Should Ronald McDonald be fired? Group says yes

Corporate Accountability International is collecting signatures across North America for a petition to be delivered to McDonald's shareholders meeting in May. The group wants the fast food maker to stop sending in the clown to market their products to children.

"This is about, for nearly 50 years, Ronald has been hooking our kids on unhealthy food and spurring a deadly epidemic of diet-related disease," CAI's Stacey Folsom told CTV's Canada AM from Boston Thursday.

"It's time McDonald's stopped targeting our kids with fast food marketing. He deserves a break and so do we."

The group has launched a website called RetireRonald.org, as well a poll that finds that although most Americans like the red-haired clown, many think it's time for him to turn in his oversized shoes and yellow jumpsuit.

It found that 65 per cent of Americans have a favourable view of Ronald McDonald and the company he represents; however, 52 per cent favoured stopping corporations from using cartoons and other children's characters to sell harmful products to children. A full 47 per cent specifically favoured retiring Ronald McDonald.

Fulsom says obesity rates are soaring and fast food can take much of the blame. "Our kids are sick, and the reason is what they eat," she says.

She says in the mid-1990s, her group successfully campaigned to send Joe Camel packing and helped give the Marlboro Man the boot.

"Both these icons were designed to hook our kids on (smoking), so retiring them was a significant turning point in reducing the demand for cigarettes among our kids," she says.

McDonald's has responded to the campaign by noting that Ronald McDonald is the namesake of a group of respite houses for families caring for critically ill children.

"Ronald McDonald is a beloved brand ambassador for McDonald's. He is the heart and soul of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which lends a helping hand to families in their time of need."

Fulsom says there's no question that McDonald's charities have done great things for children.

"And that work is to be commended. No one wants to see them stop doing that. But the question we're asking is why does McDonald's need to connect such honourable work to marketing to our kids.

"It's pretty ironic that the face of a charity that is helping kids get better is the same face that is so effective on hooking our kids on unhealthy food that's making them sick."

Comments are now closed for this story

JL
said

When I went to Thailand I took a picture with Ronald McDonald because he was bowing with his hands clasped instead of waving. If anything is sucking me into the McDonald's thing, its the arch, there's hope in the Arch man. Honestly, Ronald McDonald is actually like an icon, almost a piece of history, he's universal, you can't retire him. Just make the active choice to eat healthy and exercise, then you can go to Micky D's at your leisure.

Jenn
said

It's too time consuming to make healthy food for your kids because both parents work...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! Cooking homecooked meals does not take more time than it does to DRIVE TO MCDONALDS AND ORDER YOUR FOOD AND COME HOME!!! You buy your kids McDonlads because you are LAZY and SELFISH! In our house, we both work full time jobs, and always cook from scratch. Did you know that a good bowl of soup only takes 30 minutes to make FROM SCRATCH! Making Chicken broth from scrath takes 10..so quit making excuses and start taking care of your children. People like you do not deserve to have kids. Watch Food inc and you will NEVER EAT AT MCDONALDS AGAIN!!!

kestral
said

people seem to forget that marketing cartoon characters to kids WORKS. if it didn't they would have scrapped ronald decades ago. yes, parents need to step up and be parents, but in the eyes of a 3 year old, who is going to win. mom saying no, or a clown saying yes?

Leslie
said

I suppose if we are going to blame Ronald McDonald for the increase in child obesity, then can we blame the "Hamburglar" for the increase in crimes committed by todays youth? Stop the blame game.

Rob in Abbotsford
said

I cannot remember the last time I actually saw Ronald in a commercial. McDonald's uses toys linked to movies as part of their Happy Meals to lure kids. Do we outlaw this practice as well? What of toy companies like Hasbro and Nintendo who create cartoons simply to market toys (Pokemon, Transformers) that do not promote healthy lifestyles? Ultimately, this is one more example of a group of people who have little control over their own lives and need someone to point a finger at. Time to look in the mirror and point that finger at the mug looking back at you friends.

Kathleen Ruff
said

McDonald's spend millions of dollars on advertising because it works. It makes kids and their parents believe that eating at McDonald's is a fun, good thing. How could a smiling clown possible be pushing something that is harming kids? Does McDonald's spend millions to let parents know that the food the clown is pushing is harmful to health? No. Does any independent public health organization have equal funds to let parents and kids know that the food McDonald's sells is harmful to health? No. In some countries, they have passed laws that do not allow corporations to exploit kids by running advertising targeting children. In the U.S. and Canada, we put the interests of the corporations first and allow them to exploit and harm our kids.

