I carry a 300 dollar COACH purse...I could give two flips about MO's shoes

[greenbriar]

I am not rich by any means, the purse was a chrismas present. People probably make comments about my purse but I don't care.

I also own two different Harvey's seatbelt bags which are over 150.00 each. Those too were gifts.

if FLOTUS can afford to buy comfortable stylish shoes, I could care less


if that is all they have to gripe about her then they are petty and stupid

all the stupid repukes in my local paper were making a HUGE issue out of this today


some times I just don't understand the "stupid" mentality of the repukes


I know I was pretty vocal about the ignorant that was George W. Bush, but I never went stupid like some things I have been seeing lately.

course in Kansas, we still elect the likes of brownback and tihart so ???

[960]

1. Wait, I thought you hit up food banks to cut down on your grocery bill?

[greenbriar]

4. not me? I did look into the ANGEL food network, but we couldn't use it as hubby is allergic

to wheat


but what does that have to do with the price of beans?

[prolesunited]

214. Yes, and she drives her Cadillac

to the store to shop while wearing a fur coat.

[960]

230. found the thread, would you like a PM?

Despite being a gainfully employed teacher, she was considering using a food bank so she could save money for a cruise vacation.

[Name removed]

232. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[960]

234. Yes, there is something wrong with using a food bank when you don't need it.

They aren't there to enhance your lifestyle, they're there to keep folks from starving.

[prolesunited]

239. Angel Food Ministries is NOT a food bank.

It's more like a nationwide food co-op. You pay for what you receive and there is NO income litmus test.

So, should the OP not shop sales or use coupons since she has fancy purses? There is nothing wrong with saving money if it is done legally and ethically.

[cali]

2. I really don't need to know what kind of handbag you carry

it's not necessary for you to tell us you carry expensive handbags in order to make your point about Michelle Obama's shoes.

[pacalo]

20. Did you take the OP personally?

Are you actively involved in Michelle Obama's choice of shoes?

An opinion was stated & your choice was to reply with a callous, superior tone. It's remarks like yours that put a wedge between DUers. You're still living in the primaries forum days & you'd be wise to drop that divisive attitude.

[cali]

27. um no. I simply think it's unnecessary to let people know

what your handbag cost and what brand it is, in order to to make the point that it's absurd to discuss the price of Michelle Obama's shoes.

And sorry, but YOU are leaping to conclusions, dear. I have no problem with what Michelle Obama pays for her shoes. And no, it has nothing to do with the primaries as I supported Obama before the first primary or caucus.

You fail and no, I'm not remotely interested in your busy body advice.

[pacalo]

38. Some things are more obvious to those looking in from the outside.

Behaving as a self-appointed watchdog of any remark that you perceive to be "against" the Obamas actually does give the impression that you're still longing for the divisiveness of the primaries period.

You fail and no, I'm not remotely interested in your busy body advice.

No kidding, Sherlock. The tone of your posts make it quite evident that you could care less about what impression you're making about yourself.

[CTyankee]

72. My only comment here is that the price of the shoes conflicts with her philosophy of buying Gap

and other chain store outfits. There's a bit of cognitive dissonance, that's all.

Good point about needing to find shoes that fit her size, too. I get that.

My only problem with this whole thing is that it just gets us into another "issue" with the people who want to tear her down.

However, that is really a minor concern when you look at her stratospheric poll numbers with the American people!

[EmilyAnne]

94. Sorry, but I think you are wrong here. I will wear cheap vintage and second hand clothes,

inherited clothes that belonged to my aunt, grandmother, mother and great grandmother, clearance items from Target along with an expensive pair of shoes or bag.

I never buy cheap shoes or handbags because they were most likely made in a third world sweat shop, they fall apart, they can not be repaired or resoled but can only be thrown in the trash and replaced by more junk.

I have a pair of shoes I paid over 400 dollars for that I have been wearing for almost ten years. I have had them resoled a few times. They are gorgeous.
Shoes I buy at Target last about 6 months, tops, and go into the trash.
The materials are so shoddy that there is nothing to attach a new sole to.

I also have a pair of boots that I paid over 300 for that have seen me through Machu Picchu, two long Russian winters during which they were worn for miles every day, hikes through the Appalachian Trail, Sedona etc. Six years and they are still in incredible condition, even having the original soles and shoe laces.

I think a lot of women do this kind of mixing and matching.
Just because Michelle Obama cuts down costs in ways that many other wealthy women do not, doesn't mean she can NEVER have ANYTHING that could be considered a luxury item.

I know you weren't condemning her, I just don't think this is an example of cognitive dissonance.

[EFerrari]

124. Of course it's an example of cognitive disonance.

If you cap your $60 Gap outfit with $500 tennis shoes, there goes your talking point.

Michelle has to decide who she wants to be for the public, that's all. She can't ask people to think of her as a J. Crew mom AND to hear about her $500 tennis shoes from the right wing. It won't work.

[anigbrowl]

156. Why not? I mix expensive and cheap clothes

I'm fine with versatility. It's cool to se her wear something you might see on the bus and have it look good, and it's also cool to see being glamorous. I don't want her to be poverty nun all the time any more than I want her to be haute couture all the time.

[EmilyAnne]

163. You really think she has asked people to think of her as a "J Crew mom?" Seriously?

This is ridiculous.
I guess if her identification must come down to where she shops, it can complicate things when she shops at more than one place.

But as far as I have heard, Michelle Obama has asked to be identified is as Sasha and Malia's mom.
I don't know where this J Crew mom thing comes from.
The media reports where she shops.
The media reports what she wears.
The media is tickled by the "folksiness" of a first lady in J Crew.
But she has always worn other designers.
In fact, the "frumpy" cardigan she dared wear before the queen was by Lanvin.
No stink was made then because that would not have supported the meme of the moment which was that she didn't have the sense to cloth herself properly when meeting a royal family.
You know.
Not elite ENOUGH.

But now let's cast her as an elitist; a hypocrite who dares wear something not from a store that apparently she has asked to be identified with?
Gasp!
I need those smelling salts!

[EFerrari]

165. They criticized Mary Lincoln when she bought enough china

to have state dinners. They criticized her for trying to sell her clothes WHILE Congress was holding up her pension WHILE they criticized her.

This is nothing. lol

[CTyankee]

125. You make a good point. I won't wear 2nd hand clothes. It's just not me.

And i have a helluva time finding clothes that fit me, but that is another issue and it has nothing to do with weight.

My mother's dictive was "Get the best you can get at the best price." And that is mine too. I buy on sale a lot. But I am also retired so I have not a lot of variance in my clothing budget.

I havenot found the idea of "A Coach bag is always fashionable" to be true. I did buy an Coach bag back in1985 when I moved to CT. It is not in fashion today. It is too small, its style is too boxy to be fashionable.

What i do is find a good leather bag at the best price I can from whatever source I can. I don't limit myself. That works wonders!I have bags from Talbot's as well as from lesser companies that serve me well.

Handbags are the LEAST of my worries because, hell, I'm retired!!!

[KakistocracyHater]

179. I agree with you, synthetic leather (pleather) breaks

down really quick & I have only recently noticed how few genuine leather shoes & boots have become; I too have a pair of genuine leather boots I got in the 80s & just got their heels redone. The pleather boots? They have begun to shed 'fishscale' tiny, sticky, pieces of synthetic; the faux snakeskin is in worse shape. Handbags are also listed 'man-made' almost everywhere except in stores from Macy's/Nordstrom & upward.

I wonder what condition Michelle Pfeiffer's catsuits are in today?

