In a both hilarious and frightening turn of events, state representative Cynthia Davis (R-MO), of Missouri, has opposed offering subsidized lunches for poor students over the summer, on the grounds that “Hunger can be a positive motivator.”

Keep in mind that 1 in 5 kids lives with hunger in Missouri, meaning that approximately 295,580 children would be “motivated” by hunger.

Of course, the insensitive and downright immoral claims of Representative Davis immediately with a backlash: from the Democratic house to Stephen Colbert, (who called for her to be denied food in order to increase her motivation to move up in the political world). But it just goes to show how brazen politicians have become in their budget cuts on what are often highly necessary programs such as education and welfare.

A while back I wrote a story about the Arnold Schwarzenegger considering cutting the school year, among other education cutbacks. Again, the trend of slashing education funding as a way to stabilize the state budget presents itself. It is a frightening trend that is sure to continue in the future as the budget tightens even further. Although a free meal program exists in California and other states, the idea that it is a program that should be cut as opposed to… say, the pay-grade of the state legislature.

The way we treat the least fortunate is the true marker of a good state and a just government. But instead, our welfare and education programs get cut and siphoned away, bit-by-bit, and politicians make absurd excuses in the hope that it will help them cover their tracks. It’s the responsibility of us citizens to demand such social programs, even if we won’t be personally benefiting from it.

No matter how deep the budget crisis runs there should always be room for the least fortunate to stay fed and kept off the streets. Cutting the budget in important and beneficial areas while the governor still has his mansion is irresponsible and proof government that has lost its conscience. The powerful brought this crisis upon themselves and those beneath them, maybe its time they picked up the slack instead throwing it on the children.
—Will Hawk