Well, from the looks of her, she's never gone hungry, so how would she know? What a jerk. Everyone deserves to eat lunch.

People in politics are just really screwing up more than usual these days.

How mean! Personally, the free summer lunch & breakfast program at our school saved not only my parents a lot of hassle and money, but gave us kids a chance to see our friends and eat a good meal during summer months in which we may have had to fend for ourselves.

Hunger is a motivator; a negative motivator! If someone is hungry all the time they're more likely to be easily agitated and do things like oh, I don't know, steal food.

the republican party is really disappointing me lately. I'm ashamed.

I'm sorry I should clarify - representatives of the republican party are disappointing me lately. Not the entire party. They do NOT represent what the majority of the party stand for.

I took part in the free summer lunches when I was younger, so I know firsthead how important they are. Shame on this woman for not seeing that.

Besides, motivator for what? To steal food because you are so hungry? To not pay attention to schoolwork because you cannot focus because you are hungry?

Where is the sense?!

A swift kick in the ass is also a great motivator. Where might I volunteer?

I guess she means that in summer school the kids will work harder if they are hungry? it doesnt make sense....

This is the press release:

Meals will be served at designated sites to children age 18 and under. Meals also are available to individuals’ age 18 to 21 that are determined by a state or local educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who participate during the school year in an established school program for the mentally or physically disabled.

This is Missouri State Representative Cynthia Davis' response:

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.

Eh, she's insensitive, but I slightly agree that if you come from a less than fortunate family once you are of working age you should get a job to contribute to the family. That's how it worked in my family and we weren't even close to being poor. She definitely sounds like an ass though.

Yeah, good ol' republicans. That's what people vote into office.

I think children of unemployed parents should get vouchers. But if a family is just lower income yet working I'm not entirely convinced that government should be obligated to provide lunch vouchers for their children in that instance. Obviously there should be a level of income set where you'll receive benefits if you make below that amount and that's done through welfare and food stamps.

The reason I say I'm not totally convinced they need it is because I grew up in a poor family. I was the youngest of six and I grew up watching my mother and grandmother put feasts on the table for a matter of a few dollars, so it can be done. Although my siblings and I are more well off than we were then as a family we still know how to eat cheap.

I think part of the problem is choices our society is spoiled with food choice and we all to often confuse want with need when it comes to food. I'm all for paying for the (needs) of those who are temporarily unable to provide for themselves but not because they're tired of eating rice&beans and cheese sandwiches.

Food, water, shelter - basic needs. Life is difficult without having to worry about things you need to thrive and don't have. And just because somebody is working doesn't mean they are eating "better" meals. In fact, food is often one of the first things to go when you have to decide between the lights staying on, a roof over your head, or food on the table.

And what's to say that the children who can work (16+ years) AREN'T working, just because they can get a free meal? Food isn't the only reason people work, you know. How insensitive.

Cynthia Davis should see what happens when you have a great group of people trying to make it who are starving. A lot of resentment and anger. If the state can help, it should.

This lady is an idiot. Does she know how hard it is to find a part time job right now in some parts of this country?

Wow, in what universe did she think that statement would go over well?

In response to the "Get a job!" argument.

I have been looking for a summer job for three months. Visiting stores, going to job search websites, filling out applications. There are two openings right now. I have gotten one call, but they filled the position with someone else. I have 5 years of consistently working (volunteer) at the same place under my belt, and have a job with my university during the school year (one of the grittier "we hire everyone" jobs).

One of the stores that told me "we're not hiring" has a girl that looks new behind the counter, a girl that I'm pretty sure comes from a well-off family, certainly a more well-off one than mine. Other places around here, I see filthy rich kids with summer jobs, and lower-middle class unemployed kids everywhere.

Hunger isn't a motivator to get a summer job when summer jobs don't exist unless you're already rich.

This sort of nonsense is infuriating to say the least. This ignorant, stubborn woman didn't put any real thought into her statement, only her own political idealism. The reality is there will always be hungry children and we need to feed them, not turn up our noses and think they deserve nothing because they have no money.

I totally agree that people should snatch food away from her if they see her eating...

I can't believe she's part of my state's government... What a horrible woman.

I wasn't able to watch the video at work but yeah she's a tool.

My Uncle & Aunt actually run a non-profit child care center in Missouri called Grannys House. http://www.grannyshouse.org/

I'm a teacher who works in a school where over 70% of the kids get free lunches. Studies show...kids need food to concentrate!!! These kids aren't asking for free lunch to cheat the government, they just need to eat like everyone else. This woman does not deserve to be in government or any job that involves speaking in public. Shame on her.

I would throw my cat at this dumbass for saying such nonsense. When you've never had to deal with such a thing, you're lucky. But the lack of sympathy is a choice. It must be painful to watch your child go hungry.

I assume free lunches are given with the assumption that parents cannot provide their own children food? Maybe that is the problem. I don't see anything wrong with running cafeterias as for profit and some food could be healthier and grown even on school grounds. People need to think more.

I assumed her Republicanism just by the statement.

I am truly disgusted by this woman's thought process, since when does she get to decide that someone else's children are not as important as her own (if she has any), how would she feel if her family or children went hungry. I am not sure what the positive motivation is, considering these kids can not go out and get a job to help pay for their lunches, why punish innocent children. I have a new idea, lets raid this womans pantry and garnish the amount of money she spends on food, put that towards the kids free lunches and that might motivate her to have a heart!

It's not the government's job (taxpayers) to feed people. The government needs to ensure freedom so people can run businesses and give people jobs so they can feed their own children.