In America, we love celebrities. Especially when they screw up.
We can't wait for the next sex tape, messy divorce or DUI involving some public figure. Seeing these people put on a pedestal then swiftly knocked down by their own drug-fueled folly is a process we deeply cherish. We love to feel superior to anyone who seems like they are more successful than we are.
Is that wrong? Most likely.
But why do we care which political party a celebrity supports?
Clint Eastwood's recent appearance at the Republican National Convention is the perfect example of how obsessed we are with celebrities.
Eastwood brought his rough, take-no-prisoners image to the RNC, and the Republicans, along with many Eastwood fans, swooned. He tough-talked to an empty chair, and Romney supporters were visibly fired up. Even "Deliverance" star John Voight gave a nod of approval from his seat in the crowd.
Of course, this seems more like posturing than any sort of real political action.
When any celebrity makes their political voice public, we can't help but yawn and roll our eyes. Whether they are liberal or conservative, we believe celebrity endorsements are an archaic reminder of days past. They don't have any meaning anymore.
We all know Eastwood is an American treasure; his films have given us many hours of joy. But that doesn't mean he will change anyone's mind about their chosen candidate.
Celebrities are good at selling commercial goods, not presidential candidates.
If we spent as much time informing ourselves about real issues as we do fawning over Eastwood and his Hollywood ilk, we would laugh at any attempt to sell us a candidate, which is what it feels like now. We don't need to buy, we need to vote.
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