Celebrities Getting into Politics during Election Season
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Miriam Fink is a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center. She is a graduate of American University. |
Celebrities have been popping up all over the political sphere. This week, Michael J. Fox, “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Patricia Heaton, actor Jim Caviezel, and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan starred in various political ads concerning stem cell research – a hot issue in several election races across the country. Their voices have been heard.
Julia Roberts, David Hyde Pierce from “Frasier,” Christie Brinkley, and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys have testified at congressional hearings about issues of importance to them. The Washington Post noted this week that many female celebrities including Tyne Daly, Regina King, and Felicity Huffman appear in a TV ad talking about their first time voting and designed to encourage others to vote. Their voices have been heard.
Puff Daddy displayed a “Vote or Die” t-shirt encouraging young people to vote in the 2004 Presidential election. His voice has been heard.
Celebrities don’t have a problem speaking out during this crucial time in American politics. They have made voting, becoming politically knowledgeable and active trendy. And guess what? It is. It is vitally important that our voices are heard and the issues we care about are pushed into the public arena. It is our duty as citizens and as Jews to get to the polls and vote. It is our turn to cast the ballot and finally be able to say that our voice has been accounted for on Capitol Hill