This story is ostensibly about Randy Johnson’s daughter from a relationship prior to his current wife and the lawsuit he filed against her mother seeking repayment of daycare funds paid over the last five years for his now-16-year-old daughter. That doesn’t involve me, so I don’t care. I don’t see why anyone else would, either, except that Randy Johnson is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Really, though… so what.
One portion of the “journalism” included in the article reflects a much broader tendency in our society, though, one that guides flawed policies in at least one area (taxation). I think it’s important. It’s definitely more important than the facts, especially as presented in this tabloid fashion. (Sidebar: people in New York read this crappy paper?) Consider:
Observers were befuddled that Johnson would file a lawsuit over what amounts to chump change for the millionaire – all while risking unwanted publicity on an intensely private matter.
How does his financial wealth factor into this lawsuit? Since he’s a millionaire, we should side against him because he can afford it? What if he’s right, as he may be in this case? We shouldn’t rule against him because we’re jealous of his money. It’s the same stupid logic that leads us to progressive taxation. Because the rich can afford it. Nonsense. The rich have as much claim to fairness as the poor in the financial responsibilities associated with child-rearing.
Via: Baseball Musings
The New York Post makes the Daily News look like the Lancet.