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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOprah Winfrey Helped Create Our Irrational Pseudoscientific American Fantasyland - Slate
https://slate.com/health-and-science/2018/01/oprah-winfrey-helped-create-our-irrational-pseudoscientific-american-fantasyland.htmlForty-eight hours ago, after watching Oprah Winfrey give a terrific, rousing feminist speech on an awards show, millions of Americans instantly, giddily decided that the ideal 2020 Democratic nominee had appeared. An extremely rich and famous and exciting star and impresariobut one who seems intelligent and wise and kind, the nonBizarro World version of the sitting president.
Some wet-blanketing followed immediately, among the best from the New York Times Magazine writer Thomas Chatterton Williams in an op-ed headlined Oprah, Dont Do It. It would be a devastating, self-inflicted wound for the Democrats to settle for even benevolent mimicry of Mr. Trumps hallucinatory circus act, he wrote. Indeed, the magical thinking fueling the idea of Oprah in 2020 is a worrisome sign about the state of the Democratic Party.
Despite the magical thinking reference, neither Williams nor other skeptics have seriously addressed the big qualm I have about the prospect of a President Winfrey: Perhaps more than any other single American, she is responsible for giving national platforms and legitimacy to all sorts of magical thinking, from pseudoscientific to purely mystical, fantasies about extraterrestrials, paranormal experience, satanic cults, and more. The various fantasies she has promoted on all her media platformsher daily TV show with its 12 million devoted viewers, her magazine, her website, her cable channelarent as dangerous as Donald Trumps mainstreaming of false conspiracy theories, but for three decades she has had a major role in encouraging Americans to abandon reason and science in favor of the wishful and imaginary.
Long article well worth the time to read.
Sid
LexVegas
(6,493 posts)whathehell
(29,626 posts)Last edited Sat Jan 13, 2018, 05:03 AM - Edit history (1)
but she is an intelligent, compassionate person, and unlike Trump, a- hugely successful, self made billionaire.
Orrex
(63,886 posts)I might need to slap on some Kinoki pads to deal with the toxicity.
k/r
HAB911
(9,323 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,577 posts)Worked with her on a film. She's a diva.
Beaverhausen
(24,560 posts)Please tell us more.
GoneOffShore
(17,577 posts)Then had her assistant rip on the same person as a follow-up and told them that if they even looked at Ms W she would have that person sacked and escorted off the production.
Beaverhausen
(24,560 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,577 posts)riversedge
(72,622 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Can't deliver an excellent speech without then being relentlessly attacked or elevated to deity status.
#oprahspokeforme
Oprah has shown no intentions of running for President. She is being vetted because she gave a speech. A speech that speaks for most of us.
Orrex
(63,886 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Nice to see you.
"vaguely non-dismissive of her possible presidential aspirations" Orrex
You keep responding to me in a way that makes me smile. I appreciate it.
You go vet big bad Oprah as her "inner circle is vaguely non-dismissive of her possible presidential aspirations."
That is a great line.
Orrex
(63,886 posts)It's your only moment of lucidity in this entire discussion.
I know that you're not an idiot, so I must conclude that you're missing the point on purpose.
al bupp
(2,291 posts)Is there not room, madam or sir, for seeing the situation differently? Oh, and I agree about the loveliness of your phrase.
Baconator
(1,459 posts)She has peddled hokum st the expense of Americans for decades now.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)Last edited Sat Jan 13, 2018, 05:04 AM - Edit history (1)
I see a lot of resentment here and I don't think it's all about the content of her shows.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(26,476 posts)Secondly, looking closely at her and her background and what she's supported is NOT being relentlessly attacked.
exboyfil
(17,917 posts)is giving Oprah a run for her money. I first remember when the specialty science and social studies channels first came onto cable. They offered meaty documentaries full of facts.
Then the History channel became the Hitler channel.
Now it is the ET channel.
Oprah is an entertainer that needs to get eyeballs on the screen. She is working to meet the demands of her audience. She will need to answer for those decisions if she decides to enter the political ring.
hatrack
(60,565 posts)exboyfil
(17,917 posts)What do you think is behind those human skins the GOP leadership wear?
