Albert Brooks wrote an interesting piece for Huffington Post recently, and points out the current hypocrisy that exists on the right side of the aisle: “The Democratic Party can now be assured forever that nothing, nothing, nothing they will do will stop the insanity. Or Sean Insanity, whatever you want to call it. If they are hoping for good publicity from the majority media, (yes, I’m sorry Fox, but you are now the highest rated news network) forget it. Writing on the hand is okay, teleprompter is not. Opening up health care is okay, opening up the meeting with Republicans is not.”

As much as we love Albert Brooks, the following questions need to be asked: Is the Democratic side of the aisle perfect? Here’s another question Albert should have asked: “Why must the left run to the nearest comedian for commentary, insight and political punditry?” Does it help the left’s credibility on facts and issues to have John Stewart as a spokesperson? Is accepting failures in political communication beneath the Democratic grasp? One must think it almost is given the current state of politics in the United States.

As President Obama continues to compromise-away any real health care legislation that would be of an “objective” value, purely in favor of winning Republican “bi-partisanship” and corportate interests, why isn’t the Left blowing the whistle on him?! Why didn’t the Right blow the whistle on George W. Bush when he wasted over 1 Trillion dollars in an Iraq war that was declared on false pretenses?

As a journalist, one has to maintain an objectivity that is considered above “human” in a sense. No political bias, no political candidate favorites, no agenda interests that dare bring moral ethics into question, no political party association (in a sense).

The entertainment community is in a position – some might say an enviable position, to have courage, insight, and influence, but too often, the pleasant, and safe retreat of “humor and satire” rears it’s ugly head, and is the American public to assume it’s okay and alright if we all have a laugh? The question is, when America is done laughing at our comedians’ spot-on political punditry, when can real health care, human rights, and political progress “begin to happen” in the United States? What role can a journalist play to bring about action?