[eridani]

192. Not really. Of all my wardrobe expenses, I spend the most on my feet

Odd size, and need orthotics to avoid trashing my whole skeletal system. Expensive shoes that last a long time are actually cheaper in the long run.

I darn socks and mend clothes, and I keep stuff a long time before throwing it out or giving it away.

[joshcryer]

162. I hope the OP bought a fake Chinese replica. My friend sells them, they're great.

They cost her about $50 and she sells them for $250-400 on eBay.

Makes me laugh really.

[bahrbearian]

197. You fail and no, I'm not remotely interested in your busy body advice.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

217. its called personalizing a story and it is important. why must you twist things out of context

[CBR]

3. I agree. I have Coach bags too and, like you, am not rich.

Could care less... When I work hard, I reward myself sometimes.

[virgogal]

11. I only have one type of Coach bag which I replace every 3 or 4

years because I am very hard on bags and don't switch in the summer.

A good,well made bag is the ultimate in economy as far as I'm concerned.

[Captain Hilts]

69. Coach bags aren't what they used to be...

it used to be you could pass them onto your kids or will them to your kids the way dad's navy flight jacket got passed down through the years.

[knitter4democracy]

112. That's what I'm doing with mine.

STBX-MIL talked me into getting one a couple of years back, and I still feel guilty about how much it cost. I'm passing it down to my daughter (she's almost nine--and she knows all about it), come what may.

[Captain Hilts]

142. Cool! They used to be such good leather, it was one of the few items for women...

that you could get repaired.

[knitter4democracy]

220. The leather on mine looks pretty good.

I totally succumbed to temptation that day, but to make up for it, I'm using it every spring and summer for the rest of my life.

[Sheltiemama]

29. One of my Coach bags is a couple of feet away from me right now.

It was a Christmas present from my parents, and I love it unapologetically.

[Captain Hilts]

65. Coach has changed for the worse, but in the past they were really solid and you could pass them on

in your will, kind of like your dad's navy flight jacket. The leather was that good.

They're not like that any more.

[AllieB]

80. They're made in China now. Cole Haan is also.

So much for quality-both are living on their past reputations.

[quiller4]

117. My Coach bags all are labelled "made in USA"

All were purchased between 1988 and 2003. They are the only bags I carry. All were gifts from my husband, the first as a present on our 5th anniversary. We'll celebrate our 25th this year. The oldest bag had its zipper replaced free by Coach. When Coach returned it to me they included a check for my postage. The Coach originals are all still made here. Coach operates two factories in the US. Some of the boutique line sold in the US is made in China but for the most part the Chinese factory makes Coach products for the Asian market. Other items are made in the Dominican Republic.

[Captain Hilts]

143. Great! I'll pay that extra for stuff made in the USA. nt

[shanti]

132. birkenstock too

no longer made in germany.

[Honeycombe8]

74. It all depends on what a person cares about. Some gals have a thing for purses.

For others, it's shoes. For others, it's clothing.

As for me...I'm a practical gal and buy the nicest looking fake leather messenger-type bag I can find at Target. I've rec'd complements on it! Surprised the hell out of me. Does it look cheap? I don't know, and I don't care. Reason I don't care: I could afford any purse I want, but I thrive on being practical and not wasting money on things I don't really want or need (having been really poor before). I like them, and they don't look cheap to me. I also try to avoid buying leather. (Do I really need to kill an animal so that I can have a place to keep my stuff or sit my butt on?)

But I also have a few knock-offs purses. I was on a New York trip, and it was part of my New York experience. Buying from the guy who comes up and says, "Psssst.. Hey, lady, wanna buy a purse?" As he nods his head to a big wadded up sheet on the side of the street. I bought a "Coach," a "Gucci," and a "D&G." They are obvious fakes. But they're my souvenirs.

What DO I spend money on? My dogs. Too much. I'm working on that.

[CBR]

90. I completely understand. I have some knockoffs and

some Target bags as well -- I do think it is my vice. I completely identify with your dog, though. Nothing is too good for my beautiful boxer Abraham. He is the source of my happiness I must admit (and my husband)!

[CTyankee]

139. I have to tell you that I save my money for trips to Europe.

Since I am retired and don't have to "dress" for work I save an awful lot of $$. I bank that in an interest saving account and take a trip to Europe every year. I get to go to fabulous European capital cities with museums that don't cost money or at least not for senior citizens! I mingle with people who care about art and culture. I eat dinner at wonderful little restaurants recommended by hotel desk clerks that are fabulous and inexpensive.

This is my joy. It gives such pleasure. How could a stupid handbag do the same thing?

[burning rain]

183. Gotta love the NYC sidewalk sales.

The $50 "Rolex" ("Fauxlex"?) watches that run on batteries were particularly rich.

[eridani]

193. IOW, you didn't get to be the kind of person who could afford to blow any amount of money on purses-

--by spending your life blowing a lot of money on purses.

[JerseygirlCT]

130. But would it matter any more if you *were* rich?

Rich, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. It's about what you do with it, and how you treat other people. There's no particular virtue attached to being poor, just as there's no particular value in being rich.

[CBR]

134. No it would not... I agree with your sentiment.

[MADem]

5. What's a "seatbelt bag?" Who makes up these expressions?

And who's complaining about Mrs Obama's shoes? She's got big feet, she's probably hard to fit. When she finds something that works, she probably grabs 'em.

Leave her alone, let her wear what she wants. Did she not pay for the shoes? They weren't a gift from some toady shoe designer, were they? You know, like Mrs. Reagan and the dresses?

Christ, the things people obsess over!

[greenbriar]

6. a seatbelt bag is a purse made out of seatbelts they are very cool

strong and sturdy.


www.seatbeltbags.com



really neat

[MADem]

15. Holy mother of pearl!

Those are a bit overpriced! Good thing yours were gifts, I guess.

It is interesting to see what's cool from year to year and decade to decade.

No worse than a "Members Only" jacket, I guess!! I remember when those ugly, overpriced things were all the rage!

[Sheltiemama]

That's the exact one I had!

It was gray, and my parents gave it to me as a Christmas present in my junior year in high school. They were everywhere!

[Quantess]

56. These days, a few hipsters wear "Members Only" jackets to be ironic.

Not many of them, for sure, but I've personally met two.

[Sheltiemama]

32. Do they hold up well?

I've seen those and think they're cool.

[greenbriar]

35. yes they hold up, and they are easy to clean

they have little "feet" on the bottom so the bottom of the purse never touches anything


you can use cleaner to wipe them off


the lining inside is the stuff made from flight jackets. the inside lining doesn't rip like most purses.

You will get tired of your purse before you have to replace it.

[Captain Hilts]

60. I saw one made of license plates on the DC Metro. nt

[luvspeas]

7. Hey! I have big feet! Size 10!...

and I take no offense. You might be right.:)

[MADem]

9. I have an in-law with some massive canoes!

She's very tall, so those canoes are appropriate to her height--she'd look stupid with small feet.

When she finds a pair of shoes that fit good and feel right, she goes back and buys a couple more pairs.

I don't blame her--it got to suck to not be able to buy "off the shelf" easily because the thing you want or need isn't readily available in your size range.

[Control-Z]

53. 'she'd look stupid with small feet'

Had to lol, because my husband is 6'3", with size ten feet. And he does always look like he couldn't possibly stay balanced and upright with feet so small. But they're Barney Rubble type feet. Wide, with the baby toes more on the side than pointing forward. I guess it probably helps with the weight distribution...

[MADem]

59. Yabba dabba DOOOOO!!!

Flintstone feet!

:rofl:

[petronius]

14. That was my question, too - glad I wasn't the only one

Personally, I would never pay large $$ for 'stylish' shoes, watches, wallets, or anything else - but I doubt if I could care any less that other people do...

