First of all I am not a parent. I wish I was, but the cards did not get dealt that way so I now spend my time blogging. No seriously, if I was a parent I would not be spending my time suing McDonald's. I live in Sacramento County and I am quite frankly embarrassed that another resident of this county is suing McDonald's claiming that the marketing of Happy Meal toys is somehow interfering with her ability as a parent to provide her two children with a healthful diet. Really?

Earlier this year the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) threatened to sue McDonald's if it did not stop trying to lure children by putting toys in their Happy Meals. So you knew it was coming. They finally pulled the lawsuit trigger. Monet Parham, one of the sponsoring plaintiffs, commented "I object to the fact that McDonald's is getting into my kids' heads without my permission and actually changing what my kids want to eat." This is so absurd I cannot even believe a judge would spend a minute on it.

I was then reading this blog by Jessica Rosenberg and it was all so easy and plan to see. I encourage you to read it. She states, "how about instead of blaming marketing and large institutions, we accept the responsibility that comes with having children." How refreshing. She goes on to say, "Is she (Monet Parham) not the boss of her children? (Who drives them to McDonald's? Who does the grocery shopping? Who has the power to say no?)"

Life is complicated and I know it is tough being a parent. When I was a kid going to McDonald's was a treat. It was a birthday or a special occasion or when we were coming home from a trip. It was by no means a daily or even once a week event. My mom let us watch one hour of TV a day and cooked us meals all the time.

CPSI is just justifying its existence and feeling the trial lawyer machine. Or maybe it is the trial lawyers who are feeding it. Either way, life is about tough choices and personal responsibility. Obesity is a huge issue in this country and it needs to be addressed. But the answer starts at home, not at the drive-through.