I was reading the New York Times the other day and I came across a very interesting article about the world' current financial crisis. I guess what the European Union is doing is requiring all of the banks they are financially helping to provide them (the European Union) with reports on the values of their portfolios.

Here is the article, but it's just on a different webpage:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/10/business/ecofin.4-427202.php

It got me to thinking about child support and how there needs to be more accountability as to how the parent receiving it spends it. Originally, I had thought of an idea like Crayon's (but didn't see she had posted something exactly like my idea before I did- sorry Crayon!) but I also think that the card idea could be combined with an idea like what the European Union is doing. The non-custodial parent would deposit the required amount of child support on an online account via the court system or state, and the state would mail a card with the required amount on it to the custodial parent. All places where anything is done for money/bought with money will accept this card. This way, the system can see whether it's being spent on stuff like drugs, weapons, or stuff for the custodial parent like the custodial parent's getting their nails done, going on trips, buying stuff NOT skid-related, and allow the store to note that the card $$$$ was spent on the kids (i.e. skids medical, school, haircuts, food to feed the skids, clothes for the skids, blankets, beds, and other necessary living supplies for the skids, music lessons, art lessons, karate, baseball, basketball, soccer, football, track, and the list goes on and on). The system would then do what the European Union is doing by requiring the BMs or their attorneys to submit to them receipts detailing how the $$$$ on the card was spent weekly. If a receipt is not submitted to them by BM or her attorney, there is an automatic reduction in the child support they receive. The reduction amount would be decided by the state/court system. Ideally I think it should be reduced by the amount Crayon mentioned, 20%, because most of us pay the BMs WAY MORE than what it REALLY costs to raise kids. If BM or her attorney failed to submit it a second time, then there would be an appropriate consequence (I can't think of any-any ideas?) and if the receipts aren't submitted a third time, then BM has to go to jail for some time (not too lengthy time but enough time for it to leave a mark on her that will change her behavior). I'm a big believer in three strikes and you're out. During the time BM is in jail SM and BF will have the kids and BM will have to reimburse them for any skid-related costs they incur. On an ending note, I know there are tons of good BMs out there (like Rags' wife and my mom) who use the system the correct way and don't run roughshod over the non-custodial parent. This isn't meant to denigrate them in any way. I also know that there are true single moms out there who do it all with no help from anyone (hi Crayon!) and I have a great deal of respect for you, Crayon, and all other parents out there who go it alone too. I just think the system needs a HUGE revamping.