Doug # BC
said

Ah yes.Once again the social engineers are on their soap boxes.Yes,out of shape kids are becoming an issue.But,instead of asking people to take responsibility for their lives,and the lives of their loved ones,they find it easier to point the finger of blame at someone else. Free society,my *ss.If your behaviour doesn't meet with someone else's approval,there will soon be a "society",or an "association" put together to legislate your behaviour.Either through bans,or taxes. Get over it people.YOUR life,not someone else's, is your area of responsibility.How we got to a time when self appointed do-gooders have this much power is beyond me.

SS
said

I was a kid in the 80s, and do remember some Rondal McDonald commercials, especially the Xmas ones, like the one where he gets all the kdis skating on the pond, even the little girl who was left out... aww, warm fuzzies, good times... :)I don't ever recall immediately NEEDING to have McD's just because I saw the clown. Other times, when I wanted some McD's, it was the decision of my folks, and although we went out for it once in a while, most of the time, their answer was simple- "NO". No 'negotiating', just "NO". That's it.Balance was the order of the day back then, and for many reasons, like those listed on this board, we don't have that balance anymore. But regardless, when it comes down to it, if you don't want the negative affects of eating a ton of fast food, than don't eat a ton of fast food!

Joel lepine
said

i love McDonalds its your life you can do what ever you like and you can eat what you want in life so stop this

You choose
said

Advertising does not force anyone to do anything. Like any store the reason that they are such a huge food chain is because people choose to support them.

Joe
said

At Rick in NB. I saw the commercials growing up, the signs by the road, the ads in the magazines. Did I want to pick up a cigarette? No. Why? Freedom of choice. Yet millions of people still smoke with or without the ads. Yeah, freedom of choice. It's the parents who should be in control. Not the kids. Getting rid of Rotten Ronnie won't solve anything.

Paul
said

No, parents have been hooking their children on unhealthy foods. Thinking axing Ronald McDonald is going to make everything better is just stupid. These people cannot see beyond the tip of their noses.

LH
said

hahahahaha, what is the world coming to? Has personal responsibility for anything been completely abandoned? This is ridiculous. Ronald McDonald is not making kids fat, the parents letting their kids buy and eat McDonalds is, plus there are healthy choices at McDonalds, it is the parent's fault if they choose to only buy the unhealthy stuff. Where do you think these kids get the money for McD's, its their parents! Plus, what happened to exercise? I think the video game culture where kids don't run around anymore is more to blame than fast food. If you don't want your kids to eat fast food, don't let them, trust me, the clown is not holding a gun to your head to eat it so leave the clown alone!

Parent with good parenting skills
said

Shame on us. For not taking responsibility for our actions. Blame someone else..What great examples we are giving the next generation.Parents act like parents and don't bring your kids to McDonalds to eat. YOU are the master hereReally pretty simple

Freedom
said

Corporate Accountability International, look them up , not transparent about donations. BBB does not rate them. They appear to be meddlesome troublemakers, telling people what tyhey think is good for them. Too much of that nowadays.

gilles
said

Wow, I am reading all of the comments and it seems that people are right on. Parents be responsible, stop blaming everyone including the clown. Bravo smart people.

adam
said

There should be far greater concern for the moral protection of children. There is none. Why?

Lance
said

I'm sorry but this kinda thing has to end. By the looks of these comments parents seem well aware of the dangers of eating fast food, and these groups have to stop worrying about every one's families and let the parents be the parents. If we fire Ronald it's only fair to do the same with the 100's of other products available on the market today. Say bye bye Little Debbies, hit the road Wendy, and the BK King time to hang it up and collect welfare.... I don't know how everyone else feels truly, but I strongly feel we have veered off track on what needs to be done for the welfare of our children. This is in my opinion, a grasp for attention nothing more...