<a href="https://imgflip.com/i/22o4en"><img src="" title="made at imgflip.com"/></a>
rusty fender
(3,428 posts)kcr
(15,510 posts)As if that didn't exist before she came along. But otherwise, I agree with the overall assessment regarding Oprah. She would be terrible. But, I won't be a bit surprised when we end up with President Oprah because Trump has caused us to lose our ever loving minds.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)and I'm not getting the Oprah Hate here.
Dave Starsky
(5,914 posts)She's just not qualified. Period.
And before anyone says, "B-b-b-but Trump--!", I will remind them that yes, that's exactly the point.
I would no more want Oprah to be President than I would want Ryan Seacrest to put braces on my kids' teeth.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)an unwarranted disdain.
I've heard it from other men and I think it's fueled, in no small part, by
jealousy, misogyny and an overall ignorance of who she is.
Your comparison of her to someone like Ryan Seacrest tells me
you actually know little about her.
As I said, I don't favor her for President, but I'd take her over ANY Republican any day of the week.
Dave Starsky
(5,914 posts)to put braces on my kids' teeth.
Nor be president.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)whathehell
(29,626 posts)Dentistry is a profession requiring specific medical and technical skills, none of which are required to be president.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)I hope the next president has the technical skills to be a president. You know, level-headed, intelligent, familiar with how government works, etc etc.
Sometimes this place makes me weep for the future. Jesus fucking christ.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)of intelligence, curiosity, self-awareness & compassion...Oprah has all of these . She basically lacks only experience -- Comparing her to Trump is absurd.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)Him and his morons can't run a fucking conference call, much less a branch of the government. The dumbass doesn't even know how executive orders differ from actual laws.
Oprah has no government experience (let's set aside all the woo that she's peddled.)
First and foremost, I want a candidate that can do the fucking job. I don't have to want to sit down and have a beer with them.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)Um, no, but it is more than the "lack of skills" you offered.
Do take your surly, deliberate misreading of my post elsewhere.
I don't give a flying who you want or don't want as a candidate.
RedFury
(85 posts)...but I'm neither looking for a guru nor a touchy-feely presidency. And it's disturbing that it's even being discussed.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)I don't know what you are talking about...Please define what is so "great for her and her fans".
whathehell
(29,626 posts)and Oprah, while in no way a first choice, is not someone whose presidency I would "weep' over, nor should any other democrat.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts).. knowing how appropriations work, knowing the powers and responsibilities of the justice department, or the regulatory power of the executive branch w/r/t Immigration and Customs. Knowing how other countries' governments work, knowing what treaty obligations the US has, knowing how import and excise taxes work.
Not 'technical' my ass.
Response to X_Digger (Reply #84)
Post removed
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)Who knows what they/we might think of Oprah when we see her opponents if she decides to run.
Would I vote for Oprah if my choice was Oprah or Trump? Yes. Wholeheartedly though I think the selection will be broader than Oprah v. Trump.
I have no idea what kind of platform, what policy stances or issues Oprah would run on, but she has the right kind of personality, of personal appeal.
We need a candidate who reaches out to people with a lot of caring and love. I know that's hard for policy-wonks to understand. But many people vote based on the candidate's personality, not based on the candidate's expertise or experience. We saw that with Trump. It may seem unfortunate to many here, but it is the truth.
We need a JFK type who combines personality, experience and understanding of policy. We need, also, a Democrat with a big heart. Voters need a candidate whose personality seems to embrace them. I would also like a candidate with Obama's steadiness and maturity.
sl8
(16,189 posts)I may be picking a nit, but the author doesn' t claim that Oprah created the "American Fantasyland", but only that she helped create it.
To me, at least, there's a significant difference.
kcr
(15,510 posts)I think it's more accurate to say she contributed to a problem that already existed. And now she will contribute to the same problem Trump is. The notion that all you need for POTUS/high national office is name recognition. That is what really bothers me about the whole thing.
When they said "helped to create", perhaps they meant the state of affairs today. You're right, it's not a new problem. People have believed silly shit since there have been people.
longship
(40,416 posts)I give you Orac's opinion. (That's oncologist, Dr. David Gorski).
