Designer dresses during a recession

The media has pointed out that Obama's wife is wearing $900 dresses while the average hardworking American is trying to decide whether to buy gas or buy groceries ! If this is not elitism what is?

Our potential leaders need to show frugality and respect for the public and for those with median and below-median incomes. A $900 dress would pay rent for someone and $900 could help fund a food pantry, or an orphanage, or help a child. In a Third World country $900 - and that is only one dress in her huge closet - could support an entire family for a year.

Elitism - it is true ! Obama went to Harvard. He only associates with the rich and the empowered. He has never been poor.

This emphasis on the position of being president as a form of American royalty is an insult because we fought a war against England and the royals because we wanted our freedom from elitism and elitists. It was called the War of Independence.

There should be no American royalty and there should not be only rich people in positions of power in this country.

Marie Antoinette said as her French countrymen starved:" Let them eat cake." So this is how it is for the middle class disenfranchised by the elite, the privileged, and the wealthy?

Valerie Benson

Warrenville