[MADem]

17. It's what the young do--it identifies them as part of the tribe, I guess.

I'm trying to recall if I did that kind of stuff when I was young...nope, I don't think I did. But then, it was a different time, more anti-materialist. Plus, I spent a lot of years outside the US, and that kind of stuff was just not important.


The greed-is-good attitude started in the eighties--that's really when I noticed people focusing on brand names and silly stuff like that. I think the people who were young in the eighties have passed that attitude on to their kids, a bit.

I can understand the need for younger people to fit in, I just am shocked at how much it costs! The shoes/sneakers, the bags, the "right" cellphone or portable device....it ain't cheap!

[petronius]

26. That's a good synopsis, and I think you're right about the timing of the onset

of conspicuousness trendiness. It's just a habit/need I never developed, I guess, and I typically think that most of the in-fashion top-shelf stuff is pretty ugly. I'm afraid that sometimes I err in the other direction - I'm so determined not to be a trend follower that I risk passing up something that really is worth the money...

[MADem]

36. Heh heh!!!

I think the stuff that passes for fashion is pretty damned ugly, too!

[Withywindle]

167. I think it's ugly too.

Also, y'know, not willing to put HUGE amounts of money into it. (I figure, my efforts to look good are a gift to OTHER people--they're the ones who have to look at me; I don't!). It's why I'm willing to put the time into decent thrift and vintage shops. Not only for saving money, but also the fact that I've found that older clothes are often better made. And I have the body type for 40s/50s dresses, not modern ones.

I resent having to spend a lot of money on clothes. Clothes kind of bore me - if I ever have miraculous amounts of disposal income at my fingertips it's going into books, music, and travel, because that's what I find interesting. I am grateful for the $200 pair of Timberland hiking boots I bought 9 years ago when caught in a blizzard, though - 9 years of Chicago winters later, they're out of fashion but they're still warm, waterproof, and don't slip.

[Control-Z]

68. For shoes, I will pay big $$.

I can't stand to have my feet hurt, so leather is my preference. Vinyl shoes hurt and don't last very long. I've only bought a few pair in my life, and then ended up wearing them only once or twice.

[shanti]

135. exactly

comfort is why i spend bucks on shoes, not fashion, and comfort costs...last longer too.

[Baby Snooks]

109. OMG

"She's got big feet, she's probably hard to fit. When she finds something that works, she probably grabs 'em."

I guess Jimmy Choos are made for women with big feet?

[MADem]

138. They're made for women with big wallets. I'm sure that outfit has sizes

from 0 to 20, or however big you want 'em. Or small. If you're famous and out there, those designers will custom make a size thirty shoe if that's what you wear.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

199. I have big feet too and low top sneakers are the easiest fit. I don't have to pay $500, $20 at

Payless does it (and they were cute). I wear 10 1/2 extra wide and the most I ever paid on a pair of shoes was $70 and $95 for tall leather boots.

[BR_Parkway]

8. I've never understood the fascination with women's shoes and purses

much less the pricing for them. I really don't care who wears what.

[greenbriar]

and that is my point...most of us don't...did we EVER hear about laura's shoe prices?

they are digging for anything they can because Obama is doing a great job under the worst conditions and they want to bring him down

[EFerrari]

89. It's a strange and culty and consumerist obsession.

But, we have people in our culture who cruise foodbanks and then, brag about their multi hundred dollar purses. I don't get it, either. I think purses are the last chains of patriarchy that all women should eschew. lol

[pacalo]

10. I've wondered a long time, seriously...

What do women see in those purses?????

I don't get it. It's the logo print that I can't get past. I have to go with P.T. Barnum on this one.

[cali]

16. most coach bags don't have the stupid logo all over them

and they do last forever.

[WatchWhatISay]

28. ????????????????

The whole thing is all logos, as seen in the picture above
,
I buy my purses from Marshalls. They usaully run $30-40 and I get all kinds of compliments on them. I'd be embarrased to carry a really expensive purse.

But I would also be embarrassed to tell you how much I paid for my dog. She is worth every penny to me.

So I guess my point is, we all do crazy things according to our tastes, and if we can afford to.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

133. I have three leather Coach bags with no logos but for an inside stamp.

But they're from the '80s and '90s and in great shape because I take care of them. If that blinged-out Paris Hilton crap is what they look like now, no thanks.

[Mike 03]

150. This is my understanding too. Coach bags are non descript, but they come with electronic cards

that verify their authenticity.

[tigereye]

225. it's those gorgeous old school leather ones that I always lust after

they are lovely and sturdy. I don't like the ones with logos as a rule.


I don't care what shoes MO wears. She's classy and smart and chic and kind and populist and a caring mom. That's good enough for me.

[CatWoman]

12. must...resist....urge

....to....rip....Greenbriar....off

:)

[greenbriar]

73. haha

how you doing ?

[CatWoman]

137. hanging in there

:hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. We have no right to tell Michelle Obama how to spend her money

If she NEVER gave to charity, the whiners might have a point. But she does and they don't.

[EFerrari]

19. I agree with that. But wearing $500 tennis shoes when people are losing their homes

and going hungry and homeless is stupid if you're the First Lady. It's just dumb PR.

Her tennis shoes won't deprive anyone of their dinner but they do put up a barrier between her and the lives of most people in a difficult time which I'm sure wasn't her intention. It looks as though she doesn't care. That may be unfair but that is the apparency.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. I know plenty of kids who wear $500 tennis shoes

And I can criticize them for wasting hard earned money more easily than I can criticize Michelle Obama for her shoes.

[Zapata09]

33. well, thats mighty F-ed up

[EFerrari]

42. Sure. My only point is, like all those haircuts, these shoes

don't send the message, "your struggle is also my struggle".

[ecstatic]

25. What difference does it make? Do you think people who are

losing their homes will feel jealous of the shoes? That someone on the verge of going homeless has time to wonder about the clothes Michelle is wearing? Help me understand your way of thinking, because I don't get it.

[WatchWhatISay]

34. Yes, I think they would fee resentful

or a little depressed, at least. Can you really not imagine that?

[ecstatic]

46. No I can't. I think they have a ton of more important things on

their mind. I think only petty, jealous people who are not suffering have time to wonder about Michelle's clothes.

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Zapata09]

79. they SHOULD feel resentful!

[EFerrari]

41. Good PR depends upon people being able to relate to you

which hopefully translates into feeling as though you care about them. It's not my way of thinking, it's just the way PR works.

I don't feel anything in particular about these shoes, lol, but it's probably not great PR for Michelle at this point.

[ecstatic]

49. Honestly, I don't pay more than 30-50 for shoes

If I had seen Michelle's shoes, I wouldn't have guessed that they cost that much. Only a fashionista (again, someone with a lot of time on his/her hands) would know that her shoes cost that much. And then only a petty, jealous person would be upset by it.

[greenbriar]

62. I was getting ready to post something in this effect

I have no idea what shoes costs.

I only know how much my purse cost because such a big deal was made out of how special the gift was

My daughter spent one whole check on it because she wanted to do something special

I have an awesome kid

[EFerrari]

64. Well, no. People who are struggling might also feel uncomfortable

and simply calling people names doesn't really change that.

Whatever. Michelle has been in the White House for 100 days or so. Stuff happens. Some days you get targeted by right wing nutcases, some days you don't.

[PassingFair]

240. They just don't GET it, do they?

Marie Antoinette may never have said
"Let them eat cake"...

...but she lived a life of conspicuous
consumption while people within eye-shot
were DYING of malnutrition and disease.



One must be mindful of how one is perceived....

