Why do so many celebrities feel they have the expertise to even comment on politics?

Question

Even worse, why do so many of our fellow Americans accept their words as LAW and so blindly follow? What does this say about our country to the world in general?

Yes, Yes...I am commenting on politics here but I have a BA in polisci and a Masters degree too! Some celebrities have never even study world history or US History! And I am NOT all over the internet or on the radio or splashed on the Big screen nor TV!

Kelly B.: I don't oppose anyone speaking freely, as it is their right....what bothers me is that some (and yeah, only some) of the political statements are made without merrit and our children (yours and mine) remember those words when they are in the voting both. SCARY!

Answer 1

I think the more important part of your questions was - "Even worse, why do so many of our fellow Americans accept their words as LAW and so blindly follow?"

Everbody has an opinion and is entitled to voice it in a "free" country, celebrities have a much bigger platform than we do BUT they are still free to voice theirs.

Unfortunately, most of them have NEVER done any real research to create a strong argument but worse than that, so many people blindly take the words as truth rather than go do research for themselves.

If I was a celeb, I would certainly use my fame to bring awareness to certain issues BUT I would want to foster DEBATE to get BOTH sides of the story out of responsibility.

Until people value the opinions of ACADEMICS and well-researched magazines like the Economist et al, MORE than those of celebs, we will continue to have this problem.

Value celebs for their acting skills but when they comment, go do your research BEFORE you agree OR disagree please.

Answer 2

I suppose the answer is just ego and and because people do listen to them. I believe Angelina Jolie now has expert knowledge concerning the children of the world--not because she's adopted several, but because she, like Audrey Hepburn, took her appointment as U.N. Special Ambassador seriously and actually has traveled the world visiting areas where there are children in distress. However, I cannot remember her ever commenting on internal American politics.
Listening to other celebrities comment on politics is silly if you think their opinion is worth any more than your own. I mean, for heaven's sake, Paris Hilton is a celebrity famous for nothing except being a celebrity. That's almost sick, but we have no one to blame but ourselves. Of course, Ms. Hilton does not appear to have the brains to comment on anything more that what alcohol she prefers at the moment :)

Answer 3

Everybody, even intellectually vapid celebrities have the right to comment on their government and their opinions. As you pointed out, it's those that blindly follow what these celebrities have to say that are the problem. Just because someone can act, sing, or dance doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. And those celebrities had better realize that their uninformed opinions may lose them some business.

Answer 4

I have been saying for years that Tipper Gore was right about the media's negative influences on our culture. If we don't believe Hollywood sells us our beliefs, why do companies pay millions for a 30 second ad spot during the Super Bowl? Our society puts more stock in what a celebrity says than in what a politician says. And they think there is nothing wrong with our morals.

Answer 5

I think celebrities have every right to voice their opinions, the only problem is their opinions are so out of touch with mainstream America.

These poor celebrities will stand on stage at the Oscars and bemoan the destruction of the environment and jump directly on a private jet, the worlds most environmentally harmfull mode of transportation. The American people are not stupid and they see directly through this "do as I say, not as I do" attitude.

Answer 6

That's the way of america.
You fly one guy in Sudan, he makes a guided tour here and there, comes back in america. He meets a batallion of journalists and anounces that ther's a genocide going on in Sudan.

He who has organised all of this knows well that the american public will fall on it, if they do not believe or doubt us ( politicians) let's use their idols.

This is very scary. The american public seems flexible according to how the news or an opinion is presented to it. Few or no americans ask objective questions, or those who do are not in power to change any thing.

Answer 7

Thank you.

They do if for more records sold and so people will see their movies.

This is one of the reasons I think the voting age should be pushed to back. (then you get the military issue though)

How many 18 years olds do you think voted for the guy that their favorite band/actor/actress told them to?

It's such a shame that a lot of people dont take the time to actually research someone, find out what they're about, then vote off of what they find.

Answer 8

Why do so many on this forum feel they have the expertise?
Even worse, why do so many Americans follow Fox News as LAW and blindly follow? Not realizing that we live in a society that has replaced truth with spin.

Answer 9

The same way I feel I should comment on politics- they are voting, taxpaying citizens. The microphone is in their face constantly, so some use it.
This says that our country is the greatest in the world.

If you want to see somebody blindly follow, read some Bush apologist propoganda on this site.

Answer 10

I would ask why people are fascinated with celebrities in general!

I don't know. I suppose that people think that if the press is covering them, they must be important.

I get disgusted when I see the articles in the supermarket check out aisles.

It must be a terrible way to live one's life, always in the public eye.