are u kidding? there are much better things to use the money for…ie earthquake or cyclone victims or the poor and homeless in the USA..then I would be really proud of them

I can only quote Forrest Gump: “Stupid is as stupid does!”

Kids under 18 can’t vote, so why should they pay? However, there’s nothing wrong with the parents selling old toys that their kid doesn’t play with, and donate that money to a campaign.

Of course! Most kids have too many toys to begin with and it’s great to get them active early on.

It is good for childern to develope an intrst in politics. I would not encourage selling toys but it is a matter for each individual to deceide. There is no rigt or wron in this. I am afraid too many would make a judgeent on whether or not it was insupport of their canidate.

Heaven’s no! And, Mr. C, you know me well enough to know that I am not shy about voicing my opinions; my kids would get detailed object-lessons in the dangers of “falling for” the empty rhetoric, and outright lies of politicians…whichever side of the political spectrum they might come from! Reagan said something akin to what I mean…:’Trust’, but ‘verify’”…but hold-on to your money, and your scalp!

I find it a bit silly that a candidate would accept such a gift from a child as in the case of Hillary Clinton. She should buy that kid a new bike and tell him to enjoy it. Apparently, though, she kept the money, despite of her and Bill’s millions. She must be really desperate for dollars!

I think we forget what it’s like to be starry-eyed innocent creatures who believe that people are fundamentally good, decent beings who look out for the best possible interests of all. If my kid wanted to sell his superman comics or her collectible barbies on ebay because he or she truly believes in the good and decent nature of a politician and the changes they will bring then who am I to tell them they can’t do that.

But I think it would be better parenting to let them keep their toys and instead they can clean their room or wash the dishes and I’ll take 20 bucks out of my own pocket and give it to their candidate of choice if they truly believe in what that person can accomplish.

Absolutely. Its the best way to reverse the cash flow from China back to the US.

On Barack Obama’s website you must verify certain information about yourself before you’re allowed to donate, including that you are at least 16 years old. A politician has to be pretty desperate to accept money from a kid who sold their toys to make money. If I had any, I’d let my children donate their allowance or chore money to charity, but not to support a politician. It’s a nice gesture, but kids can’t fully comprehend or analyze, on their own, the issues that one must take into account when deciding on which candidate to support.

I would rather teach my kids to donate them to charity or sell them and help the needy instead of wasting it on these dirty politicians. Why would we teach our kids to sell their toys and help politicians who end up in high positions, enjoy all the luxeries and screw up this country while millions of people suffer because what they do. It is a completely illogical idea to me.

Nuwan from Houston, TX

Kids should be taught about raising money for the good of the people not to fill the cofers of some politican. Let them raise money to help rebuild New Orleans since our lovely politicans are sitting on their laurels and not doing a dang thing.
Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day!!

must have been a democrat no one around to supervise the children

perry j
council bluffs iowa

Jack,
This is fasinating. Hopefully these are kids who have way too much in the way of toys and games as it is. Although I could think of lots of other things this money could go to at this time (Homeless shelters, feed the hungry programs, etc.), truth is, it’s up to the parents and the children to decide….

Hello Jack,

Talk about a loss of innocence! I would let my kids donate money raised by selling their toys to politicians only if they were old enough to vote. If I bought my kids the toys originally, and they sold those toys to finance a politician, I would cut off the toy allowance!

Cheers,

Mike

i would never allow my child to donate to a political campaign. i would encourage my son to save his money or donate the toys to a charity for kids, but i refuse to pay the bills for RICH politicians and i would not allow my child to either.

In a word….no!

Sure, but only those toys painted with lead paint and labelled “Made in China.”

At this point I don’t care what they do with their toys. My 5 kids range in age from 38 to 50.

This is almost a form of child abuse. The younger ones would have no idea about the election or who/what they are supporting. They might be effectively forced to support their parents cause. Selling toys to give to a charity or simply giving them to other children through a charity. Kids can benefit from developing habits of giving without being pawns of a consitituency they may not even know. When you think of the vast amount of money already spent on this election in the face of so much need in our country and others, you have to wonder about our values. If parents think this is such a good idea, see if they would not buy their kids toys for their next birthday and try to explain that they are donating the money to some rich old, middleaged, white, black, man/woman they don’t even know. That would be a great family discussion.

Average Americans are losing homes, and jobs are going out of this country even as we speak. Some experts on CNN still talk about Rev Wright, and Hillary’s debt. To answer your question. Aaaaah NO!!! I understand of the people, for the people, and by the people. This child is giving money and a part of their childhood up for a politician who is giving up this same child’s future ie: NAFTA, voting for war, not pushing for climate control, Soc Sec.

Jack,

I think I would be proud of them for wanting to get involved and trying to help in whatever way they can, but I would never let them part with something that brings them joy in order to give money to any politician and I would hope any politician would return any donation raised in such a manor. The fact is that most children aren’t well informed enough to make their own decisions about a candidate to support anyway and simply go along with whatever their parents say. Taking money like this is literally taking candy from a baby, and should be seen as just as despicable.

