In August, when country singer John Rich declared at a Republican rally in Florida that Johnny Cash would have backed John McCain, the Man in Black’s daughter Rosanne Cash set the record straight on her website:

"It is appalling to me that people still want to invoke my father’s name, five years after his death, to ascribe beliefs, ideals, values and loyalties to him that cannot possibly be determined, and to try to further their own agendas by doing so. This is especially dangerous in the case of political affiliation."

 In a recent interview with Observer Music Monthly, Rosanne Cash–who has released over half a dozen albums and published a collection of short stories entitled Bodies of Water  and a children’s  book Penelope Jane: A Fairy’s Tale–explains, "There are a lot of things that I read about my father that I let pass. This I just couldn’t let pass. It’s their presumption that’s so galling. My father was a real human being with a lot of political passion and his own ideas. Even though he’s been gone five years, it’s not OK to borrow his beliefs – or what you assume to be his beliefs."

Protective and respectful of her late father’s views, the Grammy winning singer/songwriter  goes on to say, "’If I had initially responded by saying things that I know to be true about his political beliefs then I would have been doing the same thing–co-opting his views for my own agenda, and that’s still not fair, even though I’m his daughter. I’ve always tried to restrain myself–I only said recently how opposed he was to the invasion of Iraq."

Though admitting to supporting Obama, Cash raises a good point when it comes to celebrity endorsements of politicians. "Do people really care about celebrity endorsements anyway? I’m not going to vote for someone just because Barbra Streisand says she likes him."

Among the slings and arrow flung at Democrats by the right is the dreaded (heavy sarcasm) "celebrity endorsement." Celebrities speak out on any number of subjects, and because they have access to the media, their views  are reported. They are often asked they opinions, and like everyone, they have a right to speak it. While some stars may feel they have a mandate to express what they think about issues, it is demeaning for the opposition to think that American voters are sheep who will be blindly lead to  vote for a candidate simply because a star endorses them.

Obviously the public is intrigued, fascinated and at times appalled by celebrities shenanigans,  but actors, sports figures or singers–while they may draw attention to a candidate or cause–are not the reason a vote is cast yay or nay.

Are celebrities are out of touch with the rest of America? No more or less than each and every one us is. It’s our responsibility to be informed on the issues, to look below the surface, and our right to express our views.