Talk about a Nanny State…

Just a week after Delaware Democrats began pushing for “Markellcare”, a single-payer healthcare takeover that would potentially outlaw any and all private health insurance in Delaware, Delaware legislators are pushing another sweeping bill that will have unintended negative consequences.  SB 234 is a bill that seeks to address child abuse in the state.  This is an admirable idea, that is until you read the bill which is at best ambiguous and at worst, nothing short of a nanny state takeover of parental rights.  First, let me display the general consensus of the nanny state legislators who are pushing this bill:

Good afternoon,

I am writing to correct misconceptions about the proposed criminalization of child abuse under Senate Bill 234. We are not changing the definition of child abuse! Currently, we do not have a law to charge those who abuse, neglect or torture children that is specific to meet the needs of our kids. That's what this new legislation does! Simply, it makes it criminal and will punish those who beat (not spank), abuse, neglect or torture our kids.

As a mom of 3 kids, I fully understand the difference between discipline, spanking and beating, and this law does NOT prevent parents from disciplining/spanking their child under 11 Del. C. Second 468 (which I pasted below). We need to end abuse. We need to strengthen or laws. And we need to protect all children from the lifelong and possibly deadly consequences of these vicious acts.

I am hoping that the parents who love their children and wish that all children grow up safely will stand behind me.

Respectfully,

Rebecca Walker, JD, MSN

State Representative 9th District

Office: 302-744-4391

Fax: 302-739-2313

Email: rebecca.walker@state.de.us

Actually, it IS illegal to abuse children…at both the federal and state levels. (State: http://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c009/sc01/index.shtml, Federal: http://www.childwelfare.gov/can/defining/federal.cfm)

As a father of 4 kids, I fully understand the difference between discipline, spanking and beating.  I fully agree that "child abuse" should not be tolerated.  However, SB 234 is ambiguous at best and downright controlling at worst (http://www.legis.delaware.gov/LIS/LIS146.nsf/vwLegislation/SB+234?Opendocument).  Contrary to Representative Walker's claims, this bill WOULD in fact, legally outlaw "spanking" per the following clause;

(j) “Physical injury” to a child shall mean any impairment of physical condition or pain.

So, causing pain can be considered "Physical injury" for the purposes of this bill.  Woe to the parent who smacks an unruly child and causes them to cry.  There are already countless cases around the country of people interceding in parental discipline cases both warranted and unwarranted, add to that an ambiguous law that gives an ambulance chaser the opportunity to make a few bucks by trying a parent for what amounts to bending their child over their knee and you open the FLOODGATES for children to run roughshod all over their parents.  "Touch me and I'll sue!" becomes the next phrase out of our kids mouths and parents will be HELPLESS to rear their children as they see fit.  It's my hope that thinking parents, reasonable parents and decent parents will stand with ME in saying, "We don't need the government to tell us how to discipline our children." 

This is not a new thought process for states either.  Parental rights from where you choose to educate your kids to how you discipline them and even how you feed them have been under assault for decades and from all levels of government from the U.N. all the way to cities and municipalities.  This assault on our kids and on our rights must be stopped.  Folks, we can discern between “discipline” and “abuse”.  We know the lines, it’s time for common sense.  Call your legislator and tell them to vote “NO” on this ambiguous and unnecessary bill and if they DON’T, if this bill passes and they haven’t stood for our parental rights, make sure you tell them that you will vote them out of office. 