No, children should not be doing this, and shame on their parents for falling for this political gimmick. A GOOD candidate should be able to raise enough money from those old enough to vote. A GOOD candidate should be able to “sell” their ideals, values, and political agenda to the voting public. Voters will donate money to a candidate that they believe-in; one that espouses their own moral principles. Candidates that are honesty and forthright, and show that they are willing to “do the right thing” (even though it may not be popular) are the ones who will convince voters that they are sincere, and will have no problem raising enough money to fund their campaign

No. And I am somewhat skeptical of just who was influencing that poor child. In a time when there are major disasters in Asia, if I had a child that really wanted to make a difference, I would have them help out a charity, people who really need help, not a politician that already has millions.

Well you know there are different kind of political levels. In grade school level there are chapters that are headed in a political style organization.

I think at this level of political involvement should be more encouraged. The involvement leads to a more sense of self awareness allowing them to create a stronger stance on local issues. It also helps comprehension of more complex issues down the line.

To this regard, I’d certainly allow a limit of donations backed by a good cause.

Uhhh no. Especially when the politician is wasting the money and going into debt. She should have given the money back not encourage it. She’s rich already and she needs to buy that kid some new toys.

What toys? With gas and food prices increasing by the day kids won’t have any toys to play with or give away! No I would not allow it. Donate to a charity, not these bozos.

Hey multi millionaires taking money from kids and the disadvantaged is the American way and religous cults have been doing this since the beginning of time.

The nasty tone of some of the comments above are just bitter grapes.
If the child wanted to donate money to Hillary Clinton I am sure his parents condoned it and supported him in his decision. After all, ultimitely its up to the parents. Mary from Sarasota, FL

It would be perfect justice to send unsafe and unhealthy toys directly to a candidates campaign headquarters and let them liquefy the assets. The tax deduction is certainly worth the postage.

Jack: The old toys that are not working or functional I would.

More important than would you let your child - who would take it from a child?

If were are going to teach our children about the political process of voting and being apart of the election campaign, seliing toys their toys is not the way. It ridiculous. How about have their schools create fundraising campaigns for the the candidate of their choice. This will encourage their interest in politics. After all they are our future leaders.

no!with the obsession of the clintons and their supporters,to win at all costs,i’m afraid this practice will lead to these people,selling their children,when the toys are all gone….

No, Jack I would not. I think that it is important to teach children about politics, however everything has a limit. I would encourage my child to donate the money to a local charity instead, which by the way the politician should have suggested the child to do.

Jack,
Children are not old enough to vote and they sure are not old enough to sell the toys that their parents work hard to buy for them to give the money to a multi-millionaire politician. I think the parents of the boy who did this and gave the money to Bill Clinton for Hillarys campaign were just looking for their 15 seconds of fame. And isn’t it beyond belief that the woman who is worth millions of dollars even took the money and then bragged about it while campigning. She should be ashamed of herself taking money from a child. Would I let my children do this NO WAY! I can see encouraging your children to donate to those less fortunate than themselves, but Hillary Clinton is not less fortunate than the majority of the citizens of the United States. Talk about taking candy from a baby……………………., I thought politicians were supposed to kiss babies not take their pacifiers away from them.

Judie
St. Augustine, Fl

No. There are so many other organizations that need our help. With all the disasters that are going on around the world and here in American, I teach my kids about giving by helping people that are in desperate need. For Christmas, my kids give a new toy each to Toys For Tots. For Thanksgiving, they do a basket for a needy family. I have donated to politicians, but most of my donations go to people in need. I would not allow my kids to sell their toys for a political donation.

Not a chance, the politicians are already passing billions in debt on to future generations. I don’t think my children should have to pay them now as well as paying for their decisions later.

No, the politicians should have a set amount given to them by the Government when they declare their candidacy. That way a lot of the mudslinging that goes on will be avoided, because they’ll be a little more fiscally responsible, and learn to operate on a budget like the rest of us.

Actually the idea seems appropriate. Afterall the Chinese have been selling us toys for years and using the money to fund lobbyists to tell the our politicians what to do. It would be refreshing if the average Joe got to tell our politicians what to do instead of the makers of G.I. Joe.
Maybe then the politicians would get the lead out, so to speak.

Harry
Ky.

I’d rather see them sell their toys and donate money to charity than to any political campaign. Giving it to charities helps the underprivileged, something none of these candidates are, and it’s tax deductible.

Are you kidding?
After what the politicians have done to our kids future.
Mike CA

The toys that were made in a foreign country I would let my kids send to a politician along with a letter telling them what I think of their foreign trade policies. Then I’d ask them for a refund.

Shame on the Clintons for taking the money from that little boy and shame on his parents for letting him sell his belongings for that purpose. Sure it got them a picture on tv and another story for Hillary to spin during one of her rallies. If they really wanted to feel good about something they should of let him sell his toys and feed some kids in the United States that will go to bed hungry tonight. This was not a feel good story, Kind of pathetic actually!!!

