Well, they're poor for a reason, right?

Who's 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. [...] Anyone under 18 can be eligible? Can't 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 McDonald's, 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.

I've tried to shy away from making overly generalistic statements about Republicans, but there are times when I really have to wonder if Republicans really don't stand for raw, unbridled evil smothered in balloons and ribbons. (Apologies to the late Frank Zappa). When idjits like Cynthia Davis willingly and openly demonstrate that Conservatism and compassion are in fact mutually exclusive, I can't help but wonder about the lack of humanity in the GOP. Yes, there may be an element of meritocracy inherent in the American system, but does that have to mean that we're OK with a system that takes no responsibility for the well-being of poor children? In Missouri, a state where one in five children live with varying degrees of hunger, this is no abstract concept. How can anyone with even the barest shred of humanity be OK with the idea of children going hungry? Survival of the fittest is one thing for adults, who can at least understand what they're up against. Children, though, are seldom anything more than innocent victims. Children generally do not choose to be poor. Is Davis really OK with a system that forces children to essentially fend for themselves...or risk starving?

It's one thing to follow the teachings of Ayn Rand and attempt to apply it to adults, but children deserve better. Fully 20% of Missouri's children know hunger; you'd think Davis would be appalled by that fact and take it upon herself to do what she can to make things better. Then again, she's a Republican...and "Compassionate Conservatism" is neither.

Interesting, isn't it, that someone who hasn't been forced to miss a meal in probably forever seems perfectly OK with the idea of children going hungry. This is why you never hear the words "humanity" and "compassion" used in the same sentence with "Republican".

I got mine. You can damn well get your own, kid.

Jeebus, what an egregious waste of humanity....