The Moral Imperative of Providing Free School Meals to All Students

Let's examine why providing free school meals to all students is a moral imperative. Should an allegedly Christian nation allow innocent children to go hungry? What would Jesus do (WJWD)? Is it better for the future of society to teach children that society doesn't care about them, thereby giving them no reason to be different?

Children are the future, and investing in them is essential. Would combating malnutrition help these children develop and positively affect their ability to learn? It's hard to concentrate when you're hungry. Are there good reasons for the allegedly best nation on the planet not to figure out how to provide free meals at school? This is basic stuff.

The Broader Impact

Providing healthy food and sufficient calories to every child, irrespective of their socio-economic status, is crucial for their academic success. Students need proper nutrition to concentrate and perform well. Just as we view basic research as an investment for the future, school meals are a social responsibility that benefits society in the long run.

Leonard Cohen said, "There is no such thing as lost time. There is only a direct and unconscious trust in the ultimate relevance of all that you have experienced."

Cost-Effectiveness and Fiscal Responsibility

For society as a whole, providing free school meals is the most cost-effective approach:

A school meal is cheaper than dealing with the consequences of childhood obesity and long-term productivity losses stemming from poor nutrition and unhealthy habits learned in childhood.

Every nation is an investor, and not just in stocks, indices, or hedge funds. Mention investing in children, and the discussions pivot to cutting costs and affordability. But investing in children through free school meals actually hedges against later losses, resulting in a more productive workforce in the following decade.

The Economic Argument

The argument in favor of free school meals is both moral and economic:

A moderate libertarian might argue that if it works, then it works, and it does work. Providing free school meals can significantly reduce healthcare costs attributed to childhood obesity and related issues. It also ensures that children are well-nourished, which impacts their cognitive development and, consequently, their ability to learn and contribute to society.

Investing in children through proper nutrition is not just about short-term gains but about laying the foundation for a healthier, more productive society in the long run. It's a sound investment that returns dividends in terms of improved learning outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and a better-prepared workforce for the future.

So, in the end, providing free school meals to all students is not just a moral decision but an economic one. It's an investment in the future, and one that pays off in countless ways. How can we afford not to do this?