Fight against child benefit cuts

Dear sir - Although I am not a Fianna Fail supporter, I have appreciated that even though the country was always destined to hit recessionary times (the complete blundering of their former leader has led to the situation being even worse for this country than the rest of the world; not that he, infacta, gives a toss) and understood that belts would be needed to pulled in. Like many I was not oblivious to the fact that cuts would come and we would have to "suck it up" and make the best out of a bad situation. Employers (for those of us lucky to have a job) have frozen pay which, not ideal but can be dealt with. Next, more taxing our wages plus a hike in health levy. Well not great but needs must. I didn't complain overly about the early childcare supplement being pulled, yes it was great to get it but you know what, I figured that cuts had to be made, money had to be pulled in from somewhere, so it wasn't a great surprise. Plus it was never going to touch the amount needed for childcare as it was (which by the way is over €1,000 a month); I am not being ungrateful- just stating the obvious. What I cannot stomach is the very fact that child benefit is now being targeted. Does our constitution not respect the children? Why are they being penalised? Parents are finding it hard as it stands making ends meet, along with the fact that there is less money coming in than ever, and the State are clawing back as much as ever. In terms of great ideas, it's up there with taxing children's shoes. I don't even feel the need to explain why child benefit is so important, it's pretty self-explanatory. I can only assume that the current government is looking at two things, firstly, returning the woman back to the home, and secondly, planning on a mass reduction of the population in 20 years' time. Smaller population, less benefits? This is an interesting time in our history, so let us see how much more can be piled on the backs of the already broken before it dawns on us, enough is enough. For anyone who agrees with me please see here: http://www.petitiononline.com/protest4/petition.html and lend your name to this protest by signing. Yours, Aislinn Sheehan, Abbeygrove, Navan.