LisainNS
said

Corporate Accountability International needs to get a life with real purpose. Let's hold Ronald McDonald accountable for people making their own choices to eat unhealthy. There needs to be a group for stupid people making stupid decisions then

John from Quebec
said

This is just stupid. Yet again we are blaming someone else for bad parenting. Here's a crazy idea, why don't parents stop brining their kids to McDonalds. Gasp! Seriously, what is wrong with some parents. It's not Ronald McDonald that is getting their kids sick, it is their lack of parenting. Maybe Ronald McDonald should be banned, because he seems to have a hold over parents that makes them buy unhealth food for their children.

alan
said

Hello!!! Are there not parents out there. If it is just about Ronald how about the Root Bear at A&W or the Playlands at Burger King. I even remember Big Boy. At the end of the day it is the parents who decide. Meantime the fast food places are changing their menus. That is where the attention should go. Ban Ronald, give me a break. As a grandparent, I am now into a 3rd generation of making choices on these fast food places and they have been a part of my life but the key is in moderation.

Gunnar
said

If the kids are spending their own money on McDonald's, then it is the fault of the parents for a) giving them enough money to do so and b) not instilling healthy eating habits at an early age. If the parents are buying the McDonald's, then it is the parent's fault for doing so. Either way, I fail to see how a corporation's marketing strategy is at fault for the decisions that parents ultimately make.Perhaps the cause of unhealthy eating habits is the disintegration of the family unit. Nobody is home to feed their children healthy balanced meals, because being a wife and mother is denigrated by society today. When both parents work and have maybe half an hour to get food on the table, it's hard to make healthier choices. I fail to see how McDonald's is responsible for that.

IT Manager from Edmonton
said

It is very (very) reassuring to read the comments posted thus far and to see first hand that everyone except for the handful of granola chompers out there view this with common sense. There is no clown holding children against their will stuffing quarter pounders down their throats, only parents who are not doing their jobs and teaching their kids how to eat right.We are not victims of marketing as some would have us believe, we are consumers in a free market making choices on how and WHERE we spend our money. Enough said.

Christine
said

My son who is 8 doesn't really even associate Ronald with Mcdonalds. He wants Mcdonalds for the happy meals (toys) and their fries. I let him have it occasionally but remind him that it is a treat not something that we will consume on a regular basis. I also educate him on healthy eating and why it is important.We used Ronald McDonald House when my brother had surgery for severe scoliosis and are grateful that as a family we could be near the hospital to support him while he went through a very rough surgery. I think the people who are going after Ronald are on the wrong track, if they are concerned about food education then do something like what Jamie Oliver has started with his Food Revolution and educate people (parents and kids) and teach people how to cook!

Tom Brooke
said

Young kids don't earn their own money and drive themselves to Mc Donalds. Their parents do.

PBW
said

Fulsom says ". . .fast food can take much of the blame." What about portion size in restaurants of any type, and portion size at home? What about the declining physical fitness of our youngsters, in spite of Phys Ed time mandated in every school in every province? I know of a student who was proud that a parent gave them a note to skip PE for one reason or another for all four years of High School; and yes, that person was obese. Read the reviews: during the Second World War, the citizens of Britain were the best fed population ever, and all because rationing ensured that people got what they needed to have a healthy diet - the first time ever for some people - not what they WANTED. Just because our nation produces massive amounts of food does not mean that we have to eat it ALL. As for Ronald McDonald being to blame; first consider who actually takes those young children into the burger joint: the parents, who simply did not say NO to their children, and probably not to themselves. Were parents to show restraint more often, it just might rub off on their progeny. What is next, after banning cartoon characters from promoting a product? Must we have every aspect of our lives controlled because some special interest group thinks we must conform to their mode of thinking; and worse, be publicly derided, or worse, because we dare to offer a contrary opinion? The PC Nazi's are at it again. It is THEY who need to be removed not the guy in the clown suit at the golden arches.

Brian from Winnipeg
said

This is undeniably ridiculous. Where do these left leaning thought police get off? Blaming Ronald McDonald for kids getting fat - that's really a serious basis for an argument to actually petition his "removal" as a marketing gimic from a private corporation? What next? Do we try Ronald McDonald at the Hague for crimes against humanity as part of the McDonalds Corporations not so secret conservative hidden agenda to fatten up kids? What a joke. I propose we, the common sense and rational thought loving people of the world petition Corporate Accountability International to close it's doors permanently for crimes against stupidity.

