Rep. Jack Kingston (R. GA) I guess is trying to paint himself as the biggest asshole in the GOP U.S. Senate primary to succeed retiring Senator Saxby Chambliss (R. GA) this year:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) warned that there's "no such thing as free lunch" for school children in Georgia, but he seems to have enjoyed a few.
In December Kingston, who is against a federal lunch program, also argued that poor students should sweep floors in exchange for lunch.
"But one of the things I’ve talked to the secretary of agriculture about: Why don’t you have the kids pay a dime, pay a nickel to instill in them that there is, in fact, no such thing as a free lunch? Or maybe sweep the floor of the cafeteria -- and yes, I understand that that would be an administrative problem, and I understand that it would probably lose you money," Kingston said. "But think what we would gain as a society in getting people —getting the myth out of their head that there is such a thing as a free lunch." - TPM, 1/10/14
Kingston's one to talk because he knows all about free lunches:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Weeks after Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) made headlines for suggesting low-income students sweep cafeteria floors to learn there's "no such thing as free lunch," Savannah TV station WSAV 3 looked at the "free lunches" Kingston himself has received as a member of Congress.
According to the station's investigation, Kingston and his staff have expensed $4,182 worth of "meals for business purposes," and recorded $4,289.33 in free meals from third-party interest groups, including the Congressional Institute and the Georgia Bankers Association.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Kingston has traveled to four continents, racking up $24,313 in per diem allowances. While the allowances were allotted for more than just lunch money, midday meals were included.
When WSAV 3 asked Kingston whether he believes members of Congress "work hard," the congressman "defended his work ethic," saying he works 60 hours to 70 hours a week.
"That's what representative democracy is about, is members going to Washington, but coming home and answering the tough questions," Kingston told the station.
Beyond taxpayer dollars, Kingston has enjoyed many free meals on the campaign trail. WSAV 3 reported $145,391.26 in expensed meals and catering for campaign events, $26,066.45 of which was charged at the Republican Club of Capitol Hill, an exclusive, members only venue. - Huffington Post, 1/10/14
The worst part was Kingston's response:
http://politics.blog.ajc.com/...
The report concludes by catching up with Kingston at a noon campaign event. “Isn’t this a free lunch?” the congressman is asked.
Here’s how Kingston, who recently allowed himself to be photographed behind a vacuum cleaner, chose to reply:
“This is what we need in America: We need workfare over welfare. I learned a lot when I was 14 and 15 years old, doing work inside and outside the household. And as a result, I grew up with a good work ethic. It’s hard in today’s society to have a discussion where you want to challenge the status quo because of the ‘I got you’ politics.” - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1/10/14
Again, what an asshole. Put he's just one in a crowded GOP primary. But guys like Kingston are making this race more and more like our best pick up opportunity for Michelle Nunn (D. GA) and the Democrats. If you would like to get involved with or donate to Nunn's campaign, you can do so here:
http://www.michellenunn.com/