[MADem]

45. If she wore flip flops or a pair of knockoff crocs from the Valu-Mart people would call her a hick

who shouldn't be "allowed" in the East Wing, because she lacked "class."

They're going to go after her no matter what. I don't recall anyone putting price tags on Laura Bush's clothes, so I have to wonder why there's so much interest now in how much Mrs. Obama's stuff costs. I'm guessing Mrs. Bush had a fair-sized budget for her duds, too. I don't recall reading about Laura shopping in the K Mart for the Blue Light Specials, do you?

I think those who write these accounts for the news media, and who pile on should ask themselves why it matters to them so much, and why they contribute to this silly noise. It suggests, rather unsubtly, IMO, a bias and an agenda, these stories.

[greenbriar]

52. exactly

wish we could recommend individual posts

[Name removed]

71. Deleted sub-thread

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[Name removed]

70. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hello_Kitty]

122. Yeah, she should support slave labor by buying cheap tennis shoes.

Lanvin sneakers are made in a factory in Italy, where workers undoubtedly have better wages and conditions than in China or other locales where you think Michelle should be buying her shoes. I only wish I had enough money so that I didn't have to support slave wages in any way. I buy second-hand whenever I can but I don't really think that's a solution because the items were still created by exploitation in the first place.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

201. Very well said. You would think she would know better too.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted sub-thread

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[depakid]

18. It's typically not the brightest PR move to appear ostentatious when helping out at the food bank

Kinda asks for trouble....

[greenbriar]

22. maybe just like my purse, they were gifts?

maybe she has had them for a long time?


either way, it is NOT important


heck, if she wore beat up old chucks someone would be bitching about that too

[depakid]

43. Doesn't matter- it's all about the PR (Chalk it up to a rookie mistake)

and it does matter in that respect.

[EFerrari]

44. Generally, people decide what is important to them on their own. n/t

[Mojorabbit]

88. I agree

Bad pr move. But then again, as an old hippy I have never been one for keeping up with the latest fashions and I would never pay 500 bucks for a pair of shoes. We expect and admire in this country our movie stars and other elites to buy expensive suits and dresses that cost more than most people make in a year. One of those weird American idiosyncrasies.

[depakid]

98. I think back to "The Haircut."

Caused Edwards a lot of unnecessary grief... but it wouldn't have merited a raised eyebrow if it were Romney.

[etherealtruth]

23. Many of us have our guilty pleasures ...

... and extravagances. I'm not proud of mine but I also don't think they make me a "bad" person; simply a person with foibles and faults.

[Poll_Blind]

24. I've purchased my girlfriend three $200-300 Dooney and Burke purses.

Got them at a thrift store over the course of a few years. The particular store would occasionally get very nice things. No, they aren't fakes. Most expensive one was $35. The rest were over $20 but under $35.

I really hate brands, generally, but Dooney and Burke makes damned good leather purses. When I see someone with nice clothes, I don't always assume they're rich. In fact, unless they look like a fool in them, I try not to think much about people's clothes.

People spend money on all kinds of different things. The only time I have a problem is when someone, for whatever reason, wears expensive clothes but pretends they eschew such things. Maybe you remember McCain's $600 elephant skin golf shoes/loafers.

How's that different than Michelle Obama's $545 dollar shoes?

Well, firstly, John McCain is a big fucking dick. Wait. There's a couple of other points but they aren't that important. John McCain is a big fucking dick for a whole goddamned rainbow of reasons.

The motherfucker would get us into more wars, he's pro-torture, and he's generally a nasty piece of right-wing, pandering trash. So it doesn't matter what the fuck shoes he wears, I'm going to find some reason to hate his ass for it.

Michelle Obama? Ya know, last I remember the lady wasn't trying to dismantle The Constitution or running for president. She's well-educated, well-paid and her husband just made a mint on the sales of great book.

But mostly, she's not trying to fucking tear down my country. Michelle, you enjoy yourself, goddamnit.

If Michelle Obama boneheadedly posted "I just bought a pair of $545 shoes- ask me anything!" on DU, I'd probably climb up one side of her ass and down the other about it, though, cause that's senseless crowing.

There. All better.

PB

[WatchWhatISay]

37. I like what you said

And especially the way you said it.

[ecstatic]

30. Can a kind freeper and /or DU fashion police officer please provide a list

of what is and isn't acceptable to wear while VOLUNTEERING time out of my day to help the needy? I've heard little things here and there about what is and isn't appropriate but I'd like to see the full list so I can be sure not to offend someone standing in line. :eyes:

Thanks in advance!

[EFerrari]

47. Freepers, fashion police. 'Way to elevate the discussion!

[MADem]

85. If you're a new first lady, why, only sackcloth and ashes will do!

:sarcasm: for the irony-impaired....

[Baby Snooks]

144. Well, I've "stood in line...."

Just last week as a matter of fact. Every once in awhile one of the "volunteers" apparently is on her way to a "late lunch-with-the-ladies at the country club" and I've been tempted to ask why she doesn't sell the ring and donate the proceeds instead of her time.

Sorry but all the pros and cons aside the food bank, even a photo-op at a food bank, is not the place for the expensive designer pieces. Or the 40 carat diamond rings.

I depend on the kindness of strangers and the occasional check someone sends me for work I've done, occasionally for contract PR work I might add, and so I can commment both about the food pantries and the PR and this was bad PR but as I posted somewhere else I don't really blame Michelle Obama I blame her press secretary who should have known better. But then all the new press secretaries along with the new first ladies usually get baptized by bonfire so to speak.

The outgoing president always leaves behind a little note for the incoming president. Perhaps the outgoing first lady's press secretary should leave behind a "How to" manual for the incoming first lady's press secretary.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Speck Tater]

39. I paid 50 cents at a garage sale for my fanny pack. nt.

[Quantess]

77. Sorry to tell you, but you overpaid!

:D

[Speck Tater]

121. But, but,... It's genuine leather. :) nt

[devilgrrl]

40. I have a $400 Marc Jacobs purse...

Sorry. I wanted a really nice purse and that one is exactly what I had in mind. I'll never need a nice black purse ever again. :shrug:

[Honeycombe8]

63. Anyone ever tell you you look a lot like Bobby Jindal?

:rofl:

[devilgrrl]

149. Yes. All the time. Then they say "Hey! Nice purse!"

:silly:

[Sheltiemama]

153. Oooo, he has nice purses.

I bet it's gorgeous.

[Medusa]

152. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is probably not the thread

where I should I mention I own a Bottega Veneta then :hide: It was a gift from my husband. And I love it and am completely unapologetic about it. Ditto for the Hermes bag I found in a Paris Flea market over 20 years ago, still love it and it looks absolutely fabulous even now. Good shoes and good handbags can last years if you take care of them. Isn't that more economical than constantly replacing cheap crap that's made in a third-world country somewhere? :shrug:

[Sheltiemama]

155. I'm drooling.

Bottega Veneta bags are gorgeous! Hermes isn't too shabby, either. :)

[Raksha]

48. The thing is, the Repukes consistently scrutinize Democrats for politically correct proletarianism,

more than other Democrats would ever dream of doing. And if they spot the smallest item they consider overly trendy and/or expensive, they jump all over it and accuse the wearer of "hypocrisy." That's the whole point of this idiocy. However, I don't recall Michelle Obama swearing when her husband took office that she would never carry a handbag that cost over a certain amount. Republican first ladies are allowed all the conspicuous consumption they want, because after all *THEY* don't pretend to be anything but elitist. But there's a whole different standard for Democratic first ladies. See how it works?

