I don’t believe that Hollywood and the like are evil or overtly mean-spirited in their assertions.  I do believe that they should first remove the rafter from their own eye before trying to remove a splinter from mine.  After all, Hollywood enjoys a wonderful marriage success rate of  5 years on average.  Many of their children are requiring psychiatric help before they reach puberty and then there is the daily report of abuses with drugs and alcohol that land them squarely in rehab (often more than once). 

I can only imagine that life with celebrity can be a very trying thing.  They rarely have privacy.  They always see flashes from cameras in their faces and often at the most unflattering times.  They truly live in a fishbowl.  While they have many of the same troubles in life that we the commoners have, those listed are not problems I ever have.  But I also don’t have their acting talent or singing prowess.  I’m just a simple guy that had to educate himself.  I work hard at my own business.  I don’t have managers, agents, publicists, and media consultants telling me what I need to say to be popular or what my next move should be.  I, like most people, have to think for myself and make my decisions from becoming informed on topics from all sides within my personal beliefs and ideals. 

That’s why I have a problem with people like Alec Baldwin, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, Sean Combs(aka: Puff Daddy, P-Diddy), Will. I. Am. (Black-eyed Peas), Chris Matthews, and Keith Olbermann to mention a few.  There are so many more but these stand out. That these people can’t and should never be taken seriously can be seen by the fact that Alec Baldwin and some others mentioned, when losing the 04’ presidential election, didn’t leave the country as they promised they would do.  Recently, Brad and Angelina made a similar statement.  Sean Combs and Will. I. Am, are both ardent Obama supporters and are very vocal in their feelings about their candidate, or should I say against McCain.  When questioned, Will I Am said he hadn’t done much or any research about his Presidential pick.  Later, realizing the gaff, he tried haplessly to correct himself.  Combs put out a foul language attack on McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin on a U-Tube video. 

Why do I care what they say?  Simply put, I don’t but others may.  Unfortunately, we live in a country that gives undue attention and importances to people that have notoriety or celebrity.  Some people fawn over these stars as if they hung the moon.  They don’t make the distinction of acting or singing talent with political aptitude.  After all, they are such a good performer; they must really be smarter than I am.  It’s scary and sad to think that some people’s lives are that empty.  Another singer (Kid Rock) said something very profoundly accurate just recently.  He noted that he did not have a political science degree so was not in a position to state for others what their opinion ought to be.  He further derided any other celebrities for doing so. Truer words have not been spoken.  This leaves us with the quandary of why they feel compelled to continue to tell me how I should vote. 

When it comes to the media there is no excuse.  They are supposed to report the news, not make it.  While they can develop a commentary about a person or a policy that needs to be explained; that explanation should be completely un-biased and free of personal revelation.  Hearing Chris Matthews bloviate and speak of his legs tingling is way over the top.  Keith Olbermann; I have no words.  The obvious bias has caused me to not watch mainstream media any longer.  The hatred that is seeping into their commentary is just too much.  As to the actors and singers spouting off, I can’t even watch their movies or listen to their music without separating their over-riding political views.  I know that I’m not alone in feeling that way.  Maybe that is the best way to fight back against this type of hateful bias and unabashed fawning of Hollywood over their candidate or view, namely: Don't watch or listen to them and let them know why.  Maybe their publisist will give them the message from us and let them know what their opinion should be.

I understand that people are different and having these differences is what makes this country a truly interesting place to live.  The differences are often seen regionally.  I have lived in the southwest, northwest, and now in the heartland of Ohio.  These differences are certainly seen in those with a religious background verses those without; they are seen in those that live in the larger cities verses those that live in rural communities.  The differences can even be seen from one small suburb to another.  But the differences aren’t that great really.  People, all people, generally want the same types of things.  They want to live without undue interference from government intrusion.  They want to live without unfair taxation. They want to know that they are relatively safe against attacks from would-be robbers of our freedoms.  That’s it!

Everyone has the right to believe as they wish.  I don’t pretend to have any more answers than anyone else does.  But what I do is educate myself.  I read about the points of view from both sides.  I read, watch, and examine the candidates and make a decision based on that criterion.  I won’t be leaving the country if the opposite side is elected because this is still where I want to live.  I came to this country from another.  I, unlike many, do know what it is like to live in a socialist oriented country, thus I live here.  I do know what National Health Care looks like and still I live here.  I know what it is live in a country whose focus is often primarily on assisting those with little rather than rewarding those that strive everyday for success and from that very striving achieve more.  I know what it is to live in a country that focuses on giving hand outs rather than hands up and I choose to live here.

My parents came to America with one hope; to raise their kids in a place where hard work and determination would garner them a rewarding life.  I am thankful for that.  They too, came from a socialist country in Europe.  The ideals of a socialist platform are not lacking some nobility as they avow help for all. However, the ideals of a democratic policy are superior in that they allow me to be treated more fairly and give me choices that simply do not exist in the former.  I am able to live a better lifestyle due to lower taxes and while business red tape can be a bother in this country it is still far less than that of most others.

I would say to all those that do not enjoy their life in this country and threaten to leave if they don’t get their way; Please, go this time!  Live the life of a common person.  Make only the amount of money that most people make and with the same modesty they must live with and see if you return with the same opinion as you currently have.  It is easy to be rich about anywhere in the world.  But the real challenge is to be average.  You know what average is: we’re the ones clinging to religion, family values, and guns.  We love life and cherish all of our children, not just the healthy ones.  We never believe that they are a punishment with which to be saddled.  We believe in the right of all to be successful but not for nothing or without sacrifice of hard work or ingenuity. 

In conclusion I say this: whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, Libertarian or Independent; learn what it is you are defending and what the other side is saying.  Sincerely look at what the affects of your policies are.  Examine the constitution of this country and the platform you are in support of and determine whether there is a conflict.  And lastly, whatever you determine to be right, do not hate, despise, or spread lies about someone with the other view point.  Vote your conscience and what promotes “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”