Anybody Remember Pseudoscience Quackery She's Promoted
She may have a good social conscience, but her ignorance of science is frightening.
I'll leave it there.
The Polack MSgt
(13,398 posts)whathehell
(29,626 posts)Mitch McConnell....Need I go on?
.
longship
(40,416 posts)She is uniquely unqualified, plus supports all sorts of woo-woo. Her profound ignorance of science is a non-starter for me.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)Beyond that, she's not an absolute empiricist -- Her mind Is open.
longship
(40,416 posts)That's the rather big problem.
The Secret!!! The fucking Secret!!!
John of God!!! Fucking John of God!!!
Dr. Phil!!!
Dr. Oz!!! Fuck them both!
Jenny fucking anti-vaccination McCarthy!!!!!!!!
Nope. No can support anybody as blinkered ignorant as Oprah Winfrey.
Anyway, she's not going to run, so the whole thing is elementary anyway. However, I have to stand up forcefully against pseudoscience.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)pertinent to our current political concerns., You're time would be better spent bashing that present danger than an intelligent liberal who is not, and likely will not, ever seek office.
longship
(40,416 posts)For me, either you support science, or you don't.
Oprah might support climate science, but she ignores science-based medicine in favor of utter rubbish. For Christ sakes, she supports John of God with his cheap carny tricks and claims that he cures fucking cancer!!! There is no excuse for such a thing. None whatsoever.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)so maybe you should be spending your time dealing with that instead of Oprah. Just sayin'.
longship
(40,416 posts)is the extent that I will post in opposition to it.
No POTUS Oprah? No longship response. It's really simple.
Hope everything is well with you.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)and, for your sake, at least, I hope that "opposition" draws a bit more interest
than 36 recs.
longship
(40,416 posts)I only care about putting a competent, experienced person in the job as POTUS. Anybody who ignores science and supports medical carny tricks as cancer cures, anti-vaccination kooks, and the fucking Secret is a non-starter for me.
Apparently to some, that is just okee donkey.
Not for me it isn't.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)In the face of overwhelming disinterest, I guess that's all that's left.
longship
(40,416 posts)That's a funny one.
As always. My best to you.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)of those dangerous right-wing bastards who are trying to dismantle our democracy?
COUNTDOWN TO NOVEMBER 6: 296 days.
Tomorrow will be 295 days to when we will find out if Republicans continue to hold Congress until 2020.
GET it at all?
longship
(40,416 posts)I just have hostility to anybody that scientifically ignorant in the White House.
Her social conscience is beyond dispute. However, her science education is abysmal! And that matters a whole lot when one aspires to the presidency of the USA. At least to some people.
Oh! And I am all over the 2018 mid-terms.
And I tend to ridicule those trotting out 2020 presidential candidates at this stage, especially celebrities, especially those that make their careers on championing pseudoscientific woo-woo rubbish.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)I promise jf you look right you'll find more than a little worthy of fighting. And we are in a war for the future of our nation, after all.
longship
(40,416 posts)But I also criticize those who promote ignorance in science. They really piss me off, because science education is one thing that the USA has managed to do right. When people get that wrong, it harms our country.
My education was in science, so it is natural that I would have this opinion. But how many world leaders have promoted crap like The Secret or John of God?
Or quackery like Dr. Oz or anti-vaccination like Jenny McCarthy.
We are seeing a lot of anti-education crap with Drumpf, and his edumacation secretary Betsy Wetsy DeVos. DOE Secy Perry wanted to eliminate the DOE before he became its Secy and found out that it controlled all of the US nuclear arsenal. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
IMHO, ignorance is no excuse in matters such as these. We don't learn by our mistakes. Apparently.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)Nonhlanhla
(2,074 posts)Unqualified, yes, but not uniquely or even particularly so. Compared to the entire GOP, including The-Critter-Currently-Occupying-The-White-House, and the list of male celebrities (Tom Hanks, Mark Zucherberg, etc.) regularly paraded as political options, Oprah is actually not uniquely unqualified. In fact, unqualified though she may be (due to the promotion of quackery and her lack of political experience), she is nevertheless a lot more qualified than a lot of people in politics.