[EFerrari]

55. You're right about that. Democratic political wives are supposed to churn butter

sew all their own clothes, and walk in the snow uphill in both directions.

[Dreamer Tatum]

166. To be fair, we watch their every private misstep and howl about "family values" when they slip up

they have their thing, we have ours. It's the way the battle lines are drawn.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

50. Hah you should have heard PUMA extraordinaire Lynn Samuels spend a whole 2 hour show on this shit.

The incredible bitterness. Then called Obama's mother a slut, literally, but then "balanced" that by saying the same thing about Bill Clinton's mother. :eyes:

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

93. Actually I'm not feeling bitter since my candidate won both the primaries and election, and I'm very

happy about the job he's doing so far.

[Captain Hilts]

54. If they were made in the USA it's okay. nt

[Baby Snooks]

140. What on earth is made here anymore?

Most everything these days is made in Hong Kong. Well, shipped out of Hong Kong anyway. Most of it actually made in China or Indonesia in sweat shops.

[Baby Snooks]

146. UNITE HERE

UNITE HERE is what's left of what was originally the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and Michelle Obama may be helping them immensely along with the designers. Many of her designers probably employ American garment workers who are members of UNITE HERE. Right here. Not somewhere else. Hopefully they do anyway.

If they do hopefully someone will pick up with it and run with it and put a nicer spin to this.

[BlooInBloo]

57. Apparently you missed the memo. Anyone who doesn't live like a refugee cannot be liberal.

[Name removed]

58. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Vinca]

61. Well I have a $400 Coach bag . . .

brand new, authentic, and found at a church bazaar for $3.00.:woohoo: (I suspect people think I've got money . . . I found out one person believed I owned an expensive antique shop nearby. If they only knew what a peasant I really am.) Michelle should wear what she wants no matter what it costs. They earned their money, they give plenty to charity, they ought to be able to spend it however they please. You can't take it with you.

[Sheltiemama]

158. That's the find of the century!

Congrats! Woohoo, indeed.

[Solly Mack]

67. I own 2 Louis Vuitton scarves

Everyone be impressed now, please. Bow down and worship my complete and total awesomeness.


I got them at a thrift store here in Germany. I paid 1.75 a piece. (and yes, they're the "real" thing)

Now if I only knew what to do with them. lolololololol

[NuttyFluffers]

75. empathy with the needy necessitates all les miserables accoutrement, like rags for clothes...

otherwise how can we truly know it's sincere? i mean, if i didn't see a caricature of poverty amid doing charity work, then how can she be doing good work? the real humanitarian, just like the real artiste, needs to perpetually wallow in all the vagaries of human suffering -- even if only as pretense -- to fully bring out the best in their labors. how can it be not so?


oh, my 4 o'clock thrashing by The Man (tm) is here, please excuse me... :spank:
:cry: look at me, look at me! i am feeling the burden of the entire world! mine is the one and only honest expression of empathy and humanity! lead ye not astray into the false path of charity...

[EFerrari]

82. No need to exaggerate. Michelle went out of her way to show off her J. Crew label.

This SHOE THING just makes her look a little inconsistent.

[AllieB]

95. I have clothes from Target, Marshall's, and Consigment stores, and Louis Vuitton purses.

I don't see anything inconsistent. Many women spend their money on shoes and purses because it's important that shoes fit properly, and many women don't change out purses with every outfit.

[EFerrari]

104. I know. But we're not the First Lady.

[Baby Snooks]

113. Bingo!

"Michelle went out of her way to show off her J. Crew label."

And if she hadn't gone out of her way to show it off, no one would have minded the Lanvin sneakers so much.

[EFerrari]

116. I'm glad I'm not the First Lady because while I might wear an expensive label one night,

on the next one I'm going to be in old, no label jeans and a holey sweatshirt. Maybe mismatched socks, too. :)

[eowyn_of_rohan]

76. You COULD care less or you COULDN'T care less?

4 or 5 people here say they COULD care less. This means they care. This is just a little pet peeve of mine ;)

[greenbriar]

78. well, I was going to say I couldn't give two shits about it

but decided to not say it like that :)

[eowyn_of_rohan]

243. That's very admirable

:-)

[calimary]

87. Hey! Finally somebody sorts that one out for me!

Thanks! Funny enough, I've been ruminating over that one for a long time, along with "irregardless" and "well, the problem is, is that..." little nitpicks along those lines. Actually have been known to spend time pondering these things. Go figure. And sometimes in more of my addled moments, I find it hard to comb all the hairballs out of that particular verbiage. :P

Sorry - didn't mean to change the subject. I, too, couldn't give two hoots about Michelle's shoes. She already does enough already for J. Crew and other low-to-mid-priced lines, plus patronizing her local boutiques in Chicago AND wearing lots of American designers - especially the young and undiscovered. She's helping the American fashion business and modeling how you don't have to spend a fortune or invest in big-ticket designers to look chic. We would NOT have had that concept embodied by a First Lady Cindy McCain. I think Michelle is entitled. Don't forget, contradicta likely ran up bigger bills - Ferragamos aren't cheap. I'm biased, though - Major-League Michelle Obama fan here.

[ismnotwasm]

81. How much are Barack 's shoes? n/t

[Critters2]

83. You care so little that you started the third thread here about it.

But, of course, in the process, you got to tell us that you own expensive shit, too. Well, congratulations on your consumerism.

[greenbriar]

86. yea, cause that was totally the point ;)

but whatever

[mariawr]

84. How about Condi Rice in 2005?

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2005/09/01/615/28014


"Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, “How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!” Never one to have her fashion choices questioned, Rice had security PHYSICALLY REMOVE the woman."
Women just like their shoes.
GMAB.

[cwydro]

91. What is a seatbelt bag?

I must really be out of the loop.

[greenbriar]

97. Purses made from seatbelts

www.seatbeltbags.com



started out by a guy restoring an old car...made a purse for his wife from the left over seatbelt material...

now it is a multi-million dollar industry

[smalll]

96. So you're not rich. You just have generous rich friends.

Good for you. :eyes:

[greenbriar]

99. no, my daughter spent one paycheck to buy me the purse for christmas

because she wanted to do something special


it was a really cool mother daughter moment!!!


the seatbelt bags my hubby got in different years

[firedupdem]

100. I agree with your post. Who cares what Michelle wears or buys

with her money? Actions speak louder than words. Anybody that has time to be outraged about her shoes must have nothing else to concern themselves with.

[greenbriar]

101. EXACTLY

and I am sure ole laura pickles had some expensive but UGLY shoes

never heard one word about it

[EFerrari]

105. Oh, please. This whole culture is obsessed with appearances.

Why do you think OCTOMOM hired a publicist?

[firedupdem]

107. I wouldn't compare octomom with the outrage over the first lady's

shoes. She's not poor. She can buy what she wants. Why is she being held to pauper standards? Hell, my kids wear 100 dollar gym shoes and I'm not nearly in their tax bracket. Who cares? When Michelle starts treating people like second class citizens and thumbing her nose at the less fortunate, I'll go into outrage mode.

[EFerrari]

110. I don't think the First Lady wants the public to think of her as a rich person.

Do you?

[firedupdem]

114. I think that Michelle wants people to see her giving her time in

service to the less fortunate. I wouldn't think people glossing over that and going into outrage over the cost of her sneaks makes much sense. So she's basically damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. She's the only first lady I can remember that takes criticism because she doesn't wear some rich designers fashions every day of the week. She dresses more like myself than any other first lady I can remember. Who else comes out in capri's and flats for photo ops? She isn't poor. She wasn't poor before this all began. Instead of looking at the bigger picture, people concentrate on the cost of her sneaks. That seems backwards to me.

