Ms. Riley - Just how do you know her statements are “inaccurate.” How much PERSONAL experience do you have on this subject? I have plenty and a lot of what she says is true.

I don’t have time to go into lengthy post, but I can tell you there is a very large number of children in the schools my children attend receiving free lunches who do not qualify. It is really quite simple to get. You fill out a form stating your income, that the school district doesn’t verify, and viola! I could get it for my kids too, by listing just my salary as opposed to combined (as alot of people do). It sure would be easier for me not to make my kids breakfast and lunch and it would certainly save me some money, but I have integrity and feel I should do my job as a parent and refrain from stealing from taxpayers.

The editorialists at the Post-Dispatch are so, so naive as to the way things REALLY work.

This was posted on another thread by Steven Jackson, and he say’s it as well as anyone:

-”I have worked with Cynthia Davis and I am as far from a fan of hers as one can get. She is one of the most annoying, ignorant, imbecilic legislators I have ever had the displeasure to be around.

But even a stopped clock is right a couple of times a day and this is a case where she gets it close to correct. Why is the state spending money to provide lunches and food for kids at schools and in the summer.

I could care less who “qualifies” as I have also read the qualifications for SCHIP and Medicaid and other government programs that give away the farm to people who COULD afford it but choose not to.

She is right when she says it is funny that these so called working poor families have enough money for TVs, cable or satellite, cell phones, nice clothes, cars, jewelry, video games, etc yet they cant feed their kids.

NEW FLASH LIBERALS: If there is a way to game to system, people will. I worked with people who made good money working for the state, great benefits. Yet this person would dress shabby on the weekend and hit up the local foodbanks so they didnt have to spend as much as the grocery story. Yet they had money for 2 cell phones, cable tv, xbox, wii, PS3 and a yearly vacation to an island. People will take advantage.

Does anyone deny there are poor kids not getting enough to eat? NO of course not. But let’s be realistic and see that a vast majority of these kids are not starving like kids in Africa or South Ameria. The majority are kids of lazy parents who are gaming the system because they can.

But this is the standard liberal M.O. when you do not like the idea or if the idea makes too much sense do not attack the idea you attack the person.

Cynthia is a moron plain and simple. But this time she at least got it right in that it needs to be looked at.”

-Thank you Steven Jackson

“So, is Cynthia Davis worthy of Olbermann’s World’s Worst Person title?”

Sure she is, since the BDU is a no talent partisan hack (like the “editorial staff”) and no thinking person gives a rats butt what he says when he climbs out of his bathtub, he can say whatever he wants to his 12 viewers, and the Post Disgrace can repeat it enough so viewship or readership will break 100 people.

It is sad that the Post Disgrace is so low on talent that they have to stoop to mentioning BDU three times in one week.

Oh gawd, thinking anything Olbermann says/does is worthy of mentioning…

Forgot — Jamie is really, really into ThinkProgress, Kos, etc.

`I don’t have time to go into (sic) lengthy post….’ Convenient, FTPD. You can save face and also not do the work, all in one broad swoop. Please, detail your personal experience and how this makes you `not’ naive. Inquiring minds want to know.

One thing that jumps out of the USDA report is the strong correlation between childhood hunger and being part of a “family” with a single parent. Maybe the “worst person in the world” could be indentfied by Keith Uberloon as the parent who abandon’s his/her family.

It’s also interesting that for all the hue and cry about hunger in America, another leading indicator of poverty is childhood obesity.

Now, regarding the question asked at the end of the piece, I would say `no.’ I’d put Davis fourth, behind Kim Jong-il, Tokyo Rush, and then our state’s lewdtenant governor, Peter Kinder.

“You can save face and also not do the work…”
…just like EJ Rotert on so many occasions.

Like when we’re given deep thoughts such as:
“Davis fourth, behind Kim Jong-il, Tokyo Rush, and then our state’s lewdtenant governor, Peter Kinder.”

Likewise, hunger for professional relevance can motivate a vapid, suburbanite, third-string “journalist” to regurgitate every other loopy item shes sees in the kook-left media.

