I think it is impossible for Obama to live up to the hype. It is like a movie that everyone says is the "best movie ever" and how you "just have to see it!" and then you do and it wasn't that great.

Penn should just keep his mouth shut. NO ONE cares what that idiot has to say. I'd like to punch him in the head.

ditto to that cine, on both points. I am so tired of hearing movie stars rant about politics. They are so disconnected from reality.

This guy is such a wacko!

and when I say reality, I don't mean they're unrealistic for supporting a certain candidate. I mean that they just don't live in the same reality as the average person.

There you go again Kris. Being diplomatic and sweet as usual.

There I am, sweet as usual. Well, I didn't want to give the impression I was saying that choosing democratic was outside of reality. Everyone has their own "reality." like, if you are a poor blue-collar worker, a farmer, or someone who suffers and you choose a democratic candidate, you probably have your reasons. (nevermind what I think of them) but if you're a multi-billionaire who gets to play all day for a living, and is so far removed from any financial burdens as to take a month off and spend it in Cannes, then I'd prefer you to shut up!

Once I saw a news piece examining why it is that most of Hollywood is very left and most professional athletes are Republican... The hypothesis they put out was this, actors are left because they know they don't work hard for what they've got and their lifestyle is so gluttonous, so to absolve them of their own guilt they beleive in things like income redistribution and extreme environmental protection... So really its about them making themselves feel better about who they are.

On the flip side, professional athletes sometimes come from poor backgrounds and rise so far and truly realize that if you do work hard, you can have the American dream. Essentially, they understand the work hard = be successful equation and thats why they are interested in protecting it.

I thought it was an interesting theory...

it is an interesting theory, and probably has some truth to it.

when I think about movie stars, it's not that I think they don't always work hard. I mean, they are making films back to back, shooting in locations far from their families, sometimes doing very emotional work. but when they are not doing a film, what are they doing? throwing benefit parties? hmm, that's terrible work. lounging around at their beach homes? I wonder when is the last time many of them had to call and check their bank balance, or if they even pay their own bills. Their houses are owned by trusts, and they have accountants who are paid to monitor all of the daily minutae that we have to care for. and when they need to rehab off of crack or alcohol, they just go to a resort for a while. someone is taking care of stuff at home. Who's feeding the dog? no worries, probably the accountant, a bodyguard, or a maid.

That is interesting. My mother always says, "They are Liberal because they can afford to be Liberal."

Struggling actors have it hard. Once you make it in the industry, your life is easy.

haha! thats funny! your mom sounds like a fun lady!

straight up, Cine. i don't want to make everythign about money. but I know from my own experience that when I have money, or my cc balances are low, that I am a whole lot happier person. Not becuase I can go out and buy material things, but because I'm not worried about bad things happening, cause i can afford to fix them. like my dog getting hurt, her hurting someone else's dog, my car breaking down, my air conditioner leaking, getting a new garbage disposal, etc etc etc.

and when you're not worried abotu the basic necessities in life, you have plenty of time to worry about other crap.

hey i dont mean to rain on y'all's parade or anything... but the current breed of republicans running things right now are like the hollywood "multi-billionaires" of politics. they are they heads of corporations that make WAY more than sean penn will ever see in his entire life.

you guys are talking about a type of conservatism that died a very violent death in 2000 when bush was elected - and i don't know if it will ever return. the idea that republicans are somehow working for the common man is just simply ridiculous. look around at what's happening to our economy right now - you think it's sean penn's fault? ha. this is almost laughable.

I agree with you ladies! I can't stand Penn!

wth is going on with the emoticons today...ughhh lol

I look forward to his first speech when he has to tell the American people that withdrawal of troops will not be possible. Or when his universal health care plan dies on arrival in committee. Or when he fails to walk on water...

"look around at what's happening to our economy right now - you think it's sean penn's fault? ha. this is almost laughable."

its laughable because none of us said that!

and heads of corporations work their butts off, so actually that kinda does play into that theory.

YY, no i don't think everything is sean penn's fault, and ommission of any discussion about the kind of republicans you described does not mean I think they are heroes, or are blameless.

"...the dangerous disillusionment that will happen if he doesn’t become a greater man than he has ever been.”

I wonder if Mr. Penn himself lives by this philosophy? Shouldn't we all?

I think it is laughable that you blame the economy only on Republicans. I did not realize that no Democrats have held office in the last 8 years Or what about NAFTA? I just love how self righteous Liberals are. Don't want to take the blame for anything. Just blame the Republicans. So much easier that way. Not like Dems are known for taking responsibility anyway, why start now?

And no one said Sean Penns at fault for anything in this country. I would not give him credit, he is not important enough.

cabaker: ok... so you didn't say that sean penn is at fault for the sad state of our economy. but according to you, if you live the american dream, which is to do what you love and get paid for it, and that dream happens to be acting in films rather than sitting behind a desk and telling people to sell more pork butts, then somehow you've lost your right to comment on politics and the problems of the world. doesn't seem fair to me.

i can agree that people who spend all day acting and not digging ditches may be disconnected from the reality of the every day man - i just don't see the difference between that and someone born into money who was handed the keys to the executive offices at a major corporation right after getting his or her MBA (the MBA that their parents most likely paid for them to get).

