I live in West Virginia -- the U.S. state with the highest rate of child abuse and child maltreatment deaths in this country. Finally, this week it almost rose to the political issue that such represents. Our Legislature has been consumed with legalized gambling for economic development, taxes, funding for state fairs and festivals, and, in short, anything but a child's right to survive. Our legislators can make emotional antiabortion speeches, and then turn their back once the child is born.

A high profile political appointee (who had retired) expressed her views this week. She was quiet when in office -- maybe the guilt ate in. She blasted away and made such a stink that I'm almost optimistic of some kind of action.

Last year, I'd become so frustrated by the whole situation that it motivated me to write a novel with author proceeds donated to child abuse prevention. In my opinion, child protection is the single most pressing political issue to address because it feeds all others: racism, sexism, safe streets, trade deficits, and on and on. I believe that abused children grow up to dependency and to hold harmful values and to make poor decisions that hurt others if the maltreatment is not remediated.

I'm not just blowing my horn. I've been working in the field for over 30 years and am a Therapist in a children's mental health program. I also know that, to sell, my novel couldn't just pull heart strings about this cause.

"Rarity from the Hollow" -- the novel that's for sell by www.fatcatpress.com

One thing you can do is rein in the tort lawyers. I've read that obstetricians and pediatricians are fleeing your state because the lawyers have run up their liability insurance so far they can't afford to stay in business.

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Read this post quick before the mods delete it!

That was hot news a year ago or so, but turned out to be a false alarm. By memory, the only significant recent cases involved a doc who had falsified his resume and had botched 30 or so operations; and, one who had decided to become a narcotics retailer. Our legislative session just ended and tort reform wasn't even mentioned.

West Virginia is a rugged and rural state that has difficulty attracting and retaining professionals in some areas. This also contributes to its high rate of child maltreatment and children's deaths.

"Rarity from the Hollow"