Jack,
Their children! Children can no more understand their political beliefs than they can their religious beliefs. It’s like when parents say “my children are christian”, Not true. They are the children of christian parents but that’s it. Just like in politics a childs beliefs are a direct reflection of the parent. I would support my child selling his/her toys to give money to a political campaign if they understood what they were donating to and had made that choice themselves as opposed to emulating my views on politics. It’s no different then trying to sway a friend to believe the way you believe only with your children it’s much easier to limit their ability for free ethical choice.

Since my youngest is 30 years old, I don’t have a say in what they sell and how they spend their money. . . but if it were my grandchildren, I would tell them if they have to sell toys, they should put it in their piggy bank and try to help their parents pay for their college education. They way things are going, they will need all the help they can get to pay for it.

Jack, you must be kidding. I would never sell anything I have to donate to a candidate. My house hold is strapped enough because our political leaders have failed to protect us and our jobs. I also think it is a crying shame for any politician to knowingly accept any donations from a child. It’s all goes along with that saying “taking candy for the hands of a child”. that is just something that is not done.
It is even worse to knowingly take it from a child that has sold his toys to do so.

Jack,

It says a lot about how desperate her campaign is for money if they are taking money from little kids. It is amazing that the little guy is that interested in politics, but his parents must be off their rockers.

I am all for kids raising money for a good cause and many do organize and help out hose in need. Forming good habits early in life is a great and is growing today because of the internet. They are learning about things we as children never had access to. But I do not consider that Hillary is really in need of kids selling their bikes. She should buy that kid a new bike.

Only if the toys were made in China and sold back to them at a tremendous markup. Of course this is all of the toys now sold in the US and especially the ones with lead.

Next thing you know, Clinton will be bragging about how some poor little boy or girl she met in a Bosnian fox hole gave her her flak jacket and kevlar helmet, while showing her how to bob and weave to avoid the sniper fire. Then she will reminisce about how some lower-middle-class child gave up his or her daily insulin injection so she can continue to tear down the “gender” barriers, AND the Democratic party. Truly sad!

If the politician was down to her last hundred million, with fewer than six homes, I might.

ashame on his mother for allowing him to do that

I wonder how his parents feel knowing that their child is helping to pay Mark Penn’s bills?

Most 11 year old children I know don’t even listen to the world news, makes me wonder if the parents were more motivated than the child. Maybe the parents need new bicycles and a computer. Hillary should not have accepted the money from the child for whatever reason. Of course,it makes for interesting stories.

Hillary should be ashamed of herself. It’s like taking candy from a baby. She should have thanked the kid but refused the money.

If my kid sincerely wants to do that, and it is really her idea, then yes. I would never do anything to discourage my child from participating in our political system. Can we really have a democracy when less than half our population votes? I want to encourage my children to make a difference however they can — and if we got to meet Barack Obama, then that’d clinch it!

Sure… if the politician’s was named Obama. It might mean the children know more about securing their future than a lot of short sighted adults that can’t do grade-school arithmetic but manage to get re-elected year after year.

What kind of an eleven year old does this? Seriously? Why in the world would he forsake his free time accessories for politics? Why would anyone for that matter, do such a thing?

That kid should be more worried about the girl next door, the future of the TV animation market, and his Junior High constitution exam than about health care…

Any politician who knowingly takes money from a child who has sold his toys should be “flogged” on national tv! That has got to be the lowest of the lows, but that is what politicans are!

I would let them sell my house, and all my belongings to get rid of the current administration, so guess my answer would be a resounding YES ! This child that sold his toys to send to Hillary Clinton has more moxie than most other Americans do, thats including all of the American types that are voting this time around.

No. I would teach my child to donate to worthy causes. The selfish ambition of a power-crazed megalomaniac is hardly a worthy cause. Come on, Hill. Give the kid his money back.

Lets not get sentimental about exploiting kids whether it be directly through monetary donations or indirectly through parents when it comes to all the products/advertising on the market geared toward kids. Hillary is losing, her campaign is out of steam, she will accept donations from any and all contributors.

If I had children, I’d let them sell their toys to feed starving children, care for abused animals, medical research on childhood diseases or some other similar cause that depends on donations to exist. I would not let them sell their toys to donate to rich people who have hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank, thereby perpetuating the notion that it’s okay for the wealthy to milk the middle class.

Did you not see their tax returns. I think anyone making millions should not be taking money from a poor working slob like me in order to better their lifes and in turn making mine more miserable.
I ‘ll bet they wouldn’t send me a donation to better my job. And no, my kids won’t be sending any either.

The minimum age to vote is 18. Why not below? Because it is generally felt that a person is mature at that age to decide reasonably who he/she wants to support. To let kids who are not mature sell their toys for a politician they barely know or understand is just pure evil.

I’d let the child sell his toys and spend half the money as they wish, but I would have the child put half in a savings account for himself or herself in case the politicians fail to deliver.

