Why Trust a Pop Star?
In the past century, the world has become a very dangerous place. Massive advances in the industries of transportation and telecommunications have forced week long trips down to hours and minutes. People live with the constant fear in the back of their minds of “what if.” What if tomorrow we fall into war? What if tomorrow a nuclear bomb detonates? What if? In these times of fear and panic, it is important that we choose the right leaders. Despite this, many continue to rely on less-than-stable pop stars to influence political decisions. How can the people that live a life so far from reality be trusted to pass judgment on a politician?
As usual, this trend wasn’t started by the Beatles, but they perfected it. As their early songs like, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love,” changed to “Get Back,” and “Revolution,” the Beatles changed from four decent musicians from Liverpool to four commentators on global politics. They started the ball rolling on a political revolution that would take the 1960’s by storm. The influence of popular musicians on the political views of youth in the 60’s influenced future generations to follow their pop stars’ political views as well.
In 1980, the true political power of a pop-star was revealed as Ronald Reagan, a former movie star, was elected to become President of the United States. While Reagan’s success was most likely due to his economic plans and the failure of the Carter administration to effectively end the hostage situation in Iran, it is most likely that at some point earlier in his political career, someone must have been listening to the political ideas of an old movie star thinking, “People could really follow this guy.” The American public didn’t disappoint, Reagan beat the incumbent President Carter and then demolished Walter Mondale four years later, winning every electoral vote except in Washington D.C. and Mondale’s home state of Minnesota. The policies were an important part of Reagan’s success, but the movie-star personality and the popularity that went with his former career did not hurt his appeal. The American People attached themselves to this president that they knew from old Wild West movies. He had a grandfatherly appearance and knew how to charm a crowd, who would vote against a nice old man like that? In 1984, only 13 electoral votes could.
In more recent news, the President Elect, Barack Obama, has been avidly supported by the pop-star/artist Will.i.am for some time now. While listening to Will.i.am’s argument for Obama is completely reasonable, one must remember that Will.i.am is just another human being. He makes good and bad decisions, and should not be trusted to choose political leaders any more than the next voter. Unfortunately, many will still take the views of their favorite pop-stars over those that are less famous, and pop-stars are benefitted by making such views well known. If Britney Spears came out tomorrow as a supporter of just about any cause, it would instantly be covered by the news. This brings almost free publicity to any pop-star, and often portrays them as generous, caring individuals. The reality is that Americans do not want to give up on their idols, and the idols have no reason to give up on their political influences. For now, the pop-star is a huge influence on American Politics.
What is difficult to rationalize, however, is the fact that everyone knows and trusts the political views of their favorite pop-star, but few listen to and trust the political views of their senator or representative. If Bono were to support a presidential candidate, the popularity of that candidate would raise far more than if a local congressman supported them. The difference comes both from exposure and choice. A congressman is less known to the average person than Bono or Will.i.am. The public, in turn, is able to choose their favorite pop-star, whereas their local senator or representative may not be the one they voted for. Because everyone cannot be pleased by their representatives, the reality deprived pop-star gains an edge over the politicians that actually live through the issues every day. The American public listens to their reality deprived stars and the influence of the senator is kept to the Electoral College. Unfortunately, this mode of operations seems to be the one that Americans will be living with for some time, as politicians are not likely to become pop stars, and pop stars are not likely to give up popularity to even the odds for politicians that they do not support. The American people will have to live with their own decisions on who to follow, whether it be pop-stars, politicians, or their own decisions, it is their choice, and their own vote to cast.