[EFerrari]

115. So, it really is up to her to fashion her message.

You can't beat people up for noticing what they notice. Sure, this was a right wing hit piece. But, she gave them the opportunity. I doubt she'll let that happen again.

[firedupdem]

118. EFerrari, I'm sure it will be something else. She doesn't dress

nicely enough, she dresses too nicely. Her hair is in a pony tail, it's not in a pony tail. They will find something no matter what. That is why I try to look at her actions before the cost of her clothing.

[EFerrari]

119. Yes, you're right. It will always be something.

And if she doesn't give the locusts such an opening, she'll have a better time of it.

[firedupdem]

123. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree...I guess if it were cindy

mccain or anyone else it wouldn't be an issue. But Michelle has to stay within a certain price range. Got it.

[EFerrari]

126. If that's the image she wants, she does. I fully expect the right wing

to attack her even worse then they attacked Hillary Clinton as First Lady. They have many more years of practice by now. Michelle is a smart person. She has to know that.

[Hello_Kitty]

127. Sorry but that smacks of 'if you'd stop talking back to him he'd stop hitting you'

The fact is that bullies will ALWAYS bully, no matter what their victims do.

[EFerrari]

128. How you get that out of my post is more about your reading than my posting. n/t

[shanti]

151. cindy mccain

probably wouldn't have even volunteered to do what MO did, and if she had, does anyone really think she'd have been wearing walmart sneakers?

geez, if someone didn't tell me those were $500 shoes, i wouldn't even have known. they're rather ugly, imo. i say leave michele alone.

[EFerrari]

106. The problem is, you can't ask the average person to care

if Michelle goes to a soup kitchen but not if she wears $500 tennis shoes. PR doesn't work that way.

[firedupdem]

108. Why not? She has to dress a certain way to help out the less fortunate?

I would have more of a problem with her if she didn't go into soup kitchens. I think we're asking a bit much here. She didn't roll into the soup kitchen in a full length mink coat and demand that nobody touch her. Come on..

[EFerrari]

111. Michelle is entirely in charge of her public image. n/t

[Obamanaut]

102. I have a wallet with a chain on it. I wear work shoes from Sears.

I really don't care if people have more costly stuff than I have, because I don't hate the "evil rich" nor am I afflicted with the dreaded "wealth envy."

My house, motorcycle, car, and two recumbent bicycles are paid for. I have enough stuff. When I need or want more stuff, I go get it.

I WANT the POTUS and FLOTUS to have nice stuff. It would look shabby indeed for them to be seen with a wallet with a chain on it while wearing work shoes from Sears.

[Mike 03]

103. The people here at DU convinced me that I was wrong on this issue, and I agree that MO should buy or

wear whatever she wants to. This was totally different than the Condoleza Rice situation with Katrina, and I'm grateful that you all pointed this out to me.

Having said that, just speaking for myself, I am intentionally not wearing a lot of flashy stuff or obviously expensive clothing right now, just because I think it is inappropriate for the place where I live. Maybe in some cities it would be appropriate, but it would not be here. That is just a personal decision and a shuffling of priorities on my part.

[Hello_Kitty]

120. Yeah, why is it people are only concerned about the price of your stuff if you are a Dem or liberal?

And don't tell me it's because we are supposed to represent the working class. Conservatives have been playing their followers with that salt-of-the-earth faux populist shit for decades now. But you never see any of them getting a ration of crap about how much their clothes or haircuts cost unless they are really obnoxious about it like the Palins using RNC funds.

[harun]

129. Repukes don't argue that point correctly. The point should be about how generous

someone is in terms of helping the needy. If they are blessed enough to afford such things and still give a portion to charity that is great. However if they are blessed with wealth, don't buy such things and never help the needy to a Repuke they will think this type person is better. While this person is not. Repuke worship greed.

[blogslut]

131. My hope is that the general populace has grown weary

of all this nit-picky crap.

[Blue Diadem]

136. I carry a $15.00 bag from one of the discount stores.

I bought it on sale so long ago I have no idea where it was purchased. I also don't give two flips about what shoes the FLOTUS wears or how much she spent on them. She always looks stylish and nice. She represents out country and is expected to look the part and she does.

[earth mom]

141. What bothers me is that "MO" spent what many people in this country make in a week on shoes! & then

she wore those shoes to a homeless shelter! A HOMELESS SHELTER! As in NO home-NO money-not even $540 to get a rented home.

:wtf:

This kind of behavior proves once again that the rich and powerful are completely and totally out of touch with the masses.

Just like Marie Antoinette...



p.s. My purse was $25 bucks at Target and I just spent $80 bucks on a pair of Keens that I feel guilty about. Just sayin'.

[WestSeattle2]

145. I could care less what she paid for shoes....

it's the lack of judgment that surprises me. Wearing expensive shoes/clothes to a homeless shelter when she knew camera crews would in tow and focusing on her, strikes me as something a naive and/or political novice would do. MO is certainly neither. When you have millions of people aiming to take you down, the last thing you do is hand them ammunition. I'm sure she regrets the wardrobe decision and looks forward to refocusing the spotlight on substantive issues. Let's chalk this up to a wardrobe malfunction and move on.

[Obamanaut]

148. In the unlikely event I ever meet the Obama family, I would expect

them to be wearing good stuff. They live in the White House for heaven's sake. He earns $400,000 a year, and pays no rent or utilities - I think they can afford stuff. They have worked hard for what they have, and their parents worked hard before them. They deserve good stuff.

I WANT the POTUS and FLOTUS to dress well. If they are on the basketball court, I WANT them to be wearing really good stuff, not crappy stuff from the dollar store.

Last week my wife bought a pair of SAS shoes for just over $100, and I don't feel guilty for shit. She wanted them, they felt good, we got them. Just sayin'.

[earth mom]

164. Let the Obamas spend and flaunt their money when they are out of office.

Right now this country is in a depression, people are losing jobs and homes right and left, and it's just common sense for the Obama's to be mindful of that.

BTW, I didn't say that the Obama's should outfit themselves at the dollar store or thrift store, c'mon now. :eyes:

[JI7]

175. flaunting their money ? you act like they are building this

[earth mom]

180. A private citizen owns that house does he not? He is not someone who is an elected official

who works FOR the people.

BIG difference.

[JI7]

181. Michelle Obama isn't an elected official either

[Obamanaut]

198. Yes, it is true that some folks are losing their homes. If we carry this

example to an extreme, the Obamas should not visit the sick in hospitals because they are flaunting their health. They should not live indoors, because some people live under overpasses.

Raised the way they were, do you really think the Obamas are NOT mindful of what is going on with people?

If I were eating at a soup kitchen, and the President's wife showed up dressed shabbily, I would resent the condescension. And, it would probably be reported in all the tabloids, and bandied about among the "wealth envy" and "hate the evil rich" crowds that she was merely presenting a facade.

[Lisa0825]

157. You are assuming she spent it....

I didn't read every post in this thread, but did anyone prove she BOUGHT the shoes? Could they have been a gift?

BTW, the $200 Coach purse I was given as a gift years ago lasted me 3 years, whereas my Target purses (which I usually buy for myself) generally last 4 to 6 months. Name brand isn't all about prestige... it is often also about actual quality, no matter how much purists want to deny that.

[earth mom]

161. Who doesn't like good quality? But there are good quality shoes you can buy for under $100 bucks.

When someone spends a few hundred dollars on up on shoes, purses or clothes, it's not about the quality but about the name brand.

Maybe the shoes were a gift, but....

I really don't think any of us here on DU can deny that the rich and powerful are getting more and more out of touch and to them $540 is the same as $50 bucks is to the rest of us.


