Some people just don't get it

I find myself taking my children's father back to court. My intention
is to get the ability to claim our children as tax dependents...
something the court gave to him years ago. I don't feel I have a
choice. Not only is he not providing child support- I can deal with
that (unfortunately, the court did not tie his ability to claim the
children to his actually helping to support them), but my hands are
tied in claiming the relief the Federal government provides parents.
For the record, I have no qualms of the court ordered amount being
reduced as both of our financial circumstances have changed.

I was actually shocked by his answer to my motion. He would like to
pay nothing in child support because he is having a tough time
financially; however, he would like to keep the children as tax
dependents. Is this not absurd?

Yes, I understand that many non-custodial parents feel financially
raped and a few folks out there will be applauding my children's
father's efforts; however, I am not one of the financial rapists. My
eldest son has a different father... I never asked his father for a
dime in child support and he is now grown. I would not have asked for
child support for the younger children except a divorce was involved
and all I was "allowed" to "give away" was spousal support. My belief
system is such that I think it unwise to punish a child for the acts
of either parent... hence, I will go without before my children ever
will. I would never give my child half a sandwich and tell him his
father owes him the other half, you know?

However, I am appalled that my children's father not only doesn't care
whether they have what they need or not, but now expects that the fact
that he sired children to have a financial benefit. Tell me... is
there any paternal love in his heart at all?