[an error occurred while processing this directive]

LATEST LETTERS

Teenage mother

Thursday, May 31 at 11:35 AM

Tracey L. Fanning of Thornton writes:

There is an old saying , The devil is in the details. Since The Rocky Mountain News is famous for leaving out details, I have some questions about the Monique Rodriguez story, May 21st, “‘I guess I thought it couldn’t happen to me.’”
Ms. Rodriguez is still in school. That is good that she is trying to complete her education and wants to become a Nurse. I hope she reaches her goal. Her grandmother watches her child while she’s at school. I’m glad she has that support.
I have some questions about the whole story. Ms. Rodriguez says her mother is a single mother that works all day. She supports 5 kids and helps her with her son.
Who paid for the prenatal care? Who paid for the hospital? How can a single mother support 5 kids and help Ms. Rodriguez with her son? What kind of job does she have that can support all those people all by herself? Most two parent families can’t support 5 kids plus a pregnant teen on two salaries let alone on one. How does she pay rent, food, clothing, transpotation, utilities, phone, cell phone, healthcare needs and any other expenses that come with parenting?
I am not going to believe for one second this family is not getting some sort of aid paid for with our tax money.
Now you can argue her mother works and pays taxes too. Yes she does. With 5 or 6 deductions, tax breaks, she really is not paying her way. With 5 children using the education system, just that alone leaves tax payer making up the difference.
There is no way this family is getting by or Ms. Rodriguez had that child without tax payer funded programs.
There lies the problem and the devil in the details.

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS