Designer handbag makes political waves

[The Straight Story]

Designer handbag makes political waves

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The leader of a Swedish political party has stirred up debate after being photographed with an expensive designer handbag, local media report.

Social Democrat party leader Mona Sahlin and leaders of other political parties were featured in a group photograph, thelocal.se reported Saturday.

Sahlin is pictured with an $828 Louis Vuitton handbag, which has drawn both criticism and support from politicians and commentators, the news Web site said.

"A Social Democrat party leader must always have social equality at the fore," Goran Greider wrote in a letter to the newspaper Aftonbladet. "Consumerism comes from the rich."

But others came to her defense.

"I don't think that leading politicians need to start giving an account for what clothes they have," Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told Aftonbladet.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/01/23/Designer-handbag-makes-political-waves/UPI-79721264292808/

[DesertFlower]

1. IMO most of these designer handbags

are ugly. i don't know why women want them.

[eShirl]

3. It's so other people know they can afford to be extravagant and buy themselves a luxury item.

It's certainly not because bags are extraordinarily beautiful or useful.

[SoCalDem]

5. The funny thing about "designer" stuff.. MUCH of it is FAKE

and the people who would KNOW it's fake are NOT the people the fake-buyers even associate with..and "their" (the fake-buyers) friends know they don't have the money to buy originals.. no one's fooled:)
I mean ...really.. Does the local convenience store seem like the place to buy a Gucci bag..or maybe a flea market??

People I know who can easily afford these things would never buy them because they are so horrendously overpriced..

My rich pal said if she ever wanted to spend some big bucks, it would NOT be for some ugly purses that would live in a drawer in her closet.....

[virgogal]

2. Much ado about nothing IMHO.

[ChicagoSuz219]

4. I've never bought Louis Vuitton anything because...

...many years ago I heard that he didn't hire Jews, so I boycotted his line.

If the policy was changed, I didn't get the memo. Anyone know?

[Touchdown]

6. If it's good enough for Victoria Brisbane, then it's good enough...

for any Cocker's daughter.

[earth mom]

7. Good for Sweden. Politicians should NOT flaunt their wealth. nt