Go back to your seat on the bench, Jamie. The one next to Eddie.

How many people actually watch MSNBC? My cable company doesn’t even carry it. So, I’m not surprised the editorial hacks at the PD trot him out as some kind of expert. Olbermann was terrible as a reader on ESPN. Now he’s supposed to be some kind of left-wing extremist pundit. That’s laughable. If that’s the best the extremists on the left can do, they are a sorry lot. I’m sure the PD editorial hacks piled on thinking to ride on his coattails. But, if nobody watches him, what coattails does he have. I’d like to see the ratings of his so-called show. I’m sure they are just as laughable as he is.

Being named the worst person in the world by the dumbest person in the world really isn’t that big a deal.

Being called the dumbest person in the world by a blogger is from the department of redundancy department.

Yep! She’s the worst!

“Let them starve, and we’ll thus be rid of the excess population!”

E. Scrooge

Safer than St. Louis… Are you ticked because your seat was taken on the short school bus today?

You know, I have to say with that last post I broke my own rule. I’ve always believed that something someone can help about themselves, or change, is fair game for humor. In contrast, something that someone is born with and can’t change is off limits. That wasn’t right for me to use the mentally-challenged as fodder for a joke against Safer than St. Louis. Sorry.

My father died when I was four, and my mother was a single mom. I can tell you from experience that hunger does not motivate, it just makes you sick. You can not work, think, or even plan when you are hungry. Some one needs to take her government and lobbyist provided lunches away from her in Jefferson City for a week and find out how motivated she is. Let her live on less than $2.00 a day for food, with no food from any lobbyist. See how she feels.

Julio–being called redundant for being a blogger by a liberal blogger is even worse. Go back to the schoolyard. Paul Simon is waiting for you.

Mr. Olbermann is irrelevant. Stop and consider for a moment that each of these state politicians has a public relations person by their side. Ms. Davis obviously needs to listen to hers. Her statement, possibly misconstrued, not really expounded upon, exhibits a political indifference to the problems of the poor and ill fed not seen since Attorney General Ed Meese. I suppose hunger could be a positive motivator… so could torture. This is like telling a paraplegic to stand on his own two feet. Ms. Davis, like Marie Antoinette, needs to work on her delivery.

What is that sound I hear? More Republican whining…

Hey, waddya expect for the CWOP–Crap Weasel Old Party!

http://dangerousintersection.org/2009/04/27/republicans-are-crap-weasels/

YES!She, except deserved it five days this week…instead of three.

What a heartless and mean dimwit…and a huge embarrassment for Missouri.

Who the hell is Keith Oberman to speak on this subject anyway? Thought he commented on baseball…and not very good at that either. Kind of a giant leap from baseball clown to social programs isn’t it? Ignore is the operative word.

What about the representative’s comments was factually incorrect?

How are the State of Illinois and the State of California doing with their initiatives to give everyone free food, housing and healthcare?

It seems that they now have to cut public safety, police and parks in a desperate effort to balance the budget. Will this happen to our national government as well? Do we have an unlimited balance on the national credit card?

My family can barely afford our own food, healthcare and housing - how many other families are we supposed to support? One bad family can create a load that 10 families cannot pull.

Telling people that government has the resources to give them everything they need is a lie that hurts the very people that Liberals pretend to care about.

the state is not doing its job to qualify recipients of food stamps or SNAP, period!
If payments are made to single parents or families that have living incomes but no fringe lifestyle benefits, I think this is fine. Perhaps only supplement is needed rather than the full amount.
If payments are made to single parents or families that have $150+/month cell phones with internet and bluetooth etc., $100+/month cable with sports packages and movie channels etc., expensive cars, take great vacations, go to the movies and dine out frequently, etc…..then no, they should not be receiving payments until the services they buy are minimized to the basics; this means trimming the lifestyle fat. It makes no sense.
Give the money to those that honestly qualify, do the work and make recipients list their expenses. If they possess expensive services, deny payments.
Monitor the recipients. If they later add back or buy expensive services, stop payments. I would love to have the latest and greatest, the most expensive services, toys and entertainment but I must live within my means.
Bottom line it is the States responsibility to do their job correctly by qualifying and spot re-qualifying recipients of SNAP and food stamps. People will seek out and take the money if it is easy to fleece the state to have free or better lifestyle and services.