Generally I would say yes as it is great to see kids excited about politics.

But to sell his toys for someone who has made about $109 million in the last few years and only needs the money to repay her debt, that I would not allow.

They should not have taken the money from him but rather thanked him and given him a signed photo or something that would remind him in the future of how raising that money made him feel.

” … but she told him that he’ll “always have two friends, her and Bill.”
- - that is until she throws in the towel and quits !
Poor, poor Hatsfield, little did he know that his money went to buy doghnuts or to pay Mark Penn’s obscene salary !!

I don’t mind the kid deciding to sell his toys to donate to a politician, but I have a real problem with the politician accepting it. The Clintons might have taken 5 bucks to make their young donor feel good about his extremely charitable act, but they shouldn’t have taken $400 from him. Once summer is in full swing Dalton might wish he had a bicycle after all.

I hope that my fifteen year old daughter will grow up to believe in sacrifice and public service.

However, I’d rather see her donate money to the Red Cross to help in an international disaster, or to other worthy charities that are dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of the planet earth, than to a campaign of a multimillionaire running for President.

As for President and Senator Clinton, what are they thinking? What is the message when multimillionaries are willing to take such a precious gift from a child. If I were Senator Clinton, I’d have met with the young man, and then presented him with another bike autographed by her family. How hard up is this lady that she would accept such a dear gift from a young child?

No, but I would sell my children to donate to one of the candidates!

Jim, Michigan

Not for politicians, of either stripe!

I would agree though to selling them to raise money for food banks that feed hungry families or for some other charity.

The money should not have been accepted.

No. That would be like taking candy from a baby. It just isn’t done.
Little Johnny or Janet donating money to a multi millionaire to run in a campaign and that multi millionaire accepting it is just wrong. Hillary Clinton has no tact or scruples. What a slime ball.

Jack
The answer Yes
But i wont let him(her)sell their toys to buy your book.

No, little kids need their play toys!

Are you kidding Jack, Hillary should have been ashamed to have accepted the money After all they have over 100 million in the bank.

No! Children under 18 should not be donating money to any candidate. It is something that is ripe for abuse by unethical parents. Anyway,campaigns should be publicly financed so everyone has a chance to run,not just rich people and those who are just pawns and lackeys for the special interests.

Well since I have not much money… I bought toys for my boys at Walmart. So I’ve already given money to Hillary. I won’t let my kids repeat their father’s sin.

No, I would donate in their name. Or have a bake sale or garage sale and let my son or daughter donate if they wanted to. I can’t believe Hillary actually took that boys money. And at the same time she bragged about a single mom who donated $20.00 dollars a week plus gave up her lunch hour to volunteer. It’s great these people have big hearts and are willing to help someone in need. But come on ..Hillary can loan herself millions of dollars.

HILLARY should be ashamed of herself taking all the kids money. She should have bought him a new bike and a brand new video game to show her appreciation for his support. If the kid would have given it to Obama. Obama surely wouldn’t have taken all his money. Maybe just $5.00 or a $1.00 would have been very appreciative. Hillary Shame on you. This is not something to brag about when you have millions of dollars. Hillary is not broke. She loaning to herself.

Well, if it were my child I would be more inclined to steer them
towards a charity, especially one that would benefit children.
Teaching children early about handling money is good, but
the poor child was misguided about giving his money to
a bad investment.
He should have donated to something worthy.

Jack, Honestly no. I would teach them to sopport charity, but for polititions no, and one who has Millions? no, we are looking to them for help. they are the ones to give us money to vote for them. $400.00 could carry me a long way in this hard time when money has gone on vacation and gas price take over.

Jack, I would under certain conditions. I would expect that it would be based on some level of understanding of what was going on and not just on superficial feelings. The child should have done some research about the candidate with reasons based on what was learned. The child would not need to agree with me and might, in fact, cause me to change my opinion.

Poor kid! If I were him I would ask for my money back!

How can anyone donate to a candidate who “with ALL that experience” has not run a fiscally responsible campaign!? Nuts.

OBAMA 08 & 12!

Absolutely not. If my future children want to donate to a politician, I’ll tell them to become familiar with the issues and work at a grass roots level. They can use their brains to make a difference instead of handing over cash eanred by selling items they didn’t even purchase to begin with.

Boise, Idaho

Dear Jack,

This is a story worthy of Dickens, or perhaps Hugo. Don’t the evil step parent/inkeepers in Les Miserables exploit the young Fantene to make their way in the world? My question to you Jack: did Fantene have a bicycle?

Dan NY

No Jack, I think it’s pathetic. She could have at the very least given his donation to a charity that helps poor children, and she still would have had a great story to tell. But as we have learned, this is all about her, not the people she claims to care so much about.

I think it is astoundingly pathetic that this multi-millionare woman takes $400 from a kid to help get her campaign out of debt. Everytime she speaks it is “donate money”…ick! Why is she so in debt? She always claims she is outspent by Obama and he has plenty. I read about her “street money” and that is why I think she has so much debt.. what else can it be? Even her staff have not been getting paid and she owes a lot of other people for services. How can someone who claims popular vote be so in debt????

