Why should Hollywood be allowed to speak out politically when the rest of us can't do that at our jobs?

I agree. I don't go to movies anymore for that very reason. I'll just wait and watch them on TV for free. I'm a conservative Republican and am sick of Hollywood and the left wing liberal Democrat bias media continually complaining about Republicans. I cancelled my newspaper subscription, Time, Newsweek and never watch NBC, CBS, ABC, MSDNC and CNN. I'm already boycotting and have been for awhile. A star for you!

Huh? So it's the fault of Hollywood that you can't be apolitical activist at work? If you had chosen to be a thespian instead of whatever it is you do for a living. You too could enjoy the privilege you claim that Hollywood has. The again Hollywood is a place and not a person. So your question makes no sense.

There can be ramifications, but - remember - they are independent contractors, so it's much more different than working 9-5 in a company structure.

Once upon a time actors and comedians were just the court jesters.

Now they are lauded as learned sages.

So why are they turning into such powerful pundits? The are actors for crying out loud. They make their living pretending.

That's your right to do so. And in some cases it has shut them up.

Because they are not "at their jobs" when they speak as a private citizen.