Let’s calm down folks.Put a cold towel to your heads and start with a basic proposition——-What is the purpose of government in an organized society???

Can’t say that I ever watched Olbermann, but I had to give up watching Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, etc. Rather stick to the normal news and form my own opinions, thank you very much!
Ben4u, I’ll take a stab at it: provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare; in short, provide services that people can not provide for themselves. Pretty simple answer, but then again, I’m a pretty simple sort!

Davis has “hers” let the rest eat cake!!!
In the Faux news universe, and to their ilk, “ratings” = integrity and intelligence…
Nice column Ms. Reilly.

Wonder if we will be hearing about John Edwards’ sex tape on BDU’s evening rant or Jamie’s “editorial” page?

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/06/28/2009-06-28_aides_tale_of_john_edwards_sex_tape.html

My money says two days after hell freezes over on both counts.

Well, if you’re known by the enemies you make, then I guess she must be on the right path. Olbermann is a blow hard.

Jamie - I can’t believe you are giving this guy credit by writing an article about this clown. Olberman is a rude, hateful, piece of you know what. The only reason you are giving him attention is because you agree with him and his left-wing garbage. Had this been Limbaugh or Hannity, you would have immediately defended the politician they were attacking and then complained about how talk radio and cable news opinioites are causing America to be more divided. You’re biased colors are showing through. Btw…it’s not the government’s duty to provide food to people. WHEN ARE YOU LIBERALS GOING TO UNDERSTAND THAT!!!!!!

I doubt you’ll have the courage to respond and defend you ridiculous article.

I see the PD is taking it’s marching orders from the Huffington Post, dailykos and other lefty machines…again (not really a big surprise).

Now, Now, to all those good christians out there: Remember “What would Jesus do?” in feeding hungry children. Just don’t say it, live it. I imagine this representative cloaks herself in faith.

Worst President Ever… You’re hilariously misinformed. People’s rightful sustenance has been stolen from them in the form of private property in land. No one made the land — it was given to everyone. Now, whether that came to be via God or just chance can be debated until the cows come home. What gives someone the moral and legal right to possess something is that they made the item in question (through their labor, talent, and/or knowledge) or that they purchased the item from someone else who did so, either by currency or trade of labor. Once again — and please try to think about this, but don’t go so far as to scorch any hairs on your head — NO ONE MADE THE LAND. The wealth of land (increased valuation) in the main comes from population growth and the bustling community that results from it. Therefore, much of what the general population contributes that increases the value of that land has been taken from it; the wealth is concentrated in the hands of the supposed “landowner.” From the start, private property in land was theft. Nearly all of it was established either through bloodshed or threatened bloodshed, if it happened that someone tried to take it from the person who first laid claim to it. Since all man-made items come from the land or natural resources in some manner (i.e., water, lumber, crude oil, air, various other gases and elements) — and though distortive techniques may sometimes be used to produce them, such as intensely compressing and/or heating an element or elements to make something not available through the natural world — all man-made items have a history of bloodshed behind them, including this very computer I’m typing on right now. Remember the movie “2001?” Do you remember when the one man-ape pummeled the other ape to death with the bone of the tapir, to establish possession of the watering hole? Symbolically, that act was the institution of private property in land. And our legal system has protected the supposed “right” of self-centered apes to own private property in land to this day.

Correction: “…all man-made items have a history of `violence’ behind them, including this very computer I’m typing on right now.”

FTPD: I’ll just note on of a few “inaccuaracies”. Ms. Davis contends that Churches can handle the giving of food just fine. What Ms. Davis somehow hasn’t learned yet even as a Chairperson over a committee that deals with these issues is that Churches and non-profits are the ones asking for more money to fund their programs. YOu don’t go down to City Hall to get your free meal, you go to your local Church most of the time and surprise, surprise churh-goers wallets are not as fat and generous as they used to be.

