Think Progress Missouri lawmaker on child hunger: Hunger can be a positive motivator.
Cynthia Davis, of course. won the Worst Person in the World award this week:
YouTube - Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person in The World" - State Rep. Cynthia Davis
Missouri lawmaker on child hunger: Hunger can be a positive motivator.
In her June newsletter, State Rep. Cynthia Davis (R-MO) provided several commentaries to a press release from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on a summer food program. The program provides food during the summer for thousands of low-income Missouri children who rely on the school cafeteria for free or reduced-price meals during the regular school year. Davis, who serves as the chairwoman of the Missouri House Special Standing Committee on Children and Families, questioned whether the program is warranted, and extolled the hidden benefits of child hunger:
Whos buying dinner? Who is getting paid to serve the meal? Churches and other non-profits can do this at no cost to the taxpayer if it is warranted. [...] Bigger governmental programs take away our connectedness to the human family, our brotherhood and our need for one another. ...Cant they get a job during the summer by the time they are 16? Hunger can be a positive motivator. What is wrong with the idea of getting a job so you can get better meals? Tip: If you work for McDonalds, they will feed you for free during your break. [...] It really is all about increasing government spending, which means an increase in taxes for us to buy more free lunches and breakfasts.
A report by Feeding America found that one in five Missouri children currently lives with hunger...most of the summer feeding program sites are actually hosted by churches and that the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fed 3.7 million meals at a total cost of less than $9.5 million last summer a pretty good use of federal money. (HT: DailyKos diarist Dem Beans)
Cynthia Davis, of course. won the Worst Person in the World award this week:
YouTube - Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person in The World" - State Rep. Cynthia Davis