In today’s political environment, we have seen the emergence of popular entertainers – singers, musicians, movie stars, and so on – taking center stage to promote and raise money for the candidates of their choice. Some people feel that these entertainers should stick to their own business, while others believe that they have a right, and perhaps even an obligation, to speak their minds. In your view, what do you think the role of entertainers should be in politics? Do they exert undue influence because of their popularity and easy access to the media? Carefully explain the rationale for your position.
In America, we have the freedom to speak about issues we feel strongly about. A political candidate campaigning across the nation welcomes any support from American citizens. Popular entertainers - singers, musicians, and movie stars - are American citizens. They have the same right as anyone else to support a political candidate. Popular entertainers can promote and raise money for their candidate more effectively because people already know and trust them.
Because of their popularity and media exposure, popular entertainers can reach more people. A political candidate cannot be in multiple places at once. It is much more effective if a well known entertainer can go to the areas where the political candidate cannot be, rather than an unknown citizen. Larger amounts of people will turn up to the event hosted by the entertainer to listen to what they have to say. The more people you reach, the more funds you can raise and the more you can promote the candidate. The promotion of political candidates is also volunteer based so you know the entertainers who are doing the promotion really believe in the person they are promoting.
In the past we have also seen popular entertainers taking the political stage as a candidate. Ronald Reagan became president of the United States. Arnold Schwarzenegger became Governor of California. Popular entertainers should not be limited in the political realm. If politics is something they are passionate about, they should be allowed to pursue it.
Entertainers should be allowed to speak their minds and promote a political candidate they believe in. Entertainers should also be allowed to run for any political office and not be limited to the entertainment industry. The role of entertainers in politics is just like any other citizen's role. Any qualified citizen can become a political candidate and any citizen should have the right to promote a candidate they believe in.