And all of you people with your brother’s cousins’ room-mate hearsay stories….let’s see some names. My gosh, if half of your school is fraudulently getting reduced or free meals and you’re not coming forward you are just as much a part of the problem.

I expect all of you to request of your pastor that they no longer except govt money to help the less fortunate and be sure to share with them whatever you’ve wrote here today.

I hope you all enjoy your lunch.

Keith Olbermann is a liar and a hater. All of youthat scream daily about Ruch and Hannity you have the mirror twin in Keith Olbermann.

Can our wonderfully objective moderator please delete EJ’s post for being off topic?

Mike… My post relates to WPE’s post. The post made reference to food. I made reference to the fruit of people’s labor, the bounty of the land and natural world. If you’ve got a problem with the post, argue against it. Don’t choose the lazy way out.

To sum up: WPE’s statement, `Btw…it’s not the government’s duty to provide food to people,’ is not entirely true. Food and the other bounties of the land have been stolen from the general community through the institution of private property in land. No one should own the land; they should pay a user’s fee in the form of a single-tax system.

Hogan - here is a riddle for you:

John Edwards + one video photographer = sex video

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/06/28/2009-06-28_aides_tale_of_john_edwards_sex_tape.html

Oh I get it now…so under your system, all the people that don’t feel like working to pay for their own food and their children’s food, can now rent a piece of the earth to grow their own food, thus becoming self-sufficient rather than gov’t entitled. That’s a great idea.

And that’s such a rational thought and a realistic alterative to the gov’t paying for everyone’s food that Jamie shouldn’t delete it for being off topic.

As Kevin Nealon said in Happy Gilmore, “Psycho.”

I do not know if Ms Davis is worth all of the attention. However, as head of a committee overseeing programs that are designed to work with various charitable and religious agencies to help those who are starving, she is responsible to the voters of the state.

Thus far, her “explanations” have been less than stellar.

First, Keith Olbermann was one of the few and possibly the first to report on the real state of the union under George and Dickie. Second, this idiot Davis is on the same plane as Bachmann, only she’s a US Republican Representative. Let’s see, hunger can be a motivating factor? Very Dick Chaney. I guess you have to have money to contribute to her campaign fund to be represented, and obviously the poor aren’t motivated enough.

Wow Jamie, great story. Who cares what Olberman says and thinks as it’s mostly garbage. Jamie, your bias just barely shows through with this story. Now stop writing slanted stories and tend to your dogs doo doo.

Mike… If you want to understand it in more depth, it’s the single-tax system of Henry George, as outlined in the book “Progress and Poverty.” If you don’t have the wind to go the distance with the entire book (it’s not for everyone), you can find abridged versions of George’s proposal through various websites, including the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation at http://www.schalkenbach.org.

stl12… You do know this is the Op-Ed section of the site, right? Does the difference between opinion and straight news need to be explained to you? It’s a simple concept, really.

Keith Olberman is nothing but a bigmouth liberal who knows nothing about the world around him. He is one of the worst people to breath the same air I do.

And now we hear from one of the biggest crybaby libs in EJ Rotert who insists Bush stole two election. Rotert, there is an old saying EITHER PUT UP OR SHUT UP. Either sshow evidence Bush stole two elections or shut the hell up for change you damn lib. I am tired of you people making such accusations without any evidence to back up your ridiculous claims. Shut up already.

EJ, don’t really care that this is the Op-Ed section. It’s a news story, especially if Olberman is covering it. Please, give your fingers and brain a rest, they’re begging you, really.

stl12… Are you for real? Please tell me you’re kidding. Both Olbermann’s original comments and this piece are opinion pieces. Comprende?

jmp… Your heated response tells me loads. Thank ya’, buddy.

Also, stl12… Do you recall the two sentences at the beginning of this piece? They are:

“Thanks, in part, to a recent Post-Dispatch editorial, Missouri state Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O’Fallon, was the subject of Keith Olbermann’s scorn this week on his “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” show on MSNBC. In fact, he named her the World’s Worst Person – twice.”

