Greetings!
You know you're making progress when the Family Bar has to hire a
public relations firm. This is an excerpt from their newsletter, written by David Manz, the Chair of the Family Bar:
"With the approval of the Executive Council, we have hired a public relations firm to address negative statements regarding the Family Law Section's position on alimony reform. Erin VanSickle of Capital Energy Communications, LLC will also assist us in publicity regarding the current state of alimony in Florida and our ongoing attempts to educate Floridians about alimony and enlighten those regarding misrepresentations and exaggerations being spread by the supporters of Florida Alimony Reform (FAR). Check out my article I wrote on behalf of the Family Law Section entitled "Preserving Alimony Laws is Good for Families and Taxpayers."
We expect the issue of alimony reform to resurface and are already planning our strategy to address it carefully. "
Alan Frisher, FAR's spokesperson, has responded to Mr. Manz's "My Turn" viewpoint" in the Florida Voice, but Florida Voice has not yet posted Alan's response. You can read it on the FAR website by clicking here.
This article has helped identify directly what the Chair of the Florida Family Bar believes. The comments those affected by alimony already posted in TheLedger.com totally blast Mr. Manz's words. Click Here to read the article in FloridaView, then Click Here to write a letter to the editor. The Letter To The Editor link is hard to find.
SAVE this email in your FAR email folder. Set up a folder. It will make it easier to keep track of what's happening, where we've been, and how you can help.
The following is one of the comments, made by Mark Elias, a FAR member. It speaks to the heart of who we are. This is in reference to Mr. Manz comments in an earlier article titled "Lawmakers Preserved Alimony" in TheLedger.com.
"He makes a final critical mistake in his claim that Florida Alimony Reform members are a small, one-sided group of Floridians. On the contrary, we are your fathers and mothers. We are your neighbors. Your brothers and sisters. Your stepmothers and stepfathers. The doctor down the street. The Alzheimer patient who is unable to work but still required to pay, permanently. We are salesmen and women. Firefighters and Police Officers. Airline pilots and flight attendants. We are business owners, and employees. We are journalists, both male and female. In fact, look around you. I am certain there are many in the newsroom that fit right in. There are even lawyers who are members. And many others who support loved ones who are saddled with an unjust burden."
Mark Elias speaks for many of us. Please let YOUR Voices Be Heard. There is Power In Numbers!
If you wish to write a Letter To the Editor for the Florida Voice, please do so, or make a comment in The Ledger. The way we will change Florida's anti-marriage, anti-family alimony laws is speak up at every opportunity we have. FAR is not going away, and the FL Bar knows it.
Join in the Florida Alimony Reform Movement. It's time to speak up and expose the consequences of divorce and alimony laws in Florida.
Read below to see what committee is best for you. If YOU want to see our laws change, YOU have to get involved!
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FAR Committees To better organize our efforts, we now have 6 Committees: Legislative Task Force Education Second Wives Club Advertising Events Fundraising - IMPORTANT Do we have a volunteer or possibly a paid position (based on what is raised) to help work our Fundraising committee? Without donations, we won't be able to continue to fight the FL Bar. We are building committees with volunteers. Look at the committees and see where you can help. Most correspondence between committee members will be email and conference calls. We will keep travel to a minimum. The quicker we get these committees up and functional, the quicker we can make a bigger impact. If we split the work between 5-10 people in a committee, it will take less time. Help Us Help You. Get Involved!! We also have a Group of Attorneys (some who pay permanent alimony) who are Pro-Alimony Reform and are helping our cause. Many times these attorneys would rather work behind the scenes. They have to deal with the FL Bar. We honor their request and thank them for their contributions. EmailFAR and we will put you in touch with the right people. Thanks! |
How Do We Expose the Family Bar?
By Telling The Truth!!!
We need to let people know what is truly happening with Florida's Alimony System. Press Releases are sent out to get picked up by various media organizations throughout our country. FAR has been using press releases as one avenue for spreading the alimony reform message. Press Releases work.
Here is FAR's response, through Press Releases, to Mr. Manz's comments. Florida Alimony Reform Group Says Laws Make a Mockery of Marriage. StreetInsidercom Florida Alimony Reform Group Says Laws Make a Mockery of Marriage. Florida Alimony Reform Group Says Laws Make a Mockery of Marriage. Florida Alimony Reform Group Says Laws Make a Mockery of Marriage. We are challenging those who think everything is fine. It's NOT. And Florida's citizens need to understand what is happening to honest, law abiding citizens under Florida's current out-dated, anti-family alimony laws!
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| Second Wives Club Beginning!