Perspective.
longship
(40,416 posts)She is head-over-heals better. Rather compare her to competent presidents. There she utterly fails. And on medical science, and science in general, she is woefully ignorant. That's a big deal killer for me. Her history on the subject is absolutely horrible.
One cannot ignore her record on these issues. She doesn't get a Get out of jail free card merely because she just so happens to be on the right side of the science on climate change.
She is 180 degrees wrong on science and medicine.
That should be a deal killer for any rational person.
My best to you.
Nonhlanhla
(2,074 posts)My point was to dispute the phrase "uniquely unqualified," which would suggest that she is more unqualified than most people who run for office. She clearly is not uniquely unqualified. Most of Congress is in the hands of complete incompetents (also known as the GOP), which means that to add "uniquely" to saying Oprah is unqualified is an undeserved insult to her.
I have been defending Oprah against this kind of attack for several days now, despite the fact that I do not think she should run. As I said in my previous post, I don't think she is qualified, both because of her lack of political experience and because of her fondness for scientific quackery. But compared to most people in office, or most people who have been mentioned as potential presidents, she is actually fairly qualified.
greatauntoftriplets
(176,688 posts)He's great!
Gothmog
(153,669 posts)Stellar
(5,644 posts)a man wrote it. F'**em!
Baconator
(1,459 posts)Find a logical , factual point to work with or shut your mouth.
Are they right or wrong? If so... Why?
That's what matters and not the authors gender.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)and how dare you command anyone here to "shut your mouth"?
That is totally out of line.
sl8
(16,189 posts)Last edited Sat Jan 13, 2018, 07:56 PM - Edit history (1)
Stellar claims that the only articles they have read have been written by men. That's fine, I have no reason to doubt them.
How is it that you're able to confirm what Stellar has or hasn't read?
whathehell
(29,626 posts)is the same.
sl8
(16,189 posts)Last edited Mon Jan 15, 2018, 08:57 PM - Edit history (1)
Just because you also have only read the negative pieces written by men, doesn'tconfirm that's what anyone else has or hasn't read.
There are plenty of recent pieces written by women about why Oprah for President is a bad idea.
Edit to add:
A quick search turns up recent opinion pieces written by women, against the idea of Oprah running for President, in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Mother Jones, The Wall Street Journal, Vox, Vice and others.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)President Oprah? Maybe she should go for city council first
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article193861244.html
What does Oprah represent? Fake science, hucksters and greed
https://nypost.com/2018/01/08/no-oprah-havent-we-learned-our-lesson-with-celebrity-candidates/
whathehell
(29,626 posts)so yeah, sometimes the gender of a post's "author" DOES matter.
Baconator
(1,459 posts)... should be dismissed out of hand.
I say again... Unless you can make a logical, factual and rational point about their bit then it's better to shush until you are ready.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)when virtually ALL the naysaying come from a group (men) whose negativity is in inverse proportion to their familiarity with the subject (Oprah), it"s suspicious.
It was you who dismissed Stelar's comment "out of hand" and with great rudeness.
As to setting the criteria and parameters of this discussion, who are you to make the rules?
I'll say it again -- It"s out of line.
Baconator
(1,459 posts)Not because of gender...
See the difference?
I don't set the rules. The standards of intellectual honesty and ethical debate are long established.
I was just referencing them and pointing out where they were violated.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)No one will convince me there's not at least some level of misogyny coupled with jealousy going on. So she's not an absolute empiricist, so what?
By the way, no one here has the right to tell you to "keep your mouth shut". What gall.
muriel_volestrangler
(102,309 posts)(I didn't see it myself): https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210079861
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Stellar
(5,644 posts).. and how do you know.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)President Oprah? Maybe she should go for city council first
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article193861244.html
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)What does Oprah represent? Fake science, hucksters and greed
https://nypost.com/2018/01/08/no-oprah-havent-we-learned-our-lesson-with-celebrity-candidates/
Stellar
(5,644 posts)Every article that I read so far a man had written it.