Re-read: `editorial.’ Is that clear enough, or do you need a definition for editorial presented as well? In addition, Olbermann’s piece “World’s Worst Person” is clearly presented by Olbermann as opinion. What is wrong with you people? I’m beginning to believe the P-D should offer a free Journalism 101 class to all who post on this website, just to clear up the mass confusion.

@uncommon sense: I’d like to see where in Illinois everyone is guaranteed free food, housing and health care. Hyperbole does not advance an argument.

@mickey: Recipients of ‘generous social welfare benefits’ qualify based on income, not expenditures. In many cases, including SNAP, the value of a car is counted as an asset. There are significant checks in place to prevent recipient fraud; the biggest fraud in the ‘generous social welfare’ we provide is Medicaid and Medicare provider fraud.

@worst president ever: I highlighted this because we wrote about it. It was picked up by dailykos and then think progress. i do look at think progress about once or twice a week; I rarely (maybe three times a year) look at dailykos. I am biased against anyone who would deny poor children meals in the summer (or any time).

As for the readers who questioned the inappropriate or inaccurate
statements, here are a few:

Most poor families don’t waste money on Twinkies; this is an inappropriate generalization that can’t be proven or unproven.

She asks who decides what is a nutritious meal. It’s not who decides what is nutritious, it is whether a meal is available. In many cases, it’s not.

Most parents absolutely love caring for their children, even in an economic downturn; unfortunately, that gets more difficult when a (or the) parent has been laid off and there is not enough money to buy enough food.

As has been said, churches and other non-profits are offering the meals.

She asked, “Who created a new rule that says government must make up for any lack at home?” Funding a lunch program for low-income children is not making up for “any lack” at home. It is providing a basic necessity of life to poor children.

And, finally, in this economy, with unemployment in the double-digits in some areas, it is difficult for adults and teenagers to find jobs. Also, McDonald’s usually doesn’t provide free meals for employees (reduced-price, yes; free, no.)

And, finally, FTPD, I have more experience than you probably care to know. I was reared in a working-class family. I worked at a grocery store while in college, and probably saw more food stamps and the families who use them than most of the commenters here. I was a single parent for the first five years of my daughter’s life (although I had significant help from my mother and step-father). And, until my daughter was almost 4, I made $7 an hour, drove an old car (an ‘85 Chevy I loved) and had no telephone, no cable and no Twinkies.

Great Come Back Jamie Riley! I appreciate you very much and think you do a fantastic job as an editorialist. I feel that you are fair in printing both sides and those that say otherwise are lying to themselves.

Ms. Cynthia Davis is serving her LAST term as a State Represenative. Don’t Fear Cynthia can run for Senate, Auditor, AG, even Governor. If those that live in her district (St. Charles/O’Fallon) re-elect this Woman again for another office they should be denied the right to vote in the future. What planet is Cynthia living on along with the pea-brained citizens that continue to re-elect this heartless hypocrite who is so Christian when it comes to Pro-life, but a uncaring neocon when it comes to feeding hungery children.

“HUNGER CAN BE A POSITIVE MOTIVATOR”.

The PD editorials last week printed a letter from a woman that worked at a food bank in Cynthia’s District. She hands out food to many families without and some how does not agree with Cynthia’s callous view of the hungery humans living in their district. Maybe Cynthia should get in touch with the Food Banks in her district to see how they are doing during this economic downturn.

Cynthia better say a few prayers for herself and her heartless mentality the next time she goes to Church. So consumed with Abortion but DOES NOT CARE about innocent living breathing children going to bed hungery. What a hypocrite to make such a statement while claiming to be a Faithful Christian Woman! What a crock of crap!

Can’t wait to read her response to her callous remarks!

an editor actually responging to the comments being made by average citizens. i’m actually shocked..in a good way, no less. While i’m of the firm belief that we need to vote everyone last politician in Jeff City out of office in the next elections (sorry but there isnt one worth a d***), the comment made by Ms Davis is disgusting and she should resign immediately. This is a classic case of the rule that “leadership isnt just ability, its about responsibility.” Of course in Ms Davis’ case, the lights are on but no one seems to be home!

