Lying candidate threatens reliability, future political opportunities, Truman State University Index

Politicians lie. It's common knowledge. Whether it be a measly fib or a far stretch from the truth, it happens all the time. Usually it is infuriating when the public realizes the lies they've been fed, but the most recent fib of Missouri Republican gubernatorial candidate David Spence is more humorous than irritating.

Spence's official biography on spenceforgov.org claimed he graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia's School of Business with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Economics in 1981. Spence had omitted an important word from his education description — "home." That's right, Spence's degree actually was in home economics — an entirely different field. In fact, he did not attend the School of Business, because he did not have the grades to make the cut, according to abcnews.go.com.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch was the first to call this to Spence's attention last week, and his online biography now includes the changes, stating, "After high school, Dave attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where he majored in family economics and management (also known as consumer economics) and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Home Economics."

Spence has attributed this fib to simply "staff oversight that was corrected," according to ABC News. This would be an acceptable excuse had Spence not lied about the same information in a 1989 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, in which Spence first stated he got his degree in Economics and graduated from Mizzou's School of Business.

Spence shouldn't have been ashamed of his Home Economics degree in the first place. What's so wrong with polishing your skills in child development, nutrition and personal financing? It certainly helped him gain success in his bottle and jar manufacturing company, Alpha Packaging. Spence just recently stepped down from his position as president and chief executive at the plastic bottle manufacturing plant. The plant made $350,000 in annual sales — not too bad, Spence.

So my question to Spence is, why tell a tall tale about your educational past when, in actuality, your degree served you well?  I'm sure nobody would have questioned your abilities after proving yourself capable at Alpha Packaging.

Now Spence has just dug his grave with something that could have been avoided. Because of his actions, the term "liar" is being viciously tossed around throughout the political world. Just ask Caitlin Legacki, spokeswoman for the Missouri Democratic Party, who said, "It's hard to say what's more disturbing: the fact that David Spence has been lying about his academic record for more than 20 years, or that even after getting caught, Spence still hasn't corrected all of his campaign materials.  Either way, misleading voters about your academic credentials is pretty shameless," according to Missouridems.org.

Not only is his reliability being questioned, but many are unsure of whether they would want someone so self-conscious running the state. By not giving his real credentials, Spence shows voters he is ashamed of his past, and perhaps is uneasy about whether he really is qualified for Missouri Governor. I don't know about you, but I don't want anyone in charge who is not completely confident in his or her abilities.

This all might seem harsh, but politics is a dog-eat-dog business and there is a lot of pressure that comes with running for office. But because this is Spence's first time running for office, maybe he should take the hint that he might not be ready to handle this responsibility. You would think his Home Economics degree would prepare him for this, but Spence, if you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Courtesy of Truman State University Index


Our addition:

Doesn't the Home Economics candidate for Missouri Governor in 2012 look dapper in the  Chef's hat? 

"Spence shouldn't have been ashamed of his Home Economics degree in the first place. What's so wrong with polishing your skills in child development, nutrition and personal financing." Truman State University Index.


Dave Spence should be ashamed of himself to have fudged his academic credentials. Can we afford a liar to be our next Governor? How can a man worth $265,000,000 lie about his degree? 

Dave Spence, the Home Economist who lives in this $8,000,000 palace with a golf course fudged his college credentials!  He called himself economist rather home economist! Can you trust this man with Missouri Governor's Mansion? What  else is he hiding from Missouri voters?

Home Economist Spence says Don't Worry Be Happy elect me me your
Governor in 2012 although I fudged my college credentials, took $42,000,000
and benefited from it and refused to pay it back, and got busted by Ladue
police for DWI 3 AM in the morning while my wife and young children were
asleep at home. Spence needs to go back to his $8,000,000 mansion and
bake yummy cakes and cookies for his family and wealthy friends. The man
is connected with Wall Street.


We think Dave Spence is not forthcoming! What else is he hiding? We are
scrutinizing him. 


Millionaire Home Economist Spence needs to make public his taxes for the
last 5 years. We bet he paid very little or used loopholes to escape paying taxes?
Come clean Mr. Spence!