Taking money from a kid (shakes head) That is just pathetic! Anyone with any ounce of maternal instinct wouldn’t have done that!

No, Jack. My children are taught to pass their toys on to other children who really need and deserve them (including orphanages). The only time I have approved of the “selling” of toys (in our family) is if it has been for a charity event, such as a fundraiser for a pediatric hospital, or a school, etc. (I don’t allow my teenies to sell on E-Bay). I insist on respecting the mentality of children. Children are delighted about their efforts to help other children. Why must some parents demand a false glory?

I’m sure Hillary’s cookie jar is deeper that the boy’s $400.00. She should give the money back to his parents out of decency. She and her husband donated to their own charity and she is hoping that Obama’s campaign should pay her back the loan that she made to her own campaign.

Cha-Ching!!! All for one and One for herself!!! That’s the Clinton Way.

There are better ways to introduce children to citizenship. If they want to sell their stuff, fine. Give the money to charity. I don’t think it is appropriate for kids to be directly involved in election politics. Wait until they are old enough to form their own political opinions independent of their parents. If an adult had the mental age of an eleven year old, we would think he was being taken advantage of. Same goes for an actual eleven year old.

If I were a politician, I would encourage the 11 year old to donate the money to a charity. As a parent, I would object as Clinton is over $20 million dollars in debt. I wouldn’t want ny child to helping her pay herself back for contributers money that she squandered when she thought she was “the inevitable” one.

More support from someone with less than a high school degree!

No Jack, I’d encourage my children to donate to charity instead. It’s shamefull Hillary took the money. Let her sell her multimillion dollar house if she needs cash that bad.

I live in Southern Ohio and I see the real poverty and despair of the poor in both Ohio and Kentucky. I would not let my child donate to any politician when there is so much suffering that he could help alleviate. That $400 was a drop in the bucket to the Clinton campaign but might have gone a long way to feed the hungry in his own back yard. Hillary continues to rack up debt with a let them eat cake attitude, so I would not encourage any small child to send her money. I wonder if she has paid any of her small vendor bills yet.

If the Clintons turned it down, the boy would have been devastated. I personally would not have allowed such a thing unless he went out and earned all or part of the money it took to buy the toys in the first place.

Jack,

I would definitely point out all of the options my child had to spend their money and if its something they felt strongly about, I would definitely let them. People wonder why their young adult children can’t make decisions..its because they’ve always made decisions for them.

La Mesa, CA

No. Although it is funny because before I heard about Hillary story, Barak had a kid do something similar for him and the kid was on the radio. It was so heartfelt listening to hime that it bought tears to my eyes ($11, his chores money). Hillary run for the whitehouse is over and that money could have gone to a needy charity instead.

Hillary Clinton has 100 milion dollars!! She does not need money from a 11 year old and should have never taken it. She is pathetic!

This story is rediculous and the parents are just plain wrong.. I would never let my kids donate to a political campaign. Let kids be kids.

It depends on the maturity of the young man. His family is probably trying to teach him to stand up for what he believes. Would there be an uproar if he sold his things to send money to do aide another country or give to a church. I think not. Just anti Hillary people are yelling. I hope this youngster has learned that if you feel deeply about something maybe you have to do with out some things to do what YOU feel is right.
His folks didn’t seem to have a problem with it so why should anyone else.

Not No, but Hell No! Can you say if you have taught your child to sacrifice for the greater good, can you say, help those less forturnate, donate towards that child’s college fund. The Clintons should have said I am inspired and give it back to the kid, and offer the parents a donation towards his college fund for his generoisity, or donate to charity in that childs name.

This is a great metaphor for Hillary’s presidency since, judging from the fiscally irresponsible way she’s managed her campaign, she’ll be saddling the next generation with a lot of new debt.

11 years old is definitely not too young to start making payments!

I admire any child that expresses an interest in politics and makes that type of decission and I would support their choice.

Candidates rarely turn down any donations…..but in this case, bragging about it shows how low she will go to repay the money she loaned herself.

The fact that HRC accepted that young man’s money, only to use it to pay almost 3 million dollars to Mark Penn this month is outrageous. His parents would have done better to use that money to save for his college fund. Boy gives 109 million dollar candidate 400 dollars by selling his toys. Said candidate then gives the money to another millionaire named Mark Penn and uses the boy as a political tool. What is wrong with this picture?

Absolutely - As long as they donated the proceeds to Obama.

Anyone with an ounce of integrity wouldn’t be happy to take a child’s $400 from selling his bike and all his games.

Oh, wait. Integrity. That explains it.

It’s better than letting your kids go to war for them.

The bad thing about this Jack is that Hillary bragged about taking candy from a baby

I agree with some of the post. The bigger question is who would TAKE the money!
The child is too young to understand politics. His parents should have known better.
He could have given the money to charity, you know homeless shelter or food bank.

