A group of concerned individuals have politely suggested that Ronald McDonald should be retired along with the Marlboro Man and Joe Camel. McDonald’s has responded calling the clown “a force for good.”

“The answer is no,” McDonald’s Corp.’s CEO Jim Skinner told a room full of shareholders at company’s headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, IL, reports the AP.

“He is a force for good,” Skinner said, referring to the clown’s role with the Ronald McDonald House Charities. “He communicates effectively with children and families around balanced, active lifestyles. He does not hawk food.”

In any case, it seems that you agree, our recent unscientific poll about the issue showed that 71% of you were fine with good old Ronald.

McDonald’s says no way Ronald will retire [AP]

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