Vicks, Rodman, Canseco, Bonds, Clemens and Bryant are somehow better than movie stars who arrange benefits for people? Interesting perspective.

My fiance is getting his MBA, and we are paying for EVERYTHING. Both our B.A's and his MBA, and my masters when I get mine. So nice generalization.

I work in the Entertainment industry, and the majority of actors, producers and directors make in the industry because they come from money. You think it is easy to go on auditions and work a full time job? NO. That is why their PARENTS pay their rent. And if it is not wealth they come from then it is complete and utter nepotism. SO most of the people in Hollywood have NEVER known what is like to be a common person.

Vicks, Rodman, Canseco, Bonds, Clemens and Bryant are somehow better than movie stars who arrange benefits for people? Interesting perspective.

none of us said any of those things. That is completely made up. I can't help but think you are just contradicting us because we are conservative.

no i certainly don't mean he's lost his right to comment on politics, by why is it that all of them get a massive platform by which to spew their ignorance? when was the last time you heard the CEO of johnson and johnson comment on politics?

and i would argue that MOST CEOs are not born into money and handed the keys to the executive office immidiately, certainly that happens in some cases but if all corporate head honchos are cold, unfeeling people who only care about money, aren't they going to put the person who can make them the most money in that position?

YY, I think everyone should be able to voice their opinions on what they think is wrong with their country. My problem with Mr. Penn is that it's always bad and it's always partisan. Also, a man sitting behind a desk selling pork butts also has an opinion, but since he didn't play Jeff Spiccoli, no one cares.

yes there are a few bad athletes, so that must mean they are ALL bad and they NEVER do anything for charity

cine: firstly, i'm not a democrat. i'm also not a republican. i re-registered as a dem so i could vote in the primary, but that is not my political affiliation.

you have got to be nuts if you think the democrats in congress have done more damage in the 1.5 years they've had control than the republicans have. what news are you watching anyway? fox? your blessed free market has virtually gutted our housing market, brought unemployment up to 5.0% (probably higher because those numbers are often "adjusted" by the government), brought about the highest levels of inflation we've seen since the 70s, and has allowed gas companies to make a KILLING off of your backs.

i just don't understand. at what point will people wake up and see what's going on? is it when you're standing outside your house that's worth $160k less than it was a year ago, and you're hitching a ride to the unemployment office because you can't even afford to put gas in your car to drive there? oh, nevermind. that's already happening in some places... and still we are having this discussion.

YY, in all fairness, the Bush Administration can't regulate the housing market or the loan industry and I don't want them too. The land grab that occurred was the fault of bad loans and greed. How is Bush responsible for that?

hey cine: good for you. but you and your boyfriend are not who i'm talking about. you're still missing the point. these people are not like you. they are born into money. and they are running (ruining, really) our country. actors don't have any power. perhaps they donate money to political parties... and they are famous so they get more air time than you or me, but they don't have a stable of lobbyists in washington who ask politicians to lower the regulations on corporations. if people want to go to the movies and put a whopping $10 in the pocket of a film production company that's their CHOICE. putting gas in your car, buying medication for your grandpa, paying your mortgage... those are not really a matter of choice. the people making money on those transactions are the ones i'm talking about.

i'm not saying everyone in the entertainment industry are all hard working angels who came from nothing. i'm just drawing a distinction between the creative class you so clearly hold a grudge against, and the people who are actually holding court over our "free market". america's royalty is NOT hollywood - it's wall street. corporations own this country. wake up!

Sean Penn is so bitter and hateful that regardless of his employment I wish he would stay the hell out of politics.

the idea that republicans are somehow working for the common man is just simply ridiculous.

This is the fundamental difference between liberals and conservatives. True conservatives don't want the government to "work for the common man". They want the government to get the hell out of the way so the common man can do for himself. The common conservative man is not excusing the GOP from taking care of him because he is so bitterly clinging to anger, guns and religion and needs the GOP but because he doesn't expect the GOP to take care of him or anybody else.

Stiletta, ex-Secretary of the Treasury John Snow, I believe (there's an article in New York Magazine) who said he resigned because he knew the deregulation was leading the housing market's loan practices to this explosion and was "disgusted" that Bush didn't seem to care. They had discussions about how the bad loans were being lumped in with good ones and repackaged and that it would poison the entire loaning industry (which it has). Now, I hear what you're saying about government not regulating private industry, but when they see something this big on the horizon and refuse to do anything, that's negligence pure and simple.

wake up is kinda harsh don't you think? Cine is very intelligent and though you may not agree with her, telling her to wake up comes off as pretty insulting.

As for corporations, well I'd rather have them here than not. And while some of their actions account for things you mention, they aren't 100% responsible for the price of gas or the price of medication (you can thank the Arabs and the FDA for a lot of those costs). They aren't perfect, but they do employ people and enable them to pay their bills and own their house.

