[VowJoyday]

Too capitalistic? Too religious? Too *gasp* White?

What a couple of elitist idiots.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-children.html

Barack Obama does not give birthday presents to children

Senator Barack Obama's Republican critics accuse of him of profligate public spending plans, but at home the Democratic presidential candidate adopts a frugal policy with his two young daughters.

By Alex Spillius in Washington
Published: 6:57PM BST 25 Jul 2008

In a magazine interview Obama and his wife Michelle revealed that one of their steadfast house rules is not giving Christmas or birthday presents to Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven.

The couple explained that they spend "hundreds" on birthday slumber parties and want to "teach some limits". Santa Claus is still permitted to deliver seasonal gifts however.

The girls are also given an allowance of just $1 (50p) a week for performing household chores, according to People magazine. Those chores include making their own bed, setting and clearing the dinner table and putting themselves to bed by 8.30pm.

On the campaign trail, Mr Obama has often spoken of the need for Americans to be "better parents" who aren't afraid to "turn off the TV".

He has also exhorted black males to be more responsible fathers.

Though he has been away "98 per cent of the time", Mr Obama told People that before the campaign he did "the house and car repairs, the grocery shopping" and "sometimes the laundry".

His two daughters keep up the sort of busy schedule that any over-reaching parent would recognize: football, dance and drama for the eldest and gymnastics and tap dancing for the youngest, with daily piano practice for both.

[Pszinygv]

Except that's not what the People article says, or what the Obama's said. Here's the original 2008 article: http://www.people.com/people/article...214569,00.html

[BipiewExifese]

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal for the girls. Big birthday parties at the White House, pizza and movie outings, tons of presents from their friends, and then at Christmas, more presents and all the holiday celebrations that happen around the White House.

Kudos to the Obamas for creating some structure and discipline in an environment that could turn into a bubble of ivory-tower entitlement.

[CedssypeEdids]

Too capitalistic? Too religious? Too *gasp* White?

What a couple of elitist idiots.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-children.html

What the hell does race have to do with this? Isn't there anything you don't make a racial issue, Regis?

[Aaron757]

Too this, too that... Maybe we should have a you're too stupid to post here rule... Buh-bye, Reg.

[BliliBoopsy]

I have a friend who also does not EVER give birthday gifts to her children. Her feeling is that they get enough gifts from friends and other family. While I personally find that odd, I don't think it's any of my business how she deals with her own children, as long as they're not being abused or neglected.

What's wrong with raising our children in a way that they don't feel entitled to whatever they want, whenever they want it?

[chuviskkk]

You left out a critical detail, Pinky. Is your friend White?

The answer to your question is there's nothing wrong with raising children so that they don't feel entitled. Unless, of course, you live in Regis' world in which case that makes you an elitist.

[yWleIJm4]

Not that it matters, but yes, she is. So much for the theory.