Far-right propagandist Ben Shapiro recently denounced school lunch programs as being ineffective in dealing with the issue of child hunger in the United States. It was a profoundly ignorant statement. No child should go hungry in the United States of America in 2023. When they do, the results are disastrous.
Elvis singing “The Ghetto” has always touched my heart. As a child in the 1950’s my mentally ill mother rarely thought to feed me, Dad in military, not home. Got to Kindergarten 15 pounds underweight age 5, only my knees were round. The Chicago Public School fed me breakfast and lunch, gave me speech therapy (I was an unintelligible stutterer), took me to doctor when I needed it and educated me. I am now a retired Critical Care Nurse (ICU/CCU). I think I was a good investment. Think of all the talent, intelligence, and creativity we loose by not investing in all of our children. Yes, they are our children and the future for out country. You cannot think when you are hungry. You cannot learn when your stomach is hurting from hunger.
If we are this rich country, why is there a single child hungry? There is no acceptable excuse.
I heard on a radio program that Shapiro recommended contacting Child Protective Services if someone knows of a child whose nutritional needs are not being met at at home. Isn’t there already a shortage of foster families? Where would all of these children go? The more we can support low income families with SNAP or other programs to provide nutritious foods for families, the better the outcomes for the children.
America, words seem to have no bearing/meaning on anything, anyone, anymore. It's been the same stupid issues forever etched in our collective lives moving from generation to generation. Hungry humans in America other than those fasting should never be a thing. This world is a mess, a complete and udder mess.
Bless you Steve, one of the very few voices of reason, compassion, thoughtfulness, etc. etc. etc..
"The child needs a helping hand." There is nothing more important. Thank You Steve Schmidt and Elvis Presley for being a Voice for the Children. Food is Love. Our Children need Love.
I loved Elvis Presley. He had his own demons to fight, but I believe he was one of the kindest souls to have walked among many of us. His kindness of Spirit came through in much of his singing and many of his charitable actions.
Roughly two-thirds of adult Americans claim to be Christians. That said, here is what one quote from the Bible - and Jesus Christ - says about kids in the ghetto:
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
- Mathew 25: 36-40
I believe Elvis Presley went to his grave having lived this verse and is now living in eternity among the angels.
I remember it well. I grew up listening to Elvis, no matter what he sung you felt it. Like Kelly Clarkson today. More Republicans should listen to this one.
What a lovely and moving version of this beautiful song. Thank you for posting it. Mac Davis was the songwriter, and wow. He knocked it out of the ballpark with this one.
Elvis singing “The Ghetto” has always touched my heart. As a child in the 1950’s my mentally ill mother rarely thought to feed me, Dad in military, not home. Got to Kindergarten 15 pounds underweight age 5, only my knees were round. The Chicago Public School fed me breakfast and lunch, gave me speech therapy (I was an unintelligible stutterer), took me to doctor when I needed it and educated me. I am now a retired Critical Care Nurse (ICU/CCU). I think I was a good investment. Think of all the talent, intelligence, and creativity we loose by not investing in all of our children. Yes, they are our children and the future for out country. You cannot think when you are hungry. You cannot learn when your stomach is hurting from hunger.
If we are this rich country, why is there a single child hungry? There is no acceptable excuse.
I heard on a radio program that Shapiro recommended contacting Child Protective Services if someone knows of a child whose nutritional needs are not being met at at home. Isn’t there already a shortage of foster families? Where would all of these children go? The more we can support low income families with SNAP or other programs to provide nutritious foods for families, the better the outcomes for the children.
Ben Shapiro is an embarrassment to my faith. Ditto Stephen Miller.
If it does not take that much money to feed a child why not do it to make sure they grow and learn properly?
Never was an Elvis fan, but I always loved that song. And it is the perfect rebuttal to Shapiro’s idiocy.
How can there be so many stupid and I’ll-informed people in a country like ours. Our education system stinks. That’s how. Thx Steve.
America, words seem to have no bearing/meaning on anything, anyone, anymore. It's been the same stupid issues forever etched in our collective lives moving from generation to generation. Hungry humans in America other than those fasting should never be a thing. This world is a mess, a complete and udder mess.
Bless you Steve, one of the very few voices of reason, compassion, thoughtfulness, etc. etc. etc..
Can't listen to this without choking up. Wonderful song by one of the all time greats.
"The child needs a helping hand." There is nothing more important. Thank You Steve Schmidt and Elvis Presley for being a Voice for the Children. Food is Love. Our Children need Love.
Just finished the PBS documentary on Elvis. He would know about child hunger. 😢
Thanks for sharing, Steve
I remember hearing this song "way back when", and being surprised that Elvis was so socially aware. It was a very nice revelation.
Thank you Steve, for this and for all that do. Your writings are a lifeline for a drowning world.
I loved Elvis Presley. He had his own demons to fight, but I believe he was one of the kindest souls to have walked among many of us. His kindness of Spirit came through in much of his singing and many of his charitable actions.
Roughly two-thirds of adult Americans claim to be Christians. That said, here is what one quote from the Bible - and Jesus Christ - says about kids in the ghetto:
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
- Mathew 25: 36-40
I believe Elvis Presley went to his grave having lived this verse and is now living in eternity among the angels.
I remember it well. I grew up listening to Elvis, no matter what he sung you felt it. Like Kelly Clarkson today. More Republicans should listen to this one.
I’m thinking Ben has never lived in poverty or has taken the time to understand poverty.
Don’t be like Ben.
What a lovely and moving version of this beautiful song. Thank you for posting it. Mac Davis was the songwriter, and wow. He knocked it out of the ballpark with this one.