<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Hollywood's biggest and richest fundraisers of this election cycle are being hosted by some of the entertainment industry's most respected and influential African Americans, a potent symbol of how much has changed in recent years. These fundraisers underscore the importance and security of the black celebrities and executives, who have become such an integral part of Hollywood. They've become a community unafraid to divide its loyalties, regardless of race. The days when "black Hollywood" felt that it needed to marshal all its resources behind a single candidate or cause are past. So, some of the biggest names are backing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, while others are supporting Sen. Barack Obama. "I have never seen the African Americans in the Hollywood community this excited and involved, ever," said Democratic political consultant Kerman Maddox. "I was around when [former L.A. Mayor Tom] Bradley was running for governor and [Jesse] Jackson was running for president. I've never seen it like this. "You have a lot of young African Americans in Hollywood with disposable income ready to write a check." On Sept. 8, media icon Oprah Winfrey -- who also happens to be one of America's richest women -- will open her rambling Santa Barbara "getaway" home to raise money for fellow Chicagoan Obama. At least 1,500 people are expected to attend, and organizers are hoping to raise between $2 million and $3 million, a huge amount under new federal campaign limit rules. Six days after the Winfrey event, entrepreneur and venture capitalist Magic Johnson and his wife, Cookie, will open their Beverly Hills mansion to supporters of Hillary Clinton. That's a switch for the onetime NBA great, who donated $2,300 to Obama in March. Sources say that the NBA Hall of Famer was attracted to the Clinton cause by his billionaire friend Ron Burkle, a major pal of Bill and Hillary. (Johnson and Burkle both worked with their mutual friend, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan, to try to bring a pro football team back to Los Angeles.) "The fact that Magic Johnson, a very instrumental African American within our country and somebody who is the ultimate point guard, is supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton says a lot," said Clinton supporter Alex Avant, son of former Motown head Clarence Avant. (His sister Nicole is busy fundraising for Obama.) Magic, Alex Avant said, sticking with the basketball analogy, is "a guy who knows literally and figuratively his surroundings. He understands synergy." He's also, according to Avant, a guy who understands the value of experience. "Could you imagine Magic trying to learn how to do his job in the fourth quarter in a championship game? That would be scary. Each and every one of us, regardless of your ethnic origin, should pay attention and do what's best for their country. Hillary is ready." Johnson's decision to enlist with Clinton is particularly important because Obama's supporters include some of Hollywood's hot young African American artists and executives, including Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith, Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock. Magic's collaborators are, so far, drawn mostly from among African American Hollywood's elder statesmen and include such longtime Bill Clinton loyalists as Quincy Jones, Motown founder Berry Gordy and Clarence Avant. Still, they're hoping his gala will rival the fundraising wattage of Winfrey's soir?e.</div> Source: LA Times
I wish more voters were voting for the opinions of the candidate and not the person and his/her traits. What I think is wrong with the US voting system (besides the actual voting system itself, which I think sucks) is that more emphasis is put on the individual candidate and how and what he/she is as a person, and not so much on political views. Of course, money helps to convince people. For example, following the youtube debates, I could see without knowing anything about him that Mike Gravel has no chance of winning the election, because he simply doesn't have the same charisma, or money, as the other candidates. But after reading up on what he would do as president, I (if I could vote) would without a doubt support him with my vote and my voice. Here are some quotes from his page: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE VOUCHERS Senator Gravel advocates a universal health-care voucher program in which the federal government would issue annual health care vouchers to Americans based on their projected needs. Under the Senator's plan, all Americans would be fully covered and would be free to use their vouchers to choose their own health care professional. No one would ever be denied health insurance because of their health, wealth, or any other reason. A universal health-care voucher plan will also relieve American businesses of the financial responsibility of insuring their workers while ensuring that their workers get adequate care. SOCIAL SECURITY Senator Mike Gravel wants to put real money, rather than borrowed money, in the Social Security Trust Fund, investing it properly and identifying the interests of individual beneficiaries so they can leave their surplus funds to their heirs. He also calls on Congress to stop raiding the Social Security Trust Fund. This is key to ensuring that Social Security will be around long after the Baby Boomers are gone for the next generation of Americans who have paid into it. 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS While Senator Gravel fully supports the 2nd Amendment, he believes that fundamental change must take place with regards to gun ownership. The senator advocates a licensing program where a potential gun owner must be licensed as well as properly trained with a firearm before they may own one. </div>
Its not just American politics. This is politics in general. Honestly though, it's not so much the politicians fault, but us, the public, for being so stupid to care so much about personal traits. The reason why politics around the world is so questionable is because of politicians concern for pragmatism. If the masses weren't so stupid, politicians wouldn't treat us that way. Now, what does this have to do with basketball?