You do understand the term 'so far' don't you? It was just an observation.
I WILL NOT SELF DELETE.
Sorry if it bothers your eyes.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Stellar
(5,644 posts)USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Stellar
(5,644 posts)SunSeeker
(53,432 posts)I'm not. I don't think we'll do that. Dems want a different nominee, as a recent poll demonstrated:
https://www.npr.org/2018/01/12/577456987/oprah-beats-trump-in-npr-poll-but-most-americans-dont-want-her-to-run-for-presid I don't know why some people are losing their shit over Oprah.
I certainly think we have way better potential candidates. But if she does run (highly unlikely) and miraculously wins the primary (also unlikely), I would walk over broken glass to vote for her OR ANY DEMOCRAT running against Trump. Wouldn't you?
radical noodle
(8,268 posts)would be a better president than trump.
SunSeeker
(53,432 posts)Ellipsis
(9,154 posts)EllenlogRL
(16 posts)Oprah helped promote bogus things like The Secret, which is a total scam of a book. According to the logic of that book, starving people in 3rd world countries "attracted" their poverty to themselves.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)Most people aren't and tthe claim that The Secret is a "total scam of a book" is, I believe, a matter of opinion.
GoneOffShore
(17,577 posts)It's a carny trick to get money from the gullible.
No way is it a 'matter of opinion'.
Dave Starsky
(5,914 posts)It is not a physical law. The laws of physics work in the opposite direction. Opposites attract in the natural world. Positive electric charge flows to negative electric charge. Physical conditions flow from a state of higher gradient to a lower gradient over time.
The Law of Positive Attraction works in that you really can make some money convincing some people that they can get rich visualizing the wealth they will have, while you cash their checks on the backside.
pressbox69
(2,252 posts)of Oprah making a 2020 run is driving the republiklans insane, and that's good. I don't think she'll run but it's obvious they hate the idea of a strong black woman winning the White House. Perhaps Oprah should support someone like herself but with experience.
LSFL
(1,112 posts)That is an unforgivable deal breaker regardless of skin tone or gender.
A most suitably named person
LSFL
(1,112 posts)I sometimes have to run interference to keep my wife and in-laws from falling for his quackery.
I believe that Oprah is a decent and reasonably honest person. Her weakness is she assumes everyone else is too.
lindysalsagal
(22,275 posts)If you're looking for truth, ignore 99.9% of what's on tv.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)When did consensual reality take a back seat to "I'm right and everyone else is wrong?" What role did television play?
sfwriter
(3,032 posts)I think America would be forced to wake up and smell the snake oil.
sfwriter
(3,032 posts)but she would need a mea culpa for this sort of pseudoscience and that public discussion would be of great value.
whathehell
(29,626 posts)I don't want an inexperienced person for the presidency, but she beats out any and all
Republicans, and most certainly Trump.
sfwriter
(3,032 posts)whathehell
(29,626 posts)Basically a whole 'nother thing.
sfwriter
(3,032 posts)And I think a lot of Dems fear that. I worry about the anti axing and doctor Phil crap, but she could dispel th m in one speech.
I agree.and, like I said, she wouldn't be my first choice, but we could do worse.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)She is the magical answer for 2020.
Ask no questions.
Cast no doubt.
Just get in line.
Oh, one more thing :
democrank
(11,230 posts)Oprah deserves credit for all she has accomplished and for any good she has contributed to society.
From where I sit, Oprah seems to have a tendency to latch onto fads and gimmicks. I lean toward a little less Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and a little more downhome, dirt-under-your-nails grit. Plus, I'd rather see Gail King stay at CBS instead of having Ivanka's desk at the White House.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)And John Solomon will interview her hairdresser.
uponit7771
(91,342 posts)Sophia4
(3,515 posts)And we should not choose our candidate too early.
Once we choose him or her, we should unite behind the candidate, so let's choose a candidate that unites us.
If Oprah is that candidate, I will support her.
Hillary had a great disadvantage in that the Republican Party and her own conduct made her a very controversial candidate. The Republicans had years and years to place her integrity and history in doubt.