Starving Children is the phrase that gives the left emotional orgasms. There is nothing that makes a liberal feel better than to think they are helping those starving children. The left then feels entitled to take everyone elses money to fill those hungry stomachs. First off, they dont even know if those children are starving. Never mind the fact that the parents of those starving children are using the money already given to them for drugs, alcohol, mobile phones, satellite and so on. Sorry folks but in most cases thats the truth.

The harm that is truly done when taking the path of theft of other citizens is detrimental. First off, if you give those same abusers of the money that is given to them they do not use that money for their needs. Ask the rental companies how much flat screen business they do with people who are on welfare or SSI. The numbers are unbelievable. I have a relative who has a beautiful laptop that they bought and they don’t even know how to use it except to play games. I could go on and on but what I see is the absolute abuse and frankly who could blame them. When you have liberals who live on emotion and guilt who feel it necessary to give other peoples money away for the cause of child hunger they will exploit that to no end.

The real harm that is going on is the fact that those people are denied their real right of survival because liberals dont get it. All those people know is that there will be a left wing socialist running to the rescue with someone elses money to spend. They know it and you lefties fall for it every single time.

Amazing! I know, I grew up with these people. To me, you enablers are more guilty than they are. The people who are trying to do the right thing are then taxed that much more to pay for you guilt and the round robin continues. The problem is that your way pulls more and more into that group. Your side is making the problems worse!

Jamie - I’ll be against the gov’t giving anyone food all day long. So I guess you’re biased against me. Why can’t the parents of “poor children” be responsible and care for their families? And the gov’t providing that is making up for a “lack of” something at home. Don’t kid yourself…most people in poverty are there because they made poor decisions, that’s A FACT!!!!! The gov’t is not the medium needed to provide for these people. Let charities and churches do that….they do it better than the gov’t ever could anyway.

I’ll be voting for Cynthia when she’s up for reelection because she stands up for the way America used to be, prior to the bleeding heart liberals that have taken over the press and gov’t.

Jamie - a one line ham-fisted retort? No wonder you are a fan of Ubermann. Perhaps you do not see how your self-righteous anger is showing through. Remove Liberal hyperbole from your paper and the remainder would fit on the back of an envelope.

The argument is this simple: government cannot afford your Liberal programs like free housing, food and healthcare.

Governments that try to give away the farm fail miserably those people who you claim to want to help. The poor are left wondering why they were promised that government would help with these things when it does not have the capacity, nor the motivation to actually make a positive impact.

Government spending is motivated by the politician’s need to be re-elected. They will help those who help them - not the poor.

Please address these facts so we can ”advance the argument”.

UberDave… Why don’t you pick up a different set of chimes? You’re a parrot. Go back to your cage, little birdie.

Uncommon sense… I’m impressed. A conservative who knows what the word `hyperbole’ means. Maybe there’s still hope for the right yet.

In her Capitol Report Cynthia Davis stated “While I have not seen this as a problem in my district, it is entirely possible that this program is designed to address problems that exist in other parts of Missouri.”, but the sad thing is that less than 2 miles from her home and business, Back to Basics Christian Bookstore an elementary school (Dardenne Elementary) in her 19th district 37% of the students qualify for the Free Lunch program (NSLP), so not only does Ms Davis not understand the needs of the children in our state she doesn’t understand the needs of the children in her own district.

It outrageous for Ms. Davis to shame Missouri parents for needing help feeding their children, when the states unemployment rate is up to 9.0% up from 5.8% in 2008. Ms Davis owes all of the hungry children in our state and her district a public apology, when she receives an $87.00 per day per diem during the legislative session on the tax payer’s dime, and I would much rather pay for the $3.00 lunch so that children of the working-poor parents can have a nutritious lunch than for Ms Davis to eat on my dime.

Ms. Davis needs to do the right thing and step down from her committee: The Special Standing Committee on Children and Families, because Ms Davis’s heartless comments on the hungry children in our state shows that she has no business being the Chairman or a member of any such committee. If she will not do it on her own House Speaker Rep. Ron Richard needs to take her off.

“I am biased against anyone who would deny poor children meals in the summer (or any time).”-jamie riley

–Except their parents…