Deadbeat Parents

Re “Clinton Signs Tough Deadbeat Parent Bill,” June 25: How does putting one of the child’s parents in jail help the child?

I understand how it helps government bureaucrats and custodial parents get money, but since there is no accountability on how this money is spent, no one knows if the children actually benefit. This raises another question--since everyone wants to “help the children,” why doesn’t the federal government base funding on child well-being instead?

JOHN SMITH

Beverly Hills