Should celebrities use their fame to influence voters ?

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I don't care for it much.

I know everyone is allowed to voice their opinions, but if I go to a Bruce Springsteen concert, it would be to hear the music. I would not want him ranting about the need for change in government. And this goes either way, Conservative/Liberal.

Anyone think differently ?

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Entertainers have as much right to voice their opinion just as any other citizen does. However, I don't think a concert is the appropriate place to espouse one's political opinions. If a star wants to give his views while being interviewed on a TV or radio show or in print, that's fine...but not on their fans time and money.

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doglover wrote:

Entertainers have as much right to voice their opinion just as any other citizen does. However, I don't think a concert is the appropriate place to espouse one's political opinions. If a star wants to give his views while being interviewed on a TV or radio show or in print, that's fine...but not on their fans time and money.

My sentiments exactly.

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With idiots like Cameron Diaz saying if you think rape is ok dont vote...
it is hard to think celebs hold any more intel and insight than the average person. Yet they have a soapbox. But then so do the talk radio rejects,tv evangelists,etc.

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Exactly the point I was going to make.

The politicians, evangelists, radio personalities, as well as previous administration attorneys, so why not musicians and actors?

They may have a microphone but as already pointed out re: Brittany and Cmeron, people know when these actresses say something dumb / non contributory to their cause. I don't think someone will change their vote because of what she said, so it doesn't matter.

The current concerts are billed as political, so anyone attending should know what it is about.

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If they so choose to take the risk of alienating some of their fan base, why not? It is a free country.

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Yes, I do! I think there is 6* of separation between the highest and the lowest in society. I think that when the race for leader of our country(or any) is as close as it is this time, every citizen in the nation has an obligation to try to convince the people who haven't fully formed an opinion to think and vote which is an act declaring their beliefs. To not vote is to be like one who is dead. It is a right we must all exert this year, given our choices. To do otherwise is foolhardy. To use your sphere of influence is practical. Every vote counts this election! If we didn't learn anything else last election, I hope to God we learned that.

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Sure, why not. I would.

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Echo Larry's comment.

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I think celebrities can use their fame or whatever they want to try to influence voters. Anyone has that right. I also think that anyone that is influenced by a celebrity's opinion on politics would have to be a complete idiot though. Unless a celebrity happens to have some experience or knowledge that would make their opinion creditable, I see their opinion holding as much water as the homeless person walking down the street ranting and raving.

As far as concerts go, as a consumer you have a choice to attend a concert or not. If it was known that the entertainer was holding a concert to support a political candidate or if it was known that they are going to state political opinions at this concert, I would simply not attend if I didn't want to pay for it. If they started going on about political opinions without knowing about it first, yes I would be upset - booing and complaining later as well not going to future concerts, boycotting records, etc. could also result. Look what happened to the Dixie Chicks.

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edgarblythe wrote:

Sure, why not. I would.

Hmmm...interesting and a little surprising you take that stand. So when Pat Robertson does it from his bully pulpit you are ok with it ?

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CerealKiller wrote:

Hmmm...interesting and a little surprising you take that stand. So when Pat Robertson does it from his bully pulpit you are ok with it ?

Why not?

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CerealKiller - Pat Robertson is no different than say...Jesse Jackson. That is what makes America great.

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i think they should be allowed to say whatever they want but not at a concert. If I paid to hear music I want music.

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Larry434 wrote:

CerealKiller wrote:

Hmmm...interesting and a little surprising you take that stand. So when Pat Robertson does it from his bully pulpit you are ok with it ?

Why not?

If I tune in to a religious broadcast that is what I expect -- not political rants.

Seems like false advertising to me...religious bait--political switch.

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woiyo wrote:

CerealKiller - Pat Robertson is no different than say...Jesse Jackson. That is what makes America great.

Not exactly a glowing endorsement Laughing

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Pat Robertson is a citizen, as is Jesse Jackson. Let them have their say. I am not about censorship. Some celebrities are knowledgeable, some are not. Buyer beware.

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Ceral - That is the risk every entertainer/celebrity takes when they enter into the political "frey". If I go to a concert, I do not want to hear their opinions.

But, this is America.

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edgarblythe wrote:

Pat Robertson is a citizen, as is Jesse Jackson. Let them have their say. I am not about censorship. Some celebrities are knowledgeable, some are not. Buyer beware.

Then why all the stink about church/state seperation ?

If I'm not mistaken you are a supporter of church/state seperation, are you not ?

Although the Robertsons,Falwells,and Jacksons are individuals and not churches they use religion as a political tool to sway a fair number of voters.

I thought that the founders intent in establishing church/state seperation was to prevent politicos from using the church/religion as a bully pulpit, as much as it was to keep the state out of the church/religion business.

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CerealKiller wrote:

edgarblythe wrote:
Pat Robertson is a citizen, as is Jesse Jackson. Let them have their say. I am not about censorship. Some celebrities are knowledgeable, some are not. Buyer beware.

Then why all the stink about church/state seperation ?

If I'm not mistaken you are a supporter of church/state seperation, are you not ?

Although the Robertsons,Falwells,and Jacksons are individuals and not churches they use religion as a political tool to sway a fair number of voters.

I thought that the founders intent in establishing church/state seperation was to prevent politicos from using the church/religion as a bully pulpit, as much as it was to keep the state out of the church/religion business.

Here is the founders intent re: religion and government, in its entirety from the Constitution's First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Period and amen.

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Should celebrities use their fame to influence voters ?

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