Rob
said

First of all don't these people have better things to do and will anybody ever tell these people to get a life and have parents responsible for kids behaviour and habits

jk out west
said

Ronald eats Mcd's all the time and he's skinny. What's the problem??

Mat
said

This news article is a perfect tool to measure the insanity of some groups in our society. Corporate Accountability International is attempting to give a "get out of jail free" card to parents who have failed to educate their children about proper nutrition and exercise. The problem is that parents have handed their kids a Big Mac and a video game controller, instead of a healthy meal and quality time with a football. Banning marketing tools used by corporate America, is not the solution.

JohnbMTL
said

The responsibility lies with the parents, not the corporations pimping out their merchandise. If you do not want your kids to eat this crap...DON'T LET THEM

Too may people passing the blame. McDonalds is a business, they provide the service, if you do not want your kids to get fat, lazy and stupid, become a better parent!

Samantha in NS
said

why not ban motor cycle commercials, commercials that advertise fast sports cars as cool... surely encouraging children to speed when they can drive is just as bad? Sure marketing tools such as these do work, but effective intrusion by parents (via talking to their children, and FULLY explaining why a little bit is good every once in a while, not all the time) is also an effect tool against such techniques. I will give you that parents are far out numbered by the amount of advertisements children see, but they are ultimately (until their child can think critically, choose, and pay for it themselves) the last line of defense before heading to McDonald's. If you wish to get rid of the clown, get rid of Barbie, get rid of G.I Joe... Why just stop at fast food corporations and their techniques?

Samantha in NS
said

Plabo
said

How about keeping Ronald the clown but in our kids image. Let's have a fat, unhealthy clown with big red zits. Who wants to vote for this?

Born and Bred Edmontonian
said

When looking at this article, the lobby group here acts more like the clown than Ronald does.

Doug On
said

Once again the humourless thought police come riding to my rescue. Too bad they weren't around years ago when I was so devestated by Aunt Jemima and her pancakes, and Colonel Sanders with his fried chicken.

Tim
said

Unhealthy Children have nothing to do with a restaurant clown. Unless of course the children have a good job and can afford to be the one buying the food. Get real! The parents are the ones buying the food, and they are the ones who have to make the choice to supply a healthy meal at home and in their lunches. This isn't news, it's just another group with nothing better to do then target a company to stay in the public eye. How about they spend some time working on a real issue such as providing affordable housing to families to free up their income to enroll their children in sports instead of blaming a company for a choice that is not made by children. The blame for unhealthy children because of diet falls on the parents. I think I am going to go take over the world now because I had a Lex Luther action figure as a kid.

Anne
said

Why do these groups always try to blame someone else for their decisions? As a parent I decide if my kids can have McDonalds, and occasionally I do take them there, but not every day!

richard
said

Some people just have too much time on their hands and feel the need to tell you what to do.

Nanook
said

Have to dump COOKIE MONSTER as well. Very bad influence. Ernie and Bert? Hello?

George
said

It not time to get rid of Ronald but time for the company to change Ronald message to make more healthy, show him playing games eating apples and all the good and healthy stuff

JB in Calgary
said

I think we should send a petition around to make it that people have to have a licence to have kids. STOP asking everybody else to raise your kids!! Did the clown make your kid fat? NO YOU DID! Does this mean Burger King will have to stop giving out those crowns next? Of all the 'causes' there are in the world to stand up for this is the one people choose.

Maureen
said

Sure parents should be responsible for their kids, but we're missing the bigger picture here. Marketing tools like Ronald have changed the whole frame through which we - and many of our kids view McDonalds. The Tobacco comparison is apt because it is the same thing: using cartoon images to market a dangerous product to our children as 'cool' or hip.

dean in NL
said

i guess we as parents, dont have the right to choose for our kids. more left wing BS about how these "true believers" know how to raise them than we do. next we'll have to get them out of organized sports because it makes them to competitive. maybe these people should just munch their toofu and leave the rest of us alone.

Lupe
said

Ronald McDonald has provided a great opportunity for my son and I to talk about why we don't eat McDonald's food. Now every time we see Ronald on TV or drive by the Golden Arches, he reminds me that the food is unhealthy and that Ronald hurts animals.

bc grrl
said

but wait, wasn't it just announced that 'big brother' wants to put anti cancer drugs in the fast food??? so what is the big deal, you get your trans fat and your anti cancer drug (to fight the long term effects of the high temperature saturated oil) in the same meal with a fake man in a big jaundice coloured suit who provides the entertainment! sounds like dinner and a show!

