The Consumerist - POLL: Should Ronald McDonald Retire?

By Chris Morran

After a half century of scaring/entertaining children for McDonald's, a health advocacy group is saying it's time for Ronald McDonald to retire, not because he's getting long in the tooth (and hasn't managed to get any less creepy after all these years), but because they believe he's enticing young kids into eating fast food.

The group, Corporate Accountability International is asking people around the country to sign retirement cards for the ghoulishly pale clown. They plan to throw a retirement party for Ronald on Wednesday at a McDonald's in Chicago, not far from the company's global headquarters in Oak Brook, IL.

But McDonald's says the character of Ronald McDonald is about so much more than selling McNuggets.

"He is the heart and soul of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which lends a helping hand to families in their time of need... Ronald also helps deliver messages to families on many important subjects such as safety, literacy, and the importance of physical activity and making balanced food choices."

Vote in The Consumerist's poll and read the story here.

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