On my Facebook feed, a sponsored link from Marie Claire magazine’s headline stated, “And the Celebrity Endorsements Roll In: A Breakdown of Which Stars Support Which Candidates.” Curiosity and a click led me to a slideshow, detailing who said this and who said that. Should I care? The answer is no, and you shouldn’t either. At least, not in the way they want us to.

The talented, pretty faces of celebrities have long been exploited to advertise any product willing and able to sign the check. This marketing scheme is an effective one, and buying something because a respected role-model supports it is entirely reasonable. It’s your money.

Supporting a charity or cause because of a celebrity can be sensible as long as you believe in the work those programs stand for. It’s your time and your effort.

However, the next president of the United States affects the lives of everyone in the country. It is irresponsible to vote for a candidate based off of celebrity endorsement, especially when some of them are paid for their public support. Others simply have poor reasons, or give no reason at all. “I’ll be voting for…” and that’s it.

“I think it’s time for a woman president,” Jennifer Lopez told E! And Katy Perry said, “I told Hillary Clinton that I would write her a ‘theme song’ if she needs it.” Candidates do not need theme-songs and gender has nothing to do with it.

I’m tired of hearing people say that they are going to vote for someone based on superficial notions that have no bearing on leadership.

Equal opportunity is important, but I think it’s time for a competent and reliable president with solid plans and effective methods for implementing those plans. If you believe those plans and methods are Clinton’s after researching her political positions, then vote for her.

Don’t vote for her because she’s a woman, and certainly don’t vote for a candidate based off of promotional schemes. They are called schemes for a reason.

“Make America Great Again!” is Donald Trump’s tagline. Musician Ted Nugent said that Trump’s “campaign is just what the working hard, playing hard American families have been waiting for.”

Actor Anthony Mackie said, “I’m on the bandwagon” in his support of Trump.

Other celebrities such as actress Kirstie Alley admire his “fire at will” mentality. Nugent is right in the fact that people today love entertainment, but we shouldn’t be waiting for campaigns.

We should be actively searching for someone to represent the nation, not waiting to be passively entertained and fed unreliable information.

Vote for Trump if you agree with his plans, methods and philosophy. Research your candidates, understand where they are coming from and what they plan to do if they are elected, and do not be idle in keeping yourself informed.

Celebrities are not reliable sources and blanket statements serve no purpose other than to keep people asleep. Whether you are following Clinton, Trump, Bernie Sanders, Jeb Bush, Martin O’Malley, Ted Cruz, Lawrence Lessig, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson or one of the numerous others understand that they’re human. They make mistakes and can learn from them, and none of them will be perfect.

None of them have the power to “save” our country, only to help us save ourselves.

All of the candidates have stories and agendas. Wake up and flip past the cover, make sure their version represents yours, and only buy the story once you know you’re willing to accept the plot holes and character flaws.

The election is a few pages away, but it will decide the next chapter for the United States.