Ken in Copper Cliff
said

Brilliant! If we just kill the clown our kids will clamoring for carrot sticks, and if we put more clothes on the women in beer commercials people will quit drinking. I think this whole debate is a symptom of the high unemployment rate, Seriously....if you can't get a job, get a life

Rick
said

what a joke! your stupid petition will not force McDonalds to scrap Ronald...he's the face!

Sarah
said

Parents are crucial in determining what their children consume, but even the most vigilant parent can't stop their children from seeing McDonald's marketing--Ronald is everywhere! He has a website with games for kids, he goes to libraries, he's even gone to schools to teach physical fitness! And the McDonald's executives know that parents--or "gatekeepers," as they call them--can't be with their children 24/7. It's time to give parents a break from insidious marketing. Retire Ronald is a great idea!

BC
said

Next they'll be calling for the Michelin Man to retire(unheathy body image)

trunorth
said

And Ronald doesn't even have a BigMac in his hand!

Shawn
said

Since when does a cartoon or other character have an influence on what my kids eat. If parents actually have any type of control or boundaries on their kids it doesn't work.Enough of these stupid groups trying to protect my family and I from ourselves. I can handle myself and kids just fine without you.

Darlene in Williams Lake
said

You know what? I blame the government. If they would quit taxing us so heavily, both parents wouldn't have to be out working to make a living. Whether it be McDonalds or Burger King everyone likes to eat out. I was lucky to be able to stay home, raise the kids myself ( not put them in a daycare so that I didn't have to ), make a home a home, see that all their needs were met to the best of my ability and now I as a homemaker am paying for this by not having a pension that could support me. I did do some bookkeeping at home...so my pension consists of $90 a month C.PP. and $516.00 OAS ( which I just started receiving. My family were not a burden on society likt so many now days and I am punished by not having a living.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said

Their pointing the finger at the wrong guy. It was the Hamburgler that stole our children's sense of healthy eating habits. @ Joe, ever wonder why it's against the law to advertise legal cigarettes, what happened to our freedon of choice?

Josie
said

It's easy to blame individual parents instead of the institutional forces at play in making 1 in 3 kids born today sick with diet-related diabetes in the years ahead. It's also as reprehensible to absolve corporations of all responsibility as it is absolve parents of the same. I applaud this campaign because it takes a holistic and realistic view of the food and media landscape our kids are growing up in. Retire Ronald.

Frank Buchan
said

My daughter is 4 and has been to McDonald's once in her lifetime. I doubt she'll go more than once every 4 years. She has been to other fast food joints occasionally, mostly because at this age one of her favorite foods is French fries. My job as her dad is to balance her eating.To suggest any company change its marketing practices to suit lazy people is just another sign of how we reject our individual responsibility. What's next? A common menu for all such places so we can force only healthy food onto it?

BigD
said

For 50 years blah blah blah... I did not eat at a McDonalds until I was 20! Never even heard about him! Parents should stop taking thier kids if they are so concered! Will the stupidity of our modern world ever end?

realist
said

Wendy - yes but keep in mind that Morgan Spurlock ate NOTHING BUT McDonalds for 3 meals a day, every single day. Anything to the extreme is bad for you. But there's nothing wrong with once in a while, as a special treat.

Kimmer
said

I agree with these folks who say that it's not the clown that brings the kids in - it's the parents. There are also healthier choices at McDonald's too - like salads and apple slices. And if these people are so worried about what their kids are eating - they should start reading the nutritional information on food they buy at the grocery store. Educate yourselves on fat/sodium/carbohydrates - and then make your decisions on what to eat. We have enough unemployment - do we need to add poor Ronald??

