Hollywood actors and actresses; What in the he11 do they know about polotics?

A skill that is worth working at is empathy. In the case of these Hollywood folks, getting into their heads is not necessarily pleasant, but it can be done. It can be explained how these people think they are so much smarter than the rest of us, yet still be wrong. The whole problem comes from our Hollywood friends not truely understanding the difference between intelligence and ignorance. You see, in their day to day jobs, they do a job that requires an immense applied knowledge in practical human psychology and the ability to learn vast amounts of material very quickly. Many of Hollywood's actors and acresses actually are very smart! They get use to thinking of themselves as smart. However, being sheltered from day to day reality of being fairly judged in other endeavors outside of their specialities of acting these Hollywood types forget they are ignorant about other areas of knowledge. Hence, they sometimes say some stupid things out of ignorance that looks like stupidity. Of course, they do not know that and none of their friends who know better than they dare to tell them! How do I know this? How does empathy play a role? I've said stupid things out of ignorance. That's how I acquired the skill to know it when I see it.

Well, the people of Hollywood are in fact, people too. So therefore they have opinions about politics. Just because they are actors and actresses, does not mean they know nothing about politics. The reason people listen to them is because they are famous, so why wouldnt they talk about it? And as you said, if you had millions you would support your candidate in the same way that those hollywood stars do. So when they stick there money into it, they are only supporting who they want to win, as would you. I don't think they are doing anything wrong. They have rights too. No, all those people are not qualified to run the country, but that doesn't mean they shouldnt have say. That would be like someone telling you that if you are not qualified to run a country, you should not have a say either.

I could also care less what their opinion is. Perhaps I am jusy being cynical but I think most of their big donations whether it be to politics or charities is just for the resulting tax breaks they get.

Their opinion doesn't carry any more weight than anyone else's, but they use the fact that they are well known to get their opinions heard. All they are, are actors who make a living off of make believe... what they represent isn't real, and a lot of the time they are not real good role models either. A lot of the time when they do voice an opinion... if they stray from the talking points then they embarrass themselves because they have no real understanding of the issues. I think they should stick to their real jobs and leave the soapboxes to the politicians.

Well, then again, they have the most influence so of course they're going to open their mouths about their beliefs. I think everyone would do the same, had they the same amount of popularity. However, blindly supporting a candidate because a celebrity supports them is just pure idiocy. It's always better to form ideas rather than having them told to you.

While I completely agree that the individuals you are referring to should not have their opinions valued higher than the average person, it is oversimplification to say their opinion has equal weight. "Should" and reality are often at odds, and in this case, too many people put so much stock in the opiions of their entertainment "heroes", that opinionated actors and actresses ARE able to do what you and I and most people cannot! In a way, our entire republic-based government fails at this. You and I do not have the same voice as some politician who got where they are by similar means of popularity. An average person cannot jump into a political arena and hope to have their opinion valued. Occassionally someone will come along who has studied politics dutifully and make an impact, but for the most part, our politicians tend to be people who just chose to "stick their noses and money into it". Any time we feel we need to speak up, at least we live in a land where we have the right to scream from our soapboxes until we are hoarse. Because of that, we have to put up with others who want to speak out, and we certainly can't do anything about those who line up to listen to them. All we can really do is speak our MINDS and hope others learn to use theirs.

I guess they have their own opinions and they are entitled to voice them but it is worse when you have a Prime Minister as we have here in Australia who seems to be star struck and likes to involve them in things as if because they are in the movies they are experts...

But, why shouldn't they voice an opinion? No, they don't have any more weight and no one has to listen to them, but I've never understood the anger over celebrities using the opportunities that they have. It seems like when it comes to celebrities, the attitude goes beyond a rational "don't listen to them just because they're famous" to an over the top, "they're famous, which means they should just shut up." If I believed strongly in something, whether it was politics or anything else, and if I had the opportunity to get more people to listen to me, I'd use it in a heartbeat. So, I'm not going to begrudge others for doing the exact same thing. Afterwards, it's up to the public to use their own judgment as to whether the person speaking has something worth hearing.

I could care less about what some actor or actress has to say about politics. My opinion matters just as much as their but I do not see anyone putting a mic in front of me. I argee, I do not want to waste my time with the political views of a movie star. Actually I believe the average man or woman's opinion matters more than Hollywood opinion because real America is what make America run not Hollywood.

We just have to keep in mind that they are only human. We can value their opinion but don't take it as gospel. I have yet to hear Oprahs opinion on Obamas church and am wondering what she has to say about it. Though I enjoy watching her show, I would never vote for Obama just because she endorses him. The problem is that there are many people that would. I have seen many opinions that I agree with and many I don't. Though I agree with you somewhat, I can't help but believe that they have a right to their opinion just like we do.

First of all, do you really think people pay that much attention to what celebrities say? I mean, I hear and read a lot more things like this, people complaining about how performers should "Shut up and act/sing/play (whatever the case may be)" than of those who base their vote or opinion on that of their favorite TV or movie star. I've posted about this before and I still feel the same way: these people who are in the public eye, whether they're actors, musicians, athletes or in some other field are where they are because the public put them there but buying their CD's, watching their movies or shows, buying tickets to their concerts or sporting events and their merchandise. We've made them rich and famous, thus giving them a platform from which to give their opinion on everything, including politics. We sure don't have to listen to them and we certainly don't have to do what they tell us to do but as long as they think we're paying attention AND as long as interviewers constantly ask their views on political matters and the like they're going to talk about it, at least some of them are. In answer to your title question I say they know the same as the rest of us meaning some know quite a bit, some know next to nothing and for most their knowledge of politics falls somewhere in the middle. Some are very interested, some not at all, and most become interested when something happens to grab their attention. The difference between "us" and "them" is WE don't appear on the Today Show or Jay Leno or get interviewed by national newspapers and magazines. However, we DO still tell people what we think every chance we get, don't we? I do find it interesting that whenever these complaints come up it's usually about celebrities supporting Democrats but I don't read too many complaints from those same people when a big star supports a Republican or even becomes a candidate. Myself, when I choose who to listen to or watch I don't give much thought to their political positions. However, everyone has the right to simply stop supporting the stars who support the candidates or positions you disagree with. If enough people are that sick of hearing from them soon they'll disappear and nobody will care what they think anymore! Annie

I completely agree!! it is crazy that so many people will do something just because their favorite movie star will. so many do though.

why is it that every time we have an election or go to war or even wipe our