Clinton should donate the money to charity, she should really know better!

Jack not in this world!!! I am disappointed that the Clinton campaign took the money considering that they have millions. They really ought to give that child the $400 back towards his education or trade school. From my understanding Kentucky like most states are really hurting from this bad economy right now. I believe that family can use that money more than the Clinton campaign right now.

i work in the public schools system, and on a number of occaisions.
witnessed very young students comming out to protest the transfer of school administrators. the funny thing is, that the vast majority of students hated the adminisrtators in question. most of us who worked for them didnt think well of him/her either.
the bottom line is, good kids do what their parents ask them to do.
mom and dad need to let their children be children, and stop trying to influence their kids in areas they have no knowledge of. children 13 and under have very little if any sound judgement, they simply take their parents word for it.

no no no way.They would not appreciate it anyway.

Yes, yes, and no. I have a 9 year old daughter in 3rd grade. The kids are talking about this election. They should, their futures are affected by it. That said, yes, children should donate their toys, books, and clothes to charity. Mine has at her request since the age of 3. My daughter has also donated her time, along with me, going door to door. But the bike stays. It is the only form of transportation we can afford these days. Perhaps Hillary would consider giving us a loan.

You know in a couple months he’ll be begging his parents to buy him new games and a new bike

Not THAT politician.

Jack, I don’t have children,but being a hillbilly from Southern Ohio who’s Mother and Father were both from kentucky It doesn’t surprise me what he did. Most of the people in Kentucky are hard working people who will share with their fellow man. Yes, I would let him do what he did. I bet he doesn’t even write it off on his taxes.
Neither left or right red or blue. Just an old hard working American.
Randall Chapman Msgt (Ret)
Vietnam Vet

Jack
If a person thinks the donation is for a worthy cause, I don’t see what’s the problem with the donation. Jack only you would bring up such a obfuscating question, just because you don’t like the Clinton’s. JACK there are many African-Americans whose income fall well below the poverty level, so why don’t you question their intentions also? Jack reads an article by Thomas Sowell who is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute and an author of Basic Economics: A Citizen’s Guide to the Economy. His article was dated April 29, 2008, you just might get some insite into his political assessment.

Sure would! They are 31, 29 and 22. Get them things out of their old rooms and the basement and donate to the democratic party!

This was very generous of this young man, but politicians raise and spend way too much money, as it is. A better place to send it, if my kids were so inclined, would be supplies for our service men and women, toys for tots, or the Red Cross.

There are so many deserving charities that help suffering in the world. Donation to a politician just seems a waste for a child’s money and compassion.

I don’t even believe it happened…probably a tale told along the trail like the hospital that turned the lady down for help…can’t believe a word from her mouth,she’s just like her impeached hubby…no morals at all with these people.

Never! And the fact that she accepted it shows just what type of person she is - disgusting!

Absolutely not. Charity, yes. Church, yes. Gifts for Grandparents or needy children, yes. There are greater things to teach about giving than this. Too bad Dalton felt that her story so desperate.

Yes. If they were old enough and understood fully the political views of the candidate and knew that the toy was gone for ever (until next Christmas).
Now a days so many students do not have a good grasp of politics and our political history. This would be a good way for them to learn. I think that this primary has done a positive educational advertisement service for our new first time voters.

No, Jack. Nor would I as a candidate accept such a donation from a minor. ANd, I don’t have $100M in gratuties for selling my husband’s fame. Shameless.

What great parents. My interest in our goverments comes from my child hood. I think the voters of today know absoluley nothing about the party they belong to or what it stands for. They believe and repeat incorrect information as truth. It truly disappoints me the lack of education our so called educated people have. I hope parents and teachers encourage their children (pupils) to read the history of our country.
Our children had access to books on American history and the Presidents. And they were encouraged to study the issues of the two parties. They were free to choose and also to vote. Know your facts someone might call on you to prove your words. If more parents turned of the TV and talked to their kids they might found some great memories. We did. Hillary has my heart. I see she gave her love for people in the face of her daughter. Pass on your values. Sometimes it’s a good thing.
Carol in Oregon

Carol in Oregon

I suspect the boy was more influenced by his parents than he was by Hillary. However, I think the money from his bike sale could have done more good had it gone to a local charity. Or maybe to a poor child who will never see a $400 bike.

John Stewart said it best after he showed the clip of Clinton bragging about this boy and shamelessly plugging her website. Yeah, he sent the money, and yes, she sure took it. That poor kids donation probably didn’t even cover the cost of the confetti they dropped after her speech. To answer the question, I would not let my son donate money to a candidate who has claimed 100 million dollars in income over the past 7 years. Any person with some pride, diginity, or shame would thankfully turn down the offer from the boy. I wonder if she pays back anyone but herself with the donations she will get on her road to the end tour in the next few weeks.

