By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Many Americans are hurting - big-time - from a lousy economy. But that doesn't stop the politicians, shameless creatures that they are, from holding their hands out for campaign donations. It's an election year after all.
The latest scheme comes courtesy of President Obama who wants people to give him money in lieu of giving graduation, anniversary, wedding, birthday, bar mitzvah gifts, etc.
This new fund-raising tool lets those who want to contribute set up a gift registry to solicit donations from their friends and loved ones to give to Obama. This in lieu of a gift for your birthday or wedding. The name for this is chutzpah.
The website suggests this is 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." Sure.
As you can imagine, critics and comedians are having a heyday with this.
Jimmy Kimmel suggests it's a "great way for people to lie about getting you a present."
And one guy writes on the campaign's website: "M y 6-year-old just lost a lower incisor. he's going to be so excited when the Tooth Fairy leaves him an obama-biden donation receipt in his name."
Meanwhile the president, Mitt Romney, and the rest of them go right on asking Americans to give them money at a time when millions of Americans can't find a job and 28% of us have no emergency savings.
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Robert in Alabama:
It ranks just below my contribution to the big oil companies at the gas pump so that I can have a "productive" day standing in an unemployment line!
Ralph in Corpus Christi, Texas:
Right below sending money off to one of those star registry gift offers that sell off a star in a loved one's name. As for any political campaign donation requests, what galaxy do they think I'm from?
Kirk in Minnesota:
On a scale of 1 to 10, -37.
Cee:
They don’t, Jack. My 50 cents would be lost amongst the list of large contributors, and so is my voice. And that is the problem with our system. The Supreme Court has silenced the voice of the masses, with its "Citizen United" decision.
Susan in California:
Right up there with elective root canal procedures.
Martha:
A few items south of room fresheners.
Jack in Lancaster, Ohio:
Mr. Cafferty, It would rank the lowest on a special list, the title of which I am sure The Situation Room will not publish.