I am pleased to announce the start up of the Florida Second Wives (and Partners) Club. This group is especially important in light of recent quotes by David Manz, chair of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar who has stated that the members Florida Alimony Reform (FAR) are a "small, one-sided group of Floridians" or a "few angry men". For all of us who are either married to, engaged to, living with, or dating a permanent alimony payer, we know first hand and all too well that the devastating effects of permanent alimony are far reaching and profound. Some of us have witnessed firsthand how our incomes have increased our husband's alimony obligation, while others of us won't marry our significant others for fear that our hard earned income and assets could be touched by an ex-spouse.
In Massachusetts, where alimony reform was signed into law this past September, the Second Wives Club was instrumental in their success. The Florida Second Wives Club will be as strong, if not stronger, and very vocal in order to educate the world as to our plight. The world will see how permanent alimony affects all citizens, not just a few angry men.
While alimony is gender neutral, 95% of alimony is paid to women, so the Second Wives Club will have large numbers because many women date and want to marry a divorced man. In 1980, more than 30 years ago, New York State changed its alimony laws and decided that the purpose of alimony is to give the dependent spouse a bridge to make the transition to independence. Those who receive permanent alimony in Florida and elsewhere appear to be the only group of able-bodied people in the country who have no obligation to ever become self-supporting. Even welfare recipients are given several years of assistance and set free. Alimony was intended for women whose husbands left them when women had few career opportunities. Today, in a bizarre twist, the new wives of lifetime alimony payers are expected to use their economic power to support an ex-spouse who is given a free pass at self-sufficiency.
Join the FL Second Wives Club if your spouse or fiance is a lifetime alimony payer by clicking here.
Thank you.
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Deborah Leff-Israel
Committee Leader - Florida Second Wives Club
"The voice of the female casualties of permanent alimony."
Florida Alimony Reform
"Remember, if we let up, we lose!"
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Divorce Expo in NYC
The Divorce Expo, as reported in the Huffington Post, appears to be a good step in moving on with your life following divorce. Many people are fearful and just don't know what to do.
This Expo gives people, mainly women, the plans for moving on with their lives. It's pro-marriage, so you know they are anti-lifetime alimony. This is a boost the marriage industry has needed. Wouldn't you like to see your ex-spouse happily married? Most people would. It makes for a better society!
Groups that promote marriage we support. If you hear of an expo or seminar being held to help people move on with their lives following divorce, financially and emotionally, please let us know. FAR is pro-marriage. It should always be Your Choice in the USA!
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Advertising Committee: Billboards
We are currently collecting data for determining the best locations, terms, and messages for FAR Billboards. A simple message that might get attention is: DON'T GET DIVORCED IN FLORIDA FloridaAlimonyReform.com Give us your ideas. If you want a Billboard in your area, let us know. We can help locate other FAR members in your area. Together, we can make billboards affordable for everyone.
If you have 5-10 FAR members in your general area, you may be able to "Adopt A Billboard." Everyday you see your billboard, you know thousands of motorists, most of who are married, and 50% who are or will be divorced, can learn about Florida's Alimony Laws.
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Attorneys Still Wanted 
There is a growing number of attorneys frustrated with the direction and goals of the Florida Family Bar. They have heard the words of Mr. Manz, the chair of the Family Bar and reject his perception that permanent alimony is okay, and that our laws are among the most progressive in the nation.
We understand attorneys still have to deal with the FL Bar, and completely support you in staying behind the scenes. Your expertise and knowledge is very helpful in a strategic and effective approach to Meaningful Alimony Reform (not the watered down version we have been offered in the past)
If you are an attorney, or know one who would like to help us with Meaningful Alimony Reform with FAR, please contact us!
Thanks!
Together - We can make it happen! |
If We Let Up, We Lose!
Thank You for your continued commitment to updating Florida's archaic, anti-family, outdated alimony laws. It is 2012 and time to bring our laws into today's world. Leave it to Beaver has been replaced by the Modern Family. It's a different world. Cooperation creates Harmony. It expedites progress and makes your efforts fulfilling. TEAMWORK will give us Faster Results! As always, we appreciate your financial contributions. You can see the cost of billboard advertising. We need much more public awareness of Florida's Alimony Laws.
If you don't have much time to donate, please consider making a financial commitment to help end Lifetime Alimony, and equalize the playing field. Contribute Here |
| Big News Coming Soon
Much continues to happen with alimony reform. We are continuing to grow FAR and our contribution to helping transition from married to single be as smooth as possible, for everyone, especially the children. Thanks for joining the Florida Alimony Reform Movement!
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Forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers NOW!!
They need an Alimony Education and we need a
BIG Alimony Army
Join the Florida Alimony Reform Movement |
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Facebook and Twitter Icons are located on the FAR Home page on top right side.
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