These are people who think nothing of kicking Union workers to the curb while they give taxpayer money to greedy banks who don't deserve one thin dime.

These are people who think health care for everyone is not a pressing need but pouring money into a long drawn out war based on a lie is an absolute must.

These are people who don't give a flying fuck about any of us because we don't individually donate sizable sums to their campaigns.


Shoegate is just another example in a very long list of the same old shit, different day.

[JI7]

172. hahhaha, you compare shoegate to starting a war based on lies ?

even using campaign funds to pay off your mistress isn't on that level. hahahha

[Quantess]

176. "Shoegate"?

I don't believe for a second you coined that phrase yourself.

[earth mom]

178. Yep, because that's what this whole thing is turning into on this thread.

:eyes:

[Quantess]

185. No, really, I hadn't heard/seen the term "shoegate" anywhere else.

Your use was the first occurrence of the term "shoegate" I had ever seen.

I was just thinking that, since you flung the term around so readily, that you heard it somewhere else first?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

209. It IS about the quality. You are wrong, most of the time.

The sneakers are undoubtedly high quality, being made in Italy. Yes they are ugly.

I buy Italian shoes b/c they make them in MY SIZE, which is quite narrow. I rattle in the cheap ($50-80) shoes at Macy's for example. Even the Narrow (N) size is too wide for me.
And they are stiff as a board.

I wear an 8 Triple-A ladies. The narrowest size is a Quadruple-A. I also have to put gripper material on the heels. My heels are so narrow that I will fall out of shoes with no strap over the instep.
I can't wear cheap shoes except flip flops and sneakers. Cheap shoes are poor economy, as my Mom always told me.

I inherited the skinny feet from Dad. Dad wore Ballys.

I will wear cheap clothes before I will wear cheap shoes. People in this thread have mentioned SAS shoes as being "expensive". Well, they don't go to a triple-A, they don't make my size.

I have paid as much as $325.00 for a pair of Ferragamos or Bruno Maglis. I get them resoled and re-heeled. They will last for years.

[earth mom]

210. I'm wrong most of the time-WTF? So are you saying that you are the last word on every fucking thing?

Wow-this is about the most unbelievable, holier than thou post I've ever read on DU! :thumbsdown:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

227. I was not clear. Most of the time about SHOES.

Everyone has different feet. Maybe you can wear cheap shoes and not get blisters. More power to ya.

I said I wore cheap sneakers. And flipflops.

Did I say I wanted to stop other people from buying shoes and purses they like???

Hell no. YMMV.

Chill, please.

:shrug:

[joshcryer]

160. MO spent more on shoes than I do my rent. The OP here could almost pay my rent.

For a month.

[JI7]

168. so homeless people are not worthy of wearing expensive clothes around ?

it's not like she dined on some expensive gourmet meal while the rest were fed something cheap .

[earth mom]

169. Flaunting wealth is never a kind thing to do to those who are poor or struggling.

You know that-so quit trying to twist my post into something it's not. :eyes:

[JI7]

171. i wouldn't even know those shoes are expensive based on the way they look

you act as if she was wearing a bunch of diamonds and other jewels.

[earth mom]

173. I'm not "acting" one way or another. I'm stating a fact that you don't want to hear while you look

for reasons to excuse Michelle Obamas behavior.

[JI7]

174. what behavior ? i have walked down streets with homless people in downtown LA

with expensive stuff. you can't avoid it.

you think hiding anything expensive from poor people is what will fix things ?

you think homeless people care about what the person who wants to help them is wearing ?

Michelle is doing a lot for the country as first lady, it says a lot you have to hang on to this stupid shit to criticize her.

[earth mom]

177. Yep-I do think homeless people would be upset if they knew how much those shoes cost.

Quit blaming the messenger-because I'm not the one wearing overpriced ridiculous shoes around the homeless who can't even afford a place to live.

[JI7]

182. homeless people know those who help them out have a lot more than they do

i'm pretty sure they don't care or even know how much those shoes are worth.

[Quantess]

186. To be fair...do you think the same could be said about the Bush family,

and Condi Rice's awkwardly timed shoe-shopping extravaganzas?

edit spelling

[earth mom]

211. * & Condi are far worse-no question about that. They've both gotten their share of vitriol from me.

Especially during and after Katrina. :grr:

[Obamanaut]

204. Bush was made sport of when he showed up at various disaster

sites with his blue shirt sleeves rolled up, pretending to be a worker. He was made sport of when he held a hammer in an amateurish way when pretending to help with a Habitat for Humanity house. He was called a poseur. Edited to add - Don't forget the flight suit episode.

FLOTUS shows up with her expensive shoes, and people seem to want her to likewise be a poseur.

Homeless/poor people know she has wealth. I think they like her anyway.

BTW, I used "poseur" rather than "poser" even though it does seem to flaunt my ownership of a dictionary.

[ecstatic]

241. STOP hiding behind the poor and struggling

It's not them with the problem, it's YOU!

At the end of the day, this FAUX-troversy is about people hiding behind the poor to attack Michelle Obama. The truly poor--people who are truly struggling and losing their homes, do not have time to notice which labels Michelle is wearing.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

207. Did you also complain about John Edwards' house?

:eyes:

[earth mom]

212. Is Edwards in office? NO. Your comparison is b.s. nt

[Starbucks Anarchist]

213. Is Michelle in office?

Did we elect her for anything?

And BTW, Edwards had that gargantuan house when he was campaigning against poverty, genius.

[earth mom]

218. Whatever Michelle Obama does reflects on her husband. Everyone knows that.

And I'll admit Edwards isn't perfect and has made some huge mistakes that he apologized for, but that seems to mean nothing here on DU.

The fact is that both Obama's have proven themselves to be out of touch with the middle class, working class and poor.

I posted solid examples upthread proving this.

Yet people like you continue to argue with me about it tooth and nail like it's my fault they are so out of touch.

FYI-their mistakes-that they NEVER apologize for mind you-are NOT my fault.

And Edwards owning a big house does NOT have a fucking thing to do with how the Obama's behave towards the people they actually WORK FOR.

The double standard around here is mind boggling. :crazy:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

219. That didn't answer my question at all.

And Edwards owning a big house does NOT have a fucking thing to do with how the Obama's behave towards the people they actually WORK FOR.

Considering he lived in that house WHILE campaigning against POVERTY is important, not to mention his $400 haircut, for God's sake.

And what examples of Barack Obama himself prove him "out of touch"?

[earth mom]

222. Read post 161.

And again, what the fuck does Edwards have to do with Obama's presidency?

Edwards is done politically, stick a fork in him.

Obama, however is the president and needs to get his shit together and help the people who elected him or they will turn on him.

Just like people around here have turned on Edwards.

Make no mistake about that!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

223. Ah, the post where you dubbed this nonsense as "Shoegate."

:rofl:

Pretty much destroys your credibility.

And again, what the fuck does Edwards have to do with Obama's presidency?

Oh, I don't know, your constant cries of Edwards being so much better than Obama vis-a-vis poverty while ignoring his far more expensive purchases than either of the Obamas.

Exhibit A:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5566686&mesg_id=5567431

In that same thread, you accepted Edwards apologizing for the IWR vote, Bankruptcy Bill, etc., while ignoring the fact that he initially voted for those things, so it's clear that St. Johnny can do no wrong by you.

[earth mom]

224. Yes, I do think Edwards was a better choice, but admit he's not perfect so stop twisting my words

around because you don't like the truth I've pointed out about Obama.