Jim, Alberta
said

People need to stop blaming restaurants for being fat. Its people's own fault for stuffing the fires down every day. Its not like they are forcing people to eat the food. Besides as far as i know mcdonalds offers play grounds in most stores for exercising the kids. Its the adults who get obese and who decide wether to go or not.

kullen
said

i had never heard of camel cigarettes until i read a magazine so i think there was a signifcant step taken in retiring the mascot, im a teenager and i think if ronald mcdonald was taken out of the mcdonalds campaign that kids wouldnt be so into mcdonalds...wendy`s is practically the same thing, they offer toys with a kids meal but because mcdonalds offers that key element of the mascot, it establishes that connection to kids and i think its wrong

buffywrestling
said

I'm more worried about Hamburglar, personally. I can't believe the Parole Board let him back out on the streets. You can just *look* at him & tell that he's going to do it again.

Sean - Chatham, ON
said

Yeah, I'll sign up for that group as well Jason.This organization appears to be yet another one who's original intent (now accomplished) has found themselves out of work and are looking for any excuse to target in order to continue their crusade and keep themselves employed.We're in a society these days where virtually no one is willing to accept personal responsibility for anything. At all. There's always an excuse why someone else is responsible for their woes. That's right, they're totally brainless guppies who can't seem to think for themselves and rely on the intelligence of others to guide them towards what is right and wrong.Excuse me, I think I'm going to be sick....

Pam
said

PamIt isn't the marketing. I agree with that. It is the parents who take the children to fast food outlets. Go after the governments for allowing all the various chemicals into the food. Not only directly to the food but to the farms, animals food, pesticides, fertilizers. Try going to a cattle farm and the hazard warnings in the food storage area. HMM!!! and we eat meat and dairy products.

Bob Dyck
said

As a grandpa I ask parents and granparents,whatdid your kids have for breakfast during the past 10 days? Home cooked Oatmeal?Multigrain home- cooked cereal? What about evening snacks ? Why are our problems never our responsibility? Bob

Martin
said

Reading all the comments here you would think that Ronald McDonald advertising has no impact on kids and it is totally the parents fault. I wonder why McDonald's has continued to spend the money to keep the clown as a marketing icon if he has no impact? I'm sure everyone here agrees that alcohol, gambling, porn, and drug addictions are totally individuals fault too and nothing to do with society promotion and easy availability - but I disagree. Limiting society promotion and availability is justifiable to some extent for things that are potentially addictive and bad for people/society (e.g. just like smoking or drugs!). Everyone has a weakness, and for some it is junk food. Let's not promote it - especially to the impressible young. It's our jobs as parents to protect their minds and bodies - if we restrict the TV sex / violence they see and even watch friends impact, why would we not consider the messages / influence they receive from media (e.g. skinny models, violent heroes, and fast food is good). Of course we should.

Zaphod
said

If Rotten Ronnie goes, then EVERYONE'S mascot must go. Imagine Iron Maiden without Eddie... or Wendy's without Dave Thomas... or your favorite sports team without your favorite giant stuffed costumed mascot?If I was McDick's I would sue these people for being morons...

TG
said

Well, it would appear that people such as Stacey Folsom a) have nothing better to do with their time and b) are out of touch with what is really going on with our kids. Stacey do your homework, getting rid of a couple of icons in the tabacco industry did not make a significant impact on how many children pick up the bad habit of smoking (at least not where I live. So getting rid of Ronald is won't have much effect either. So what will, it seems unanamous, PARENTS. Get it, got it, good.

Brian15
said

The only clown that has to go is the clown who started this petition. The next thing they will want is Mickey Mouse gone, The 3 Rice Krispy elfs, Cpt. Crunch. It goes on and on..Burger King has a mascot...Even my good old Cpt. Morgans rum is seen on TV. Get a life folks, this clown stays, lets get rid of the clowns who started this.

Monica
said

wow this is the most hilarious thing ive heard... Ronald never made our kids fat its lazy parents that make there kids fat.. So i say parents need to wake up and go to the grocery store and get some celery, carrots and stop goig to mcdonalds everyday... So what now we going to fire the colonel for chicken, its called advertising they aint going to say hey kids come to mcdonalds were i love to make you fat, but yet again its advertisment and if parents are dumb enough to listen to it its there own fault...

James T.
said

If these busy-body soccer moms want to retire Ronald, all they have to do is buy a controlling share in McDonald's stock. At this morning's rates, that would be about $37,648,200,000. If they're prepared to do that, fine. If not, they should have the decency to be quiet and not meddle in affairs that don't concern them.

