Viewpoints: Just Say ‘No!’ Is It That Hard?

We recently did a story on the Center for Science in the Public suing McDonald’s for putting toys in Happy Meals. The group claims the restaurant chain sells the toys to kids, who are too young to understand marketing practices.

My response … what? You can’t legislate good parenting and you can’t sue to change spending habits. Not to mention most kids who are buying those meals are using mommy or daddy’s money. So, even if children are too young to understand marketing practices, the parents who are giving them the money AREN’T.

I thought in America we have ‘freedom of choice’ and our economy is based on capitalism. If there is demand, and you can supply it, then you get to benefit.

I think one of our e-mailer’s, Joseph, summed it up perfectly:

“I’m sorry. I was unaware that PARENTING your children and saying ‘no’ had been made illegal. Next, the schools will be asked to take the role of parents as well. Oh, wait. They already have. Parents need to parent and quit being lazy.”

Joseph, I couldn’t agree more.