State Senators
District 1: Harris B. McDowell, III Office: (302)744-4147 Home: (302)656-2921 Harris.McDowell@state.de.us 2311 Baynard Blvd Wilmington, DE 19802 Democrat	District 2: Margaret Rose Henry Office: (302)744-4191 Home: (302)425-4148 MargaretRose.Henry@state.de.us 1910 N. Washington Street Wilmington, DE 19802 Democrat
District 3: Robert I. Marshall Office: (302)744-4168 Home: (302)656-7261 robert.marshall@state.de.us 1702 Sycamore St. Wilmington, DE 19805 Democrat	District 4: Michael S. Katz Office: (302)744-4286 Home: (302)540-5603 michael.katz@state.de.us P.O. Box 3844 Wilmington, DE 19807 Democrat
District 5: Catherine A. Cloutier Office: (302)744-4197 Home: (302)478-9616 catherine.cloutier@state.de.us 2404 E. Heather Road Wilmington, DE 19803-2718 Republican	District 6: Liane M. Sorenson Office: (302)744-4136 Home: (302)234-3303 Liane.Sorenson@state.de.us 417 Snuff Mill Hill Hockessin, DE 19707 Republican
District 7: Patricia M. Blevins Office: (302)744-4133 Home: (302)994-4843 Patricia.Blevins@state.de.us 209 Linden Ave Wilmington, DE 19805-2515 Democrat	District 8: David P. Sokola Office: (302)744-4139 Home: (302)239-2193 David.Sokola@state.de.us 24 Beech Hill Drive Newark, DE 19711-2947 Democrat
District 9: Karen E. Peterson Office: (302)744-4163 Home: (302)999-7522 Karen.Peterson@state.de.us 1306 W. Newport Pike Wilmington, DE 19804-3521 Democrat	District 10: Bethany A. Hall-Long Office: (302)744-4286 Home: (302)378-8386 bethany.hall-long@state.de.us 127 Saint Augustine Court Middletown, DE 19709 Democrat
District 11: Anthony J. DeLuca Office: (302)744-4165 Home: (302)737-4929 Anthony.DeLuca@state.de.us 27 Trevett Dr. Newark, DE 19702 Democrat	District 12: Dori Connor Office: (302)744-4164 Home: (302)328-8944 Dorinda.Connor@state.de.us 18 Crippen Drive New Castle, DE 19720-3243 Republican
District 13: David B. McBride Office: (302)744-4167 Home: (302)322-6100 David.McBride@state.de.us 7 Nicole Ct. New Castle, DE 19720-3760 Democrat	District 14: Bruce C. Ennis Office: (302)744-4310 Home: (302)653-7566 bruce.ennis@state.de.us 522 Smyrna Clayton Blvd Smyrna, DE 19977 Democrat
District 15: David Lawson Office: (302) 744-4237 Home: (302) 492-1155 Dave.Lawson@state.de.us 2257 Westville Rd Marydel, DE 19964 Republican	District 16: Colin R. J. Bonini Office: (302)744-4169 Home: (302)698-0960 senator-colin@prodigy.net 276 Banning Road Camden Wyoming, DE 19934 Republican
District 17: Brian J. Bushweller Office: (302)744-4162 Home: (302)674-5442 brian.bushweller@state.de.us 103 Burning Tree Rd. Dover, DE 19904 Democrat	District 18: F. Gary Simpson Office: (302)744-4134 Home: (302)422-3460 gsimpson@udel.edu 6 W. Clarke Ave. Milford, DE 19963 Republican
District 19: Joseph W Booth Office: (302)744-4117 Home: (302)856-1850 Joseph.Booth@state.de.us 200 Garden Street Georgetown, DE 19947 Republican	District 20: George H. Bunting, Jr. Office: (302)744-4286 Home: (302)539-2229 George.Bunting@state.de.us P.O. Box 1497 Bethany Beach, DE 19930 Democrat
District 21: Robert L. Venables, Sr. Office: (302)744-4298 Home: (302)875-9559 Robert.Venables@state.de.us 116 Hearn Ave. Laurel, DE 19956 Democrat
State Representatives
District 1: Dennis P. Williams Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)764-1812 Dennis.Williams@state.de.us 3414 N Madison St. Wilmington, DE 19802 Democrat	District 2: Stephanie Bolden Office: (302) 744-4351 Home: (302) 428-1269 StephanieT.Bolden@state.de.us 38 E McCaulley Ct Wilmington, DE 19801 Democrat
District 3: Helene M. Keeley Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)655-7071 helene.keeley@state.de.us 2107 W. 2nd Street Wilmington, DE 19805 Democrat	District 4: Gerald L. Brady Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)655-1373 gerald.brady@state.de.us 1804 Shallcross Ave. Wilmington, DE 19806 Democrat
District 5: Melanie George Smith Office: (302)744-4126 Home: (302)832-1956 melanie.g.smith@state.de.us 12 Calvarese Dr. Bear, DE 19701 Democrat	District 6: Debra Heffernan Office: (302) 744-4351 Home: (302) 762-3478 debra.heffernan@state.de.us 113 Blue Rock Rd Wilmington, DE 19809 Democrat
District 7: Byron H. Short Office: (302)744-4297 Home: (302)475-2252 Bryon.Short@state.de.us 14 Chestnut Road Wilmington, DE 19810 Democrat	District 8: Quinton Johnson Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)378-2681 Quinton.Johnson@state.de.us 151 Back Creek Dr Middletown, DE 19709 Democrat
District 9: Rebecca Walker Office: (302) 744-4351 Home: (302) 293-2356 Rebecca.Walker@state.de.us 4386 S Dupont Hwy Townsend, DE 19734 Democrat	District 10: Dennis E. Williams Office: (302)477-1993 Home: (302)577-8723 Dennis.E.Williams@state.de.us P.O. Box 7257 Wilmington, DE 19803 Democrat
