend, but their infant son has been in foster care for nearly a month. My husband and I are outraged that the government can come in and take a child away from his loving and capable parents at the suggestion of a doctor on an ego-trip.

A good friend of mine was recently surprised to find out that I generally vote Republican, even though many of my views could be considered liberal. This case is exactly the reason--I believe we need less government interference. If CPS could come and take away Jan and Dan's kids, they could take anybody's kids away. Parents should have the right to change their children's doctors and act in what they feel is the best interests of their children without fear of the government stepping in and ripping their babies from their homes.