Now if that person is foolish with their money as the MAJORITY of people are, that is not something I wish to regulate. You might disagree there.

jennifer: nice obama quote. you're absolutely right. but the weird thing is that the common conservative man isn't more annoyed by the fact that the GOP IS taking care of corporations when, according to the conservative play book, they aren't supposed to take care of anyone. seems a little backwards to me.

Jennifer, when I hear that tired argument it makes me laugh. Conservatives don't want government out of the way, they want their assistance more than anyone on welfare. If you truly believed that, cut subsidies for Big Oil, the Auto Industry and Telecommunications. Let those "little guys" do for themselves. And what about pro-life? Is that the government keeping out of our lives? Most conservatives argue that point as long as the government doesn't help other people.

So heres a question Rac, I see what you're saying about negligence, but what about in other areas?

Heart disease and obesity are the main killers of Americans. We know this, yet we don't regulate the fast food industry, would that be considered negligent under the same parameters?

Meanwhile who knew a discussion starting with Sean Penn would get so heated?!

Wow look at that. An article about a quote a celebrity made about Obama has turned into yet another tirade about Bush and his administration...

cabaker: no, we don't. that's because the fast food companies give the majority of their money to the republican party. to protect them from regulation.

oh and guess who makes money on the back end? the drug companies.

interesting... and scary!

Damn! I love when you make a good point, Cabaker. You're absolutely right. But we do have government protection to formulate safety guidelines on food which is why I love this country so much. We've developed a fine line between saying e coli bad and our problem, too much fat bad and your problem. It may not be perfect, but I think people need to be responsible on some level. As for the loans, most average citizens had no idea their loans were being repackaged and resold with bad loans that would then send the credit market spiraling. I think the government should have taken that one on. But that's my opinion.

Sean Penn is tearing this country apart!

Hold a grudge against the creative class? I am the freaking creative class! All my friends are artists, I am an artist. That is why I hold a grudge against nepotism, and favoritism, because most of my friends who are amazingly talented will never have an opportunity to show their work.

"you have got to be nuts if you think the democrats in congress have done more damage in the 1.5 years they've had control than the republicans have. what news are you watching anyway? fox?"

And you have to be insane if you think that the Dems have not contributed to anything that is occurring at this current time. Clinton was a president of serendipity. He had a HUGE tech boom while he was in office, so of course it was going to crash. There was no where for us to go! And you never addressed the affect NAFTA has had on the economy. That was not a Bush thing. The housing market was partly OUR FAULTS!!!!!!!! I know you don't want to accept that, but it is true. Yes housing prices are dropping but they are balancing out because they were so inflated. A 900 square foot house in Los Angles is not worth a million dollars, so when it sells for that, where do you expect the prices to go? Up to $1.5 million??? NO they are going to drop. People bought houses knowing we were in a bubble. There are so many factors to it, our housing market problems are not Bush's fault.

As for gas, there are other issues to take into consideration. Ever hear of OPEC? Why don't you give them a ring and find out what the hell is going on?

There are so many factors to our economy and all people focus on is Bush, or the war. What about the money tax payers are giving out to illegal immigrants? You think that is not a factor? Come on!

I am not a Bush fan, I did not even vote for him last election, but I just don't see how people blame him and all Republicans for all our problems, but turn a blind eye to the Democrats.

Oh and I have not watched Fox news in probably a year, but maybe if you turned off CNN and tuned into Fox now and again, you would see another perspective.

I think Sean Penn is a great actor, but he is way extreme in his politics.

By contrast, does this mean that John McCain is the candidate of low expectations? The new slogan:
"He might not be that much better than the Bush administration, but at least he doesn't get people's hopes us."

( I am teasing you guys. McCain is better than Bush. Not by a whole lot, but certainly an improvement.)

I agree to a certain extent. As much as the business side of me wants to tell Washington to stay the F out, the truth is that when these things happen, we all pay the price.

I don't know about Obama, but I know McCain has proposed making the loan paperwork much shorter and easier to understand, like a standarized format that all companies would use... among other things of course... I'm just always fascinated by the little changes that can make a huge difference!

haha candidate of low expectation!

shoot that was gonna be MY platform!!

Yesteryear - It seems a little backwards because you're viewing it from a liberal perspective. From a conservative perspective, backing off on government regulation and interference with business and using tax subsidies to encourage corporations to choose to do the things government wants rather than legislating isn't "taking care of" corporations. It's just the way it should be.

Raciccarone - Laugh all you want. Do you honestly believe the vast majority of Republicans are corporate head honchos looking out for themselves?

I have to point out that after 8 years of Republican rule, we are going into a recession. Just as we did after 8 years of Reagan "tickle down economics". The Bush Sr. recession was a direct result of the policies passed by Reagan.

Cabaker, I don't know if loan forms were the problem. I think the problem was greed. Pure and simple. And the only anecdote to that virus is government regulation. I hate it and wish it were different, but every time an industry has been deregulated, it's been a disaster: Savings and Loan, Energy (Enron) and now this disaster. Deregulation has never, ever helped anyone but a few very wealthy people at the top. Everyone else loses their pensions and savings.