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Michigan Mom Told to Stop Baby-sitting | Print |  
Written by Gregory A. Hession, J.D.   
Thursday, 01 October 2009 09:00
school busIt takes a village to raise a child, except when the government gets involved.
In a small rural Michigan township southeast of Grand Rapids, Lisa Snyder volunteered to do a favor for a few neighborhood mothers, and watch their children for an hour before school so the mothers could get to work on time. She helps them get to the bus safely, and does not take money for it.

A neighbor reported this activity to the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS), and in a spasm of regulatory over-kill, the agency sent a cease-and-desist letter to Snyder right after the school year started. In it, the DHS demanded that she stop helping her neighbors by providing an "illegal daycare operation," because she was not a licensed day-care center.

A Michigan law prohibits persons from caring for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers. Violation of the law is a criminal misdemeanor and can result in fines and jail time.

After getting the letter, Snyder, a stay-at-home mother, contacted the Department of Human Services, but she "got nowhere."

Somehow this situation came to the attention of higher-ups in the government, and this week the Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, publicly weighed in on the matter. She instructed the agency Director, Ismael Ahmedm, to work with the State Legislature to try to change the law.

Yesterday, Michigan State Rep. Brian Calley (R-Portland) said he was working to draft legislation that would exempt situations like Snyder's from coverage under Michigan's current day-care regulations. "The bill will make it clear that people who aren't in business as day care providers don't need to be licensed," Calley said.

Ironically, Snyder was threatened with jail for providing a service to her community, a "crime" for which another tax-funded state agency may bestow an award to her. The State of Michigan funds the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), whose mission is to "build a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism," and "to help individuals get involved in their local communities." Outstanding volunteers are even given special service awards by the Governor.

Apparently, volunteerism is not legal unless it is done under the watchful eye of the government.
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Flu-Bird said:

0
 It takes a village of idiots
So now what will these butt in buricrats be doing now to stick their big fat intrusive noses in where they dont belong its like HITLER or STALIN would approve of
October 01, 2009

BeRealistic said:

0
 People be frightened for your future
One of the best things about this country was neighbor and friends helping each other out. Now our government bodies from local to federal want us to turn each other in and rule our very daily existance. The kids were kept safe, protected from predators and weather. Now what happens to them? Michigan you had better pray that nothing happens to one of those children now that they have to be left on their own.
October 01, 2009

Bonnie said:

0
 It takes a village to raise a child
This famous line was uttered by a village idiot. It takes a liberal to raise a village idiot.

The mothers ought to get together and try to slap some sense into that "considerate" neighbor.
October 01, 2009

G. V. said:

0
 ...
What is this country coming to? I am sad to have lived to see this day. You're right BeRealistic, they better hope that nothing happens to those children who were being kept safe. Why can't we fight things like this I hope something can be done to change those laws. Boy you get punished to help but you can get a reward for volunteering????? What a messed up law?
October 02, 2009

Bill White said:

0
 ...
I agree with what's been said. What is causing the ultimate demise of everything that made America a beautiful place to live is the constant regulation and interference of the government into what should be private affairs.

Instead of good neighbor policies, we are expected to have Homeowners Associations, instead of good deeds, we are supposed to pay more in taxes to have our legislators do them for us (less efficiently and with a hefty price tag and other add ons we may or may not agree with).

It's time to get big government stuffed back down into Pandora's box and then bury it at the bottom of a deep ocean. Otherwise we will become that which we fought against for many generations with blood, sweat and tears.

October 04, 2009 | url

lonie said:

0
 obama
the president ,does not seem to know what it means to be a person who ever has heard a true word of the gospel, of Jesus Christ,he is to lipreal,he does not understand what it means to even think about,this he has children also, he has 2 himself,is he a real dad or just some one who wants what ever the devils want, to take life and not preserve any.and give any one what ever they want. people need the real peace and love ,God made,Adam and eve ,not Adam and steve.one day Jesus will stand on the clouds and all shall have to bow before the one who shed his blood to set all free.we all closer than any one knows to the coming king.His truth shall march on throughout the land. seek the truth,not lies, seek first the kingdom of God ,then all things shall be added unto you.repent Obama.
October 13, 2009 | url

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