As for credibility, you have none because all you are doing is playing bullshit games while refusing accept the truth that Obama, as president, needs to get his shit together.


p.s. I could give a flying fuck what you think about me.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

226. What truth?

The mistakes you're attacking Obama for pale in comparison to Edwards' mistakes (IWR, etc.).

I never said Obama didn't make mistakes. I'm just curious why Edwards' far larger mistakes (even just the political ones) seem to be okay with you.

I could give a flying fuck what you think about me.

You're assuming I even think about you at all. What an ego on you.

[TooRaLoo]

228. Oh good GRIEF

She grew up in a family who had to share SPOONS. They couldn't even afford one fucking SPOON per person! "Out of touch" indeed. This is such a ridiculous thing to nitpick about.

[Deja Q]

147. I own two Macintosh computers. I am an elitist and therefore snobby and evil.

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

I am, however, cool and really good in bed.

[madamesilverspurs]

154. My current purse

cost a little over $160,000. It's the shoulder bag that carries my oxygen cannister. Basic black, so it goes with everything. It has a couple of little pockets where I tuck my driver's license, a lipstick, and a small wallet, and there's a small loop where I can hang my keys. The ensemble is completed by the doctor-recommended sneakers that don't even come close to matching the bag. And the only bling I have is the smile that comes with being alive and breathing.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

238. madamesilverspurs

:hug:

[joshcryer]

159. You are part of the problem.

Emphasis on "the problem."

[bridgit]

170. Wonderful! Now I know *I* feel like a bent penny I don't even own a purse...

Just a big red Okidata bag with all my stuff stuffed in there :cry:

[burning rain]

184. Bah, pay no mind to this infantile 'Publican poutrage.....

even in 1950* this line that Democrats need to wear potato sacks in order to be credible as advocates for the poor and working folks, was damn tedious.

-------------------------------

* If you're guessing that I have in mind Richard Nixon's stupid, demagogic, and successful California Senate campaign against Helen Gahagan Douglas in that year, you win!

[Warren DeMontague]

187. *

[Sherman A1]

188. My wife has several Coach bags,

we buy them on vacation at outlet malls in the areas of our Autumn road trips. So with a little planning and a bit of luck we get them for some very, very good prices.

[Norrin Radd]

189. Sometimes price does equal quality.

My girlfriend felt guilty paying for her John Fluevog boots, but they really are well-crafted. But I agree, having something pricey does not equal excess. Those criticizing her are forgetting how wealthy the Bush and Cheney clans are, or the McCains, for that matter.

[EFerrari]

190. DU can rationalize anything. No one needs $500 worth of quality

in TENNIS SHOES.

And the Bushes or McWars did not hold a gun to Michelle's head when she chose to buy those shoes, let alone, when she chose to wear them to a homeless shelter.

Good grief.

[Norrin Radd]

191. How unfriendly. Please don't refer to me as the unspecific "DU."

It looks cowardly. If you have something to say to me, address me directly. I am not rationalizing anything. And, for your information, I haven't seen the news today, so I didn't know the circumstance, as the OP didn't include particulars.

[EFerrari]

194. When I need someone to rewrite my posts, I'll let you know.

:)

[struggle4progress]

195. Coming up next: "She better be white after Memorial Day!"

[WilliamPitt]

196. I once told the Lounge about the dinner tab I paid for a friend's 30th birthday party.

It turned into a 300-post flame-fest/attack on me for...well, read up. You're hearing a lot of the same shit.

I appreciate your point and agree with it. But don't share that stuff on this board, unless you fancy getting kicked in the head for your trouble.

There are lots of people here who are like crabs in a bucket, looking to pull you down to wherever they are out of spite, jealousy, because they missed their medication, etc. Alas.

And yeah, I couldn't give a single shit about MO's shoes, either.

[Triana]

200. they're projecting again - do we NEED to bring up Palin's wardrobe?

Or is that somehow "different" when a Repub woman does it?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

202. I have several $350+ Kenneth Cole bags that I paid a total of $100 for on Ebay. I would

never, ever spend more than $50 for a good leather bag and never ever, no matter how much money I had, pay $500 for a pair of sneakers. And yes, I have big hard to fit feet... Tennis shoes are the easiest to find and cute ones too for under $30.00.

Michelle can buy and wear what ever she wants, but I would think she would have the common sense to appreciate how many people out here in the real world are suffering and be a little more practical about the way she spends her money. Maybe it's just me, but I expect her to be more thoughtful in her spending than Laura Bush or Cindy McCain....

[MrsBrady]

203. sometimes I think the press expects her to walk around in a potato sack

it's 2000freaking9

she can wear whatever she damned well pleases.

[Obamanaut]

208. I think some here do also, if she is not at a state dinner. nt

[glitch]

205. So do I, and I got it for $20 on ebay.

Plus $10 shipping of course. I do almost all my shopping at thrift stores. I've done this since high school. I've worked in the corporate sphere in SF, Seattle, NYC and Philadelphia.
And people tell me I look good.

You really can't tell how much people spend on their wardrobe, only idiots would make an issue out of it.

[RubyDuby in GA]

206. I would write back in and ask one simple question to the idiot repukes in your town:

Yes, she may wear very expensive shoes, but was she shoe shopping for them while New Orleans was drowning during Katrina, ala Condi Rice?

[LynneSin]

215. MODERATES ***ALERT *** ALERT *** ALERT **** Ban the intruder!!!!.....

(just kidding).

I care a $250 Michael Kors purse and swap that between my Dooney & Burke and a vintage Coach purse I found.

[mrbarber]

216. Wasn't it a a charity auction?

So what's the big deal?

[JuniperLea]

221. I work in downtown LA... the streets are flooded with Coach knockoffs...

There are so many knockoffs around that I'm embarrassed to use my authentic French and Coach bags... got tired of being asked where I got them. Then I realized what a joke the whole thing is... but I still use the French bags my Dad gave me once in a while, but rarely to work.

After years of abusing my feet with cheap heels, I'm now forced to buy very, very good shoes. Wish I'd known what I was doing to my feet! The cheapest shoes I can wear are clogs... and they start at $120. My dress shoes run $300.

[Hamlette]

229. a couple of weeks ago they were ragging on her for dressing "common".

after the Clinton impeachment and letting W ruin the economy and our reputation you just have to accept that they will criticize anything because that's all they got.

It is too damned hard to sell people on giving to the rich.

[Raejeanowl]

231. Yes, More Important Things

I don't really care about the provenance of Ms. Obama's shoes as long as they were legally obtained, and not paid for by the taxpayers. On the other hand, I don't agree that 1) they're particularly attractive, or 2) were justified in price somehow because her large feet are so hard to fit. My own feet are larger, and I wouldn't pay that for sneakers if I had millions to burn.

But it's her choice, and not worth a cause celebre' except to the opposing party. However, the point that her blind defenders are missing, and it's the small kernel of truth the repukes are opportunistically steaming into a big bucket of popcorn, is that maybe, just maybe, there was a more sensitive choice for the particular personal appearance at which she wore them, something between the expensive clodhoppers and $19.99 fish-heads from WalMart.

Let's not be getting overwhelmed out of our good sense by the Empresses' new clothes, y'all.

[madrchsod]

233. those were ugly ass shoes...she was ripped off....

[chill_wind]

235. We definitely live in two Americas. n/t

[flvegan]

236. This thread went well, I see.

Had I their money, I'd be the first President with a supercar. Bulletproof my Pagani Zonda, please.

[RomanHoliday]

237. I was never a big fan of the Coach design...

.. or the similar Gucci design. I'm more of a Marc Jacobs/Tory Burch girl.

[Hepburn]

242. I just bought sandals at Walgreens for $9.99....

...they are really, really cute!

:hi: