CNN reports "Judge Orders Couple Not to Have Children".   Amazing.

Monroe County Family Court Judge Marilyn O'Connor ruled March 31 that both parents "should not have yet another child which must be cared for at public expense."

"The facts of this case and the reality of parenthood cry out for family planning education," she ruled.  "This court believes the constitutional right to have children is overcome when society must bear the financial and everyday burden of care."  [ emphasis added ]

When I was working on Unnatural Selection, I ruled out this sort of government action as politically impossible.

Attorney Chris Affronti, who chairs the family law section of the Monroe County Bar Association, said he's not sure how the ruling could be enforced.   "I think what the judge is trying to do is kind of have a wake-up call for society," he said.

Wake up call?   Let's hope so.   I know people will comment that one of this couple's children could be the next Mozart, but let's be realistic; isn't it statistically far more likely that this couple's children will end up just like them, having lots of kids which have to be raised by society...