Spike
said

Leave Ronald alone...seems the loonie left is at it again telling people what to do.

Mike in Manitoba
said

Why don't the parents just say no to McDonalds. I tell my kid no all the time, it's really not that difficult. Try parenting instead of blaming everyone else for you child's problems. Ronald McDonald does not make children fat, parents who don't make sure their kids eat healthy make their children fat. Time to stop blaming everyone else and start being a parent.

trunorth
said

Everyone knows that fast foods are generally unhealthy, but comparing Ronald McDonald to Marlbro Man and Joe Camel? WOW!

Kathy--Cold Lake, AB
said

It is the parents that are the ones that want to eat at McDonald, so they don't have to cook a healthy meal for there children . If a few more parents cooked healthly meals our children would not be so over weight. I know for a fact, because I raised 6 children and none of them are overweight. Have some control on your child.

Sara
said

oh some people just need to "shut up".... not even worth arguing.

CMQ in NB
said

Let's take a deeper look. People are overweight and out of shape, kids included for several reasons. Our modern economy dictates that both parents have to work, and in some areas work shift work. This leads to fast food eating or tv dinners, basically junk. Our schedules do not allow the time to have a decent meal like we used to be able to. Add to that kids are stressed and tired from being in daycare from 7 or 8 in the morning until 530pm at night or school/after school programs. They come home and munch on junk. Parent's are stressed to meet deadlines at work, make the company high profits and this lends to eating not only junk but higher quantities. It is easier to mircowave something than to cook or bake it. Lastly, how about all the other places who don't have a "clown" or symbol and yet we still eat there. If this group thinks getting rid of a clown or symbol will reduce over eating and fast food they are sadly naive. Like many others stated here it is a matter of choice and personal discipline which is hard in the world we live in. PS. Joe Camel might be gone but the last time I checked there were plenty of people huddled around the smoking area still doing their thing!!!!!

Wendy
said

I watched the movie super size me. In 2 weeks of eating nothing but MacDonalds food the doctors the guy to quit what he was doing. The doctor said the only thing he had ever seen destroy a liver that fast was alcohol. I can't believe parents would let their kids eat this garbage.

CraigW
said

There is a lot of litter that can be cleaned up along our highways and grafitti on our buildings as well. Apparently, these people have nothing constructive to do, so if they are interested in making the world a better place, they can start with that.

realist
said

Another fine example of people doing whatever they can to point the finger of blame at someone/something else. As the parent, YOU are the one makes the decision to purchase the fast food. YOU are the one that gives them lunch money so they can buy crap in the cafeteria instead of making them (or teaching them to make for themselves) a healthy brown-bag lunch. Why are people so desperate to put the blame on anything or anyone else rather than look at themselves? What's next? Are they gonna take Tony the Tiger out back and beat the pulp out of him for being on the box of a high sugar cereal? Declare "open season" on the Trix rabbit? Grow up people....

Laurie
said

Don't get rid of Ronald, how silly is that. But how about getting him to grow his hair out like Shaun White (olympic gold medalist) and get a sportier outfit (like underarmour).

Joyce
said

Parents taking responsibility is what will change a child's eating habits. McDonald's is not the only fast food venue in the world and Ronald is not responsible for all the whoppers or whistle dogs, candy bars, potato chips or other forms of sugar that parents choose to give their children. Organizations need to take the lead in teaching parents about setting and following limits themselves. Most parents do not practice choosing healthy foods. Secondly, if you try to shield children from marketing efforts now they will be defenseless against other marketing programs as they grow up. They may fall prey to marketing programs that promote overspending, debt, alcohol consumption, or immoral living. Now is the time for parents to teach children about sales and marketing so that they can make wise choices now and in the future. Teach children reasoning and negotiation skills that will help them become responsible adults.

Greg, New Brunswick
said

We eat at McDonalds every couple weeks because my kids enjoy it and I like not making supper. I don't think my kids even know who Ronald McDonald is, they want to go so they can get the newest toy that is out, that's what is pulling my kids in. But in the end it is my choice whether I want them to go to McDs. Waste of time, who's next the Wendy from Wendys and the Colonel Saunders from KFC.