Jack, I sure would. I wouldn’t let me son give away his college funds, but giving up videogames for an interest in the government? Well, in a day when the release of GTA4 generates more interest than the presidential race, it sounds like a step in the right direction. I would just be concerned about donating the money to Hillary.

of course i would let them as long as they did’nt get carried away, remember they are american citizens also and should have there say if they have an opinion about the candidates. its people like that is why clinton will win the nomination or the election in nov. by a write in vote, she can beat both McCain and obama, the people don’t care about bogus caucus delegates or superdelegates the people have spoken and they will again in nov.

Yes Jack, I would let my kids sell thier toys or anything else they have if they would promise to give the money to Hillary. It is very important to help Hillary win the White House. Jack, you could help Hillary more than you do.

Lets watch and see this child 10years from now, wether he proclaims red or blue…or disappointment in politics and utmost regret for selling his bike once upon a time to support a politician.

And she is proud for accepting the money? Are there not any deserving charities in the childs neighbourhood? Then again your donation to a worthy cause didnt get any press coverage either so I huess its a small price to pay for 15minutes of fame.

they need to save their money for college since I will not be able to afford to send them..

Are you kidding me? The Clinton’s made a hudred million dollars since they left the white house and NONE of it through hard work. What I can afford to buy my children is the fruit of my labor. If she wants to be president so bad she can go get a second job and support her own campaign. She isn’t even working her real job because she is out campaigning and she is getting paid more than twice what I will ever make as a teacher. And this comment goes for all the politicians that are not doing their job in Washington because they are out campaigning.

II cannot believe that a mother making over 15 mil. a year would take money from a child who has sold his toys. And get on TV and tell about it!

Definitely. Those who give out of the kindness of their hearts are reciprocated ten fold. It’s a good thing for children to learn to give at a young age whether it is to a campaign, to church or to a charity. Our problem is that the world is selfish and everyone is for self. And don’t forget Galatians 6:7 - “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

I would love to answer that question, but I am too busy getting my nieces and nephews to go to Hillary.com and donate their lunch money. I can’t stand the thought of draining the bank accounts of the Clintons after they collected 100 million in income over the past 7 years.

Hillary has more money in her bank account than people who are struggling to make ends meet will ever have. She has a husband and the vows say “for richer or poorer”. Let him cough up some money for his “poor” wife. Let’s see how long Bill and Hillary will be his “friends”.

Just Shameful!!! Hillary and Bill Clinton made more than a combined 100 million dollars in the past few years. It wasn’t bad enough that Hillary took the money from the kid, then she exploits his story in her speech. They need to buy the kid a new bike, and some video games.

MALISSA, children giveing to a charity, and giveing to a political campagn are very different. they have no idea what the issues are all about. and you can try to explain all you want. but that does not alter the fact that their young minds are to immature to grasp what you are saying. we’re not talking about giveing gifts to poor children.
we’re talking about giveng money to politicians and political causes.

If the child is seriously informed and is inspired to be part of the process of choosing our representatives in one of the few ways a child can participate, why not allow the child to have this important memory? After all, many of us would like to remember doing our part to make a difference in a time when many Americans want to feel that they have a voice in trying to improve the future—especially after all the debacles of the GWB years.

Sure, why not? You’re never too young to experience buyer’s remorse.

It’s good practice for the kid. He gets to lose possessions to send money to someone who makes millions of dollars a year. Should prepare him well for working in our current economy.

Seems only fair to me: politicians sell our kids to buy their toys.

I don’t think so…these politicians already get enough money from special interest groups.

Why not Jack, better to a politician that he believes in than giving his money to a drug dealer!!

Jack, I’m in my late twenties, and I wouldn’t even sell MY toys to donate money to a politician. My time’s one thing… but my TOYS? You’re kidding me.

Absolutely! It is never too early to learn that you need to sacrifice a little to stand up for what you believe in

Certainly, provided my son or daughter was a Democrat, and I didn’t also want the toys…

Of course, that’s a very responsible thing for a kid to do. But I would have to talk to him to make sure he wouldn’t be asking me to buy him new toys a week later.

I can’t even force myself to check that box on my tax form to donate a dollar to a politician. Need I say more?

Only if it was to Barack Obama, not to someone as polarizing and rich as the Clintons.

Two words Jack, and excuse my French, but HELLLLLL NO!

Jack, it would depend on who the politician was. I believe that with it being Senator Hillary Clinton, I would let my child donate to her campaign. I have admired Hillary Clinton for years, and she is someone worth donating too. I wouldn’t personally donate to Obama or McCain, but I would probably let my child do what they wanted too, whatever they thought was right.

Sell the toys and buy gas for the family car.

I ABSOLUTLEY WOULD let my child do his or her own part to help for the greater benefit of this nation. When I was a 5th grader, politics were not on my mind, nor that of my friends, but my how times have changed. I 100% commend that young man for doing his own part. I urge everyone to support their candidate, my part was, is, and will be for Hillary Clinton.

I guess this is another example of establishing political ties at the grassroots level. Why not let your child help out a politician?, it’s good to see people so young taking an interest in what’s going on in our country for once. Also this is showing how the 08 election is breaking boundaries with the american problem of voter apathy… if an 11 year old is this involved in politics, that’s a sign that progress is being made in that department.

