I think you have that backward; in general I usually wonder things like “Who cares what Robert De Niro thinks of Trump?” or “Why do I care what Mayim Bialik’s thoughts on vaccines are, pro OR con?”, and it’s almost always coming from the perspective of the fact that they’re actors, and have no more information, qualification or authority to proclaim anything political or scientific than I do, except in the situations where they happen to actually be politicians or scientists. Essentially the only difference between me and them is that they have this bully pulpit because they’re already famous, and for some reason, the media likes to publish what they say.
And I’ve heard a lot of disgust out of a bunch of Republican and Republican-leaning friends, family and acquaintances about this- they get surprisingly torqued when say… Clooney opines about something political. It’s like a sort of feeling that his opinion is getting undue influence, even though his celebrity has nothing to do with his politics.
Mayim Bialik holds a PhD in neuroscience. Her views on vaccines are probably more informed than mine or yours. But not because she’s better known as an actor, of course.
But actors are certainly no *less *informed or thoughtful than most of us - the job does require some intelligence and life-awareness. If I listen to the guy next door, I can’t refuse to listen to DeNiro.
Is the spending nothing because it was Clinton? Was it because Clinton didn’t win? Does that mean that the billions spent by Republicans on losing candidates are also nothing? Was it because political campaigns shouldn’t cost money? Do you think that money can only be spent for winners? Do you think that money was just burned in a stove instead of being spent in the economy? Wasn’t it freely given by the donors? Didn’t they get a message across to millions of people even if their candidate lost?
What else do you consider nothing? If a pharmaceutical company spends a billion dollars on a new drug and it never makes it to market, is that nothing? When Toys R Us just declared bankruptcy after losing billions was that nothing? When the DoD spends a billion on a weapon program that doesn’t work is that nothing? When General Mills spends a billion dollars on advertising a toaster pastry is that nothing?
“What is nothing?” is usually meaningless philosophical sophistry. But now we have a chance to get an actual working answer to that question. Can you provide yours?
The amount spent on political campaigns is insane. As noted, the Koches alone are laying out $500 million on the upcoming midterms. Will it pay off? Maybe, maybe not. It’s basically advertising but, as noted, it’s not like the money was destroyed.
If it bothers you, then work for campaign finance reform and the legislative rollback of some of the excesses that Citizens United in particular spawned.
Sure, but treat what he says with the same grain of salt as the guy next door. A lot of people seem to treat what celebrities say as if what they say holds more weight because it’s on TV/radio/in the paper/on Twitter, etc… It’s like the very fact that they’re being reported on lends what they say more weight.
Which is why, in large part, the Democrats would do well to keep the celebrities at arm’s length; at best, you get a inexpert person saying the right things in the right way, but sometimes you get people saying the wrong thing, or even the right thing in the wrong way (DeNiro’s profane tirade is a good example).
Bothers is probably too strong a word. I mean ultimately it isn’t MY money but it’s insane to me that that kind of money can be thrown around every couple years in the HOPES of getting someone elected. And yes campaign reform would be a grand idea.
This is nonsense. The people who are offended or galvanized by criticism of Trump are the people who already support Trump to begin with. These people are lost souls and there is no point being concerned with their feelings. But let’s examine the reverse: If Deniro STOPPED criticizing Trump, would Trump’s supporters support Trump LESS? No. Of course not. They already decided to support Trump, regardless of what Deniro does or does not say.
Let’s be honest about one thing: Saying criticism of Trump is counterproductive is a tactic designed to silence criticism.
If I criticize Trump, they vote for Trump.
If I remain silent, they vote for Trump.
Since the outcome is the same either way, I choose the option that does not involve silence in the face of evil.
Why would I want to distance myself from people I agree with? Makes no sense.
Do I want my state to be run by people who stand up to hatred and oppression? Yes. Yes, I do.
And here’s why: If you ever read about countries that slide into dictatorship and atrocity, you will notice that many, many, many people remained silent in the face of evil… Or were forcibly silenced by their oppressors. I refuse to be silent. I absolutely refuse.
Let me make one thing absolutely crystal clear: Republicans are not the victims in this equation. They are the oppressors. And I wil stand with anyone who has the courage to stand against them.