District 11: Gregory F. Lavelle Office: (302)744-4171 Home: (302)478-6128 Greg.Lavelle@state.de.us 500 Whitby Dr Wilmington, DE 19803 Republican	District 12: Deborah D. Hudson Office: (302)744-4171 Home: (302)651-9571 Deborah.Hudson@state.de.us 1022 Oriente Ave Wilmington, DE 19807 Republican
District 13: John L. Mitchell, Jr. Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)995-1803 john.l.mitchell@state.de.us 1234 SYCAMORE AVENUE Wilmington, DE 19805 Democrat	District 14: Peter C. Schwartzkopf Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)227-6252 Peter.Schwartzkopf@state.de.us 24 Coventry Rd Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 Democrat
District 15: Valerie Longhurst Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)836-3717 Valerie.Longhurst@state.de.us 11 Winchester Court Bear, DE 19701 Democrat	District 16: James Johnson Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)322-3521 jj.johnson@state.de.us 105 Skelton Drive New Castle, DE 19702 Democrat
District 17: Michael P. Mulrooney Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)328-1249 Michael.Mulrooney@state.de.us 32 Saratoga Dr New Castle, DE 19702 Democrat	District 18: Michael Barbieri Office: (302)744-4192 Home: (302)368-7257 michael.barbieri@state.de.us 88 Iroquois Court Newark, DE 19702 Democrat
District 19: Robert F. Gilligan Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)999-8722 Robert.Gilligan@state.de.us 2628 Sherwood Dr Wilmington, DE 19808 Democrat	District 20: Nick T. Manolakos Office: (302)744-4321 Home: (302)239-3943 Nick.T.Manolakos@state.de.us 227 Charleston Drive Wilmington, DE 19808 Republican
District 21: Michael Ramone Office: (302)744-4108 Home: (302)737-3412 Michael.Ramone@state.de.us 211 Nathan CT Newark, DE 19711 Republican	District 22: Joseph E. Miro Office: (302)744-4171 Home: (302)454-1840 joseph.miro@state.de.us 5 Firechase Circle Newark, DE 19711 Republican
District 23: Teresa Schooley Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)454-1176 Terry.Schooley@state.de.us 2 Chapel Hill Drive Newark, DE 19711 Democrat	District 24: Edward Osienski Office: (302) 744-4351 Home: (302) 292-8903 Edward.Osienski@state.de.us 183 Scottfield Dr Newark, DE 19713 Democrat
District 25: John A. Kowalko, Jr. Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)737-2396 john.kowalko@state.de.us 134 N Dillwyn Rd Newark, DE 19711 Democrat	District 26: John J. Viola Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)832-2209 John.Viola@state.de.us 9 Orangeburg Ct Newark, DE 19702 Democrat
District 27: Earl Jaques Office: (302)744-4142 Home: (302)834-9231 earl.jaques@state.de.us 82 Cann Road Newark, DE 19702 Democrat	District 28: William Carson Office: (302)744-4113 Home: (302)653-8642 william.carson@state.de.us 680 Lake Dr West Smyrna, DE 19977 Democrat
District 29: Lincoln Willis Office: (302) 744-4033 Home: (302) 659-3436 Lincoln.Willis@state.de.us 142 Island Lane Clayton, DE 19938 Republican	District 30: William Outten Office: (302)744-4083 Home: (302)398-3816 bobby.outten@state.de.us 206 Delaware Avenue Harrington, DE 19952 Republican
District 31: Darryl Scott Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)735-1781 Darryl.Scott@state.de.us 102 Cobblestone Lane Dover, DE 19904 Democrat	District 32: Bradford Bennett Office: (302)744-4253 Home: (302)697-8110 bradford.bennett@state.de.us 52 Stuart Drive Dover, DE 19901 Democrat
District 33: Jack Peterman Office: 302-744-4171 Home: 302-335-4261 jack.peterman@state.de.us 595 Log Cabin Rd Milford, DE 19963 Republican	District 34: Donald A. Blakey Office: (302)744-4103 Home: (302)697-6723 donald.blakey@state.de.us 956 Bison Rd Dover, DE 19904 Republican
District 35: Dave Wilson Office: (302)744-4150 Home: (302)422-3454 David.L.Wilson@state.de.us P.O. Box 84 Lincoln, DE 19960 Republican	District 36: Harvey R. Kenton Office: 302-744-4171 Home: 302-422-6155 Harvey.Kenton@state.de.us 3 Quail Ridge Rd Milford, DE 19963 Republican
District 37: Ruth Briggs-King Office: (302)744-4251 Home: (302)856-4987 Ruth.BriggsKing@state.de.us 3 Par Ct Georgetown, DE 19947 Republican	District 38: Gerald W. Hocker Office: (302) 744-4171 Home: (302)539-4140 Gerald.Hocker@state.de.us P.O. Box 930 Ocean View, DE 19970 Republican
District 39: Daniel B. Short Office: (302)744-4172 Home: (302)629-6525 Daniel.Short@state.de.us 1203 Stein Hwy Seaford, DE 19973 Republican	District 40: Clifford G. "Biff" Lee Office: (302)744-4171 Home: (302)875-5119 biff.lee@state.de.us 705 S. Central Ave Laurel, DE 19956 Republican
District 41: John Atkins Office: (302)744-4351 Home: (302)934-1587 john.atkins@state.de.us P.O. Box 717 Millsboro, DE 19966 Democrat
Governor Jack Markell
Jack Markell Office: Dover: Wilmington: Democrat