As kids, we knew it was the kiss of death to EVER tell our parents we were bored. We'd either be assigned chores or parents would say "What's wrong are you too stupid to find something fun to do?"

We always found something fun to do, and it was always outside, and it never required a carpool or a clock or even much money from the parents.

Anyway, back on topic of the girls who want OPEC to pay for their cable... We weren't poor growing up but I remember the gas crisis in the early 70's. Pop was a G-Man so his gov't car was always full. Mom didn't have to drive much because we kids rode our bikes the two miles to school. I never remember us having to "cut-back" on anything though as a very young child I remember "WIN" buttons and I can remember Mom carrying one of those red handheld adding devices to the grocery store.