Ottawa-Guy
said

Parents need to take responsibility for healthy choices and educating their kids on those choices. My kids love McDonalds as much as their friends but we only eat there a couple of times a year. I don't consider that 'hooking' them on unhealthy food. On the taking credit for lower smoking rates for our kids: I think the goverments aggressive anti-smoking campaigns deserve most of that credit.

Jason
said

I would like to join the "Individual Responsibility International" group. Where do I sign up? This is a case of parents having priorities other than raising their kids in a healthy manner. Yes it requires work and sacrificing some of the things that the parent would rather do, but that's part of the deal of being a parent.

Lori
said

Seriously!!! They think Ronald McDonald makes kids eat fast food?? I agree with the other comments, it is the parents that are responsible for their children not Ronald McDonald. This is as bad as when people say the "road" caused accidents. "Roads" don't cause accidents, the drivers on the "roads" cause accidents.

Rob
said

Hmmm, last time I went to McDonald's I didn't notice Ronald leading any kids into the restaurant.... it was the kid's parents. So, who is responsible for kids being over weight or not eating right? Place the blame where it should really lay and give me a McBreak!

Realist
said

They want to blame Ronald for poor parenting...give it a break..

Sarah
said

My four children (ages 9 and under) do not know who Ronald McDonald is. Why? They never eat fast food, unless they're out with their grandmother! (And when they do, they're always hungry later - it never fills them up) Why aren't parents stepping up? I myself am obese and I never want my kids to have this problem, so I'm teaching them about healthy eating from day one.

Roberta
said

Who buys kids the "unhealthy food that's making them sick"? If McD's should retire Ronald, maybe Tim's should stop the "rolling up the rim" for the same reason.... Or maybe we should all grow up and be responsible for the choices we make for ourselves and our children.

Blame Game
said

"Fulsom says obesity rates are soaring and fast food can take much of the blame."Our kids are sick, and the reason is what they eat," she says." When I was a kid our family rarely went to fast food restauarants and even now I still barely go into fast food places and guess what? throughout most of my life, I have been considered overweight and obese, so get off your "our kids are being influenced" soap box and maybe look at other factors that are effecting the increase in obesity.

said

I feel like forming an opposing group called "Individual Responsibility International." Incompetent parents who feel that SOCIETY should be charged with shaping the habits, behavior, and performance of their children would be disallowed membership.

Canadian Resident
said

I can't support this. Removing Ronald MacDonald will not solve the problem of kids eating unhealthy foods, It's a shame you think it will. Hiding something doesn't fix anything. If you want to help solve obesity in North American, educate parents and students about healthy and unhealthy food...and whats right and not right to eat.

DJ
said

Our kids are not getting sick and overweight because of a clown. They are getting that way because their parents feed them fast food. I don't recall ever seeing Ronald McDonald MAKE anyone eat at McDonalds. I think before we blame a clown for our kids being unhealthy, parents should be looking at themselves! I have young boys and I know that McDonalds is not good for them so that is why taking them there to eat is a treat (once a month at the most) not a weekly occurance and no a clown does not make me do it!

Earthwatcher
said

time to kill the clown...charities aside, they can lose the clown which will no doubt have a positive impact on the eating habits of kids (yes part of it is choice but make it part of the solution...have you ever sat in your car, dinner is only a dream and 3 kids clamoring for McDonalds?).Their charities will find a way to be just as successful and beneficial to the public. Money talks, the clown doesn't

doreen
said

I agree with Joe, no one makes you go to any restarant, whatever happened to good meals at home.

Jaela
said

The campaign to remove Ronald McDonald from the sight of children has the right idea. But the real problem is not the corporations, but the parents who ALLOWED the corporations to take advantage of their children. If parents actually took the time to sit down with their kids and explain why McDonalds should only be a rare treat, and why going "coocoo for cocoa puffs" is not a good idea - then we wouldn't have this problem. The corporations have been able to manipulate a generation because the parents allowed them to do so.

Bill in Ottawa
said

Parents are responsible for thier childrens health, not corporations. Marketing campaigns don't make children fat - parents who don't encourage thier children to get any excercise because thier afraid to lay down any rules for fear that they might somehow harm thier child's well-being by setting boundaries do. Pop psychology at its worst.

Joe
said

What happend to freedom of choice? I've been to McDonald's once in the past six years. You choose to go into McDonald's. You choose to eat there. So much for free will and choice