Obama's event registry is basically the same as a bride and groom signing up with a gift registry at a store. The only exception is that by signing up with Obama's event registry, you’re asking your guests to give money to the President's campaign in lieu of a wedding gift for you, according to Fox News.
This isn't exclusive to brides and grooms, if you're having a birthday, anniversary, graduation or any other event that constitutes receiving a gift, the president would like you to forego this offering and strongly urge your friends and family to give it to him. He wants the monetary value of such a gift, he doesn't want that toaster or vase.
The website even gives you the words to use when asking for this bizarre trade-off. It is a trade-off because in lieu of you getting gifts, you get to feel great about supporting your president for re-election. CBS News calls this a "fundraising ploy" and the website that's announcing this new campaign venture is filled with comments, calling this "pathetic" and "sad." Many ask if this is what the office of the president has come to?
Now can you think of a better way to celebrate a blessed union of a marriage or the milestone of a birthday or anniversary? Hopefully there's an age limit on this expectation because somehow it's hard to image little Johnny or Suzie giving up their birthday presents for this good feeling.
The blog post from the campaign asks:
"Got a birthday, anniversary, or wedding coming up? Let your friends know how important this election is to you—register with Obama 2012, and ask for a donation in lieu of a gift."
"It’s a great way to support the President on your big day. Plus, it’s a gift that we can all appreciate—and goes a lot further than a gravy bowl."
"It’s a great way to support the President on your big day. Plus, it’s a gift that we can all appreciate—and goes a lot further than a gravy bowl."
Politico is full of comments from readers who are calling this "tacky," "crass" and "typical." While one commenter calls this the "lowest of the low," another calls it a "shameful display of classlessness." These are some of the milder comments being spewed around the web tonight.
This is the furthest away from humble that anyone can get. It sounds indicative of someone who thinks the world of themselves. How could anyone ask a newlywed couple to give-up the gifts that usually set them up in housekeeping to start their new life together?
In this economy monetary gifts to the bride and groom are desperately needed in most cases. How inappropriate to ask your guests coming to a birthday, anniversary, or graduation party to take a political side for the occasion. It sounds like this Obama campaign believes that everyone out there would be willing to help keep him in office.
What do you think? Please comment for a future article on what people are saying about this new Obama event registry.
Source: examiner
