Think you can handle a bit more compassionate conservatism? Then welcome to the Department of Agriculture! Eric Bost, the department's undersecretary for food and nutrition programs, was quoted a couple of weeks ago as saying he was skeptical of claims that food needs among the nation's poor were increasing.

"There's a bump, but how much of that is due to people taking the easy way out? I don't know."

Yes, whenever I want to take the easy way out, I sleep in my car, budget for one meal a day for my family and receive no health care unless I travel almost a hundred miles and wait in line for eight hours. Just think--you, too, can get free cheese and canned goods if you play your cards right.