As long as it wasn’t for a Republican– Absolutely!!

I have a 12 year old son and would I let him sell his stuff to donate money to a politician? Hell no! They are among the richest and most powerful people in the U.S., not to mention the most unethical and dishonest.

Sure! I would let me child sell their belongings and donate the money to a politician. But instead of letting them give the money to the politician I would just burn it in front of him to teach him a valuable lesson.

Would I let my kid sell his or her things to donate to a political campaign? Absolutely.

Kids are not too young to care about things. They watch television, hear conversations between adults and learn about politics in school. If my child felt strongly about a certain topic, why should I keep them from doing what they feel strongly about. My children have donated to Christmas funds for less fortunate children, given their own money to Red Cross for victims of Katrina, the earthquake in China and the cyclone victims in Myanmar. It’s important for them to think of something other than just themselves and if contributing to a campaign gives them a feeling of empowerment and doing something for a cause, so be it. I support it.

I would most certainly allow my child to donate to a politician that he believed in. It is good to let children learn about the electorial process and God knows they see enough of it on television to come to some conclusion. Most kids today have too many toys and donating them to a good cause is good training in patriotism and how to vote in the future.

Absolutely not. At the age of 11, he cannot even vote, so is obviously either on some band wagon or his parents are using him to further their agenda and/or get his picture in the paper. It’s just plain silly. There are children out there who raise funds in various ways for worthy causes, and this is not one of them.

1st…who purchased the toys for him? was it his parents ? if so then he should paid off them first and if he get an allowance then he can donate his allowance to Ms. Clinton.
Brenda of Saginaw, Mich.

My answer is NO, if my child wanted to sell his toys and donate the money, I think feeding the hungry would be a much better way to use that money instead of donating money to someone who can’t manage their campaign money anyway. Clinton is in the red and that comes from bad management. If this statement is untrue why is it that Obama can spend and spend and has not once gone in the red nor has he had to loan his campaign money. In my opinion if you can’t manage your own campaign money then how will you manage the money of a country. I think the parents should have helped this child to see better things he can donate to other than a candidate.

I’m a 12-year-old, and an Obama supporter, and I can think of a million things I would rather spend my money on than donating to Barack Obama, like new toys, or a cell phone. To show my support for Obama, I do phone banking for him, that’s free!

Jack
I would not allow my kid to sell their toys to give money to a political anything. I would allow this give away if it would benefit the poor.

Ken

That truly is not the question that needs to be answered. The question is would I vote for a candidate that accepted or would have accepted such a donation? A candidate that Iw oudl vote for would be one that would not accept the donation and explain, the moral issues, of why you have so little and as a politician I have so much.

I understand that the young man is well apprised, no doubt via his parents, they should be commended. But I find something lacking common sense and the morals associated with receiving.

My parents were mad at me when I traded toys with friends Jack. I can’t imagine what they would have said had I pawned them to support a dynastic and wealthy politician; especially a New Yorker. As for me, I wouldn’t let my own children sell off their belongings for a political candidate and if they do, that Playstation 3 will not be under the Christmas tree this year.

Absurb!! That money could have been used by the family to keep up with the soaring prices that our economy is currently facing!

I will let my children, sell their toys to help the needy never the greedy

Actually I would. I’ve been a political junkie since I was 8 years old - the only farm kid in Illinois who listened to every minute of both parties conventions. Even at 70 I remember the tension and drama of all those roll-calls. Perhaps that’s why I have voted in every election.

He should have taken a page out of Hillary’s accountant’s books
and just LOANED the campaign his money!

Who’s to blame, the kids parents for participating in this political hoodwink, or HIllary for actually taking the money. What Hillary should have done is set up a full college scholarship for the kid out of her 10’s of millions. She apparently gets more mileage out of the political side of fleecing the kid. The Clintons only donate to their own charities however.

Jack, As a 16 year old student driver, I would sell them. Not to support a politician, though, but to fill my gas-guzzling truck up.

Yea, sure. The only thing I’d love to see my child doing is giving money to the government, and talking about war and economy problems, give me a break Hillary.

Jack,

Yes I would let the kids sell their toys to donate to a politician, but I’d rather they donated the money to MY gasoline fund!

Carl
Eugene, OR

Not if the politician had no chance of winning.

i’m sure this whole stunt was the idea of the parents. odds are he already has a new bike and and the latest grand theft auto game.

Jack it depends.If the toys were made in china with lead paint,i would much rather just give the canidates these toys in person,

I would allow my child to donate as much money as possible, that is if it were to the Ron Paul Campaign, but unfortunately nobody would ever here about it in the news. I would have to post it on ‘You Tube’

The kid seems genuine enough, but Hillary should have returned the money citing improper vesting, but deepest thanks for the gesture.

Jack:
I’m no kid and my little ones are 2 and 5, but I’d be p