We need a candidate that makes it hard for the Republicans to put the candidate in a questionable light. We need a surprise but very good candidate. It's important that a presidential candidate have a strong, outgoing personality if possible.
Obama won in part because he is not stuck on himself and has a very "light" feeling, that is people feel comfortable in his presence or when they watch him in videos. We need a candidate with that kind of personality who also has good stances on the issues.
That kind of personality is important because many people who don't follow politics closely, who are not well informed about the issues and personalities, vote based on the candidate's personality, vote based on their impression of the candidate gained from very little exposure. So a candidate who makes a good impression on voters is likely to win. That's what we need -- a winner. People like Oprah and would probably vote for her. But I have no idea what her views are on the issues.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)She just produces shows designed to entertain Americans. Can we stop with the paranoid "one person is responsible for everything that is wrong with us" fantasies?
pnwmom
(109,441 posts)before Oprah came along. She "created" magical thinking. Wow.
Freethinker65
(10,991 posts)She also highlighted non-charlatans, medical/scientific/academic/literary professionals, celebrities, and everyday individuals she felt had compelling stories for her audience. She also built a media company and other businesses that I believe fairly pay their employees, and honor contracts, and try to avoid bankruptcy, and pay taxes. I do not remember her charitable foundation(s) except perhaps for a school(?) getting into problems (but even then, I do not believe it was an issue of her using the foundation as a personal slush fund or to launder money).
Honestly at this point Oprah would not be on my short list for President, but I am not basing this on the fact that she promoted Dr Phil, Dr Oz, and the Secret. I would have to know much more about what she planned to do as President vs. other primary candidates, before casting my primary vote.
uponit7771
(91,342 posts)left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Mosby
(17,249 posts)Great piece.
pnwmom
(109,441 posts)before Oprah came along.
pnwmom
(109,441 posts)EDUCATION: According to Forbes, Winfrey had given away approximately $400 million to educational causes by 2012, including nearly 400 scholarships to Morehouse College, and more than $40 million in operating support for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa. Shes also given at least $10 million to A Better Chance. Its mission is to improve access to quality education for students of color, and has given $1 million or more to at least nine different charter school organizations in a number of different areas throughout the country. Mentoring programs have also received support.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,577 posts)KTM
(1,823 posts)And she was awesome.
So the Republicans were all, "Oh, you want a Woman ? Ok, here is Sarah Palin!" and we all and made fun of them for thinking "Just give them any Woman" and we were all "LOL they just don't get it."
And then we had a Black Guy, and he was awesome.
So the Republicans were all "Oh, so it's Black Guys now ? Ok, here is Herman Cain!" and we all and made fun of them for thinking "Just give them any Black Guy" and we were all "LOL they just don't get it."
And then on a fluke the Republicans won with an Inexperienced Celebrity, and...
...this feels like that.
CakeGrrl
(10,611 posts)I think she's too caught up in Hollywood showmanship and has some poor character insights.
She's too easy to create oppo against. Dems are woefully slow on the uptake when it comes to getting ahead of their opponents. I've already seen pics of her planting a kiss on Harvey Weinstein's cheek, and appearing to broker a contact between Weinstein and a fresh-faced actress.
Shortly after Trump's election, he gave some interview (full of lies, of course), after which she said something to the effect of 'I think we can all breathe now', as if to say "See everybody? There's nothing to worry about. Trump will do well!"
Nope. I hope she doesn't run.
The Dems need someone that the GOP/Russia cannot easily exploit, distract or obscure with innuendo.
VOX
(22,976 posts)It certainly greased the wheels for Trumps candidacy. Billionaire Mark Cuban is currently considering a run. Billionaire Tom Steyer is being coy (I like Steyer, but have no clue if he could efficiently oversee our government).
There will be more (and FAR worse) of these vanity candidates, because you can buy your way into politics pretty quickly these days.
Ending Citizens United would provide some protection against this foolishness, but Republicans will never go for it.
AnnieBW
(11,134 posts)Like Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz. No more celebrity Presidents!
Hekate
(94,160 posts)Please, no more TV celebrities
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)to research and think for oneself.
As we have seen.