Rachel Weisz, US citizen, supports Bernie Sanders & wants higher taxes

weisz more

I love Rachel Weisz. I know some of you think she’s meh, but I really enjoy her. She’s sassy, funny and interesting, and she’s getting Daniel Craig’s business on the reg. What’s not to love? Rachel covers the new issue of More Magazine and the Englishwoman ends up chatting about American politics. Um, is she an American citizen now? Oooh, I just looked it up – SHE IS!! She talked about it back in 2012, saying: “I did it because I thought I would go back to England for a while and lose my green card. I’m not going back now but being a citizen means I can vote here which is exciting, not just being an outsider. When I come back into the country now and they stamp my passport they say ‘Welcome home, Ma’am.’ I think that’s a lovely formality. No one in England would say that, would they?” That answer is so much better than Emily Blunt’s shenanigans.

Anyway, I did know that Rachel and Daniel have a place in New York (I think they have a Manhattan apartment as well as a country home), which means Rachel is a New York voter. And she’s going to vote for Bernie Sanders! Well, well. Some highlights from More:

On how roles for women in Hollywood differ from roles for men: “Men get the more complex roles. Things have become too glossy for women. We have to be ‘likable,’ which is not very likable at all. It’s hard to like someone who’s just sweet. You want a real person, one who irritates you and mystifies you and frustrates you and makes you cry. You want everything from a character. Not to just stand there and look nice. Likability is code for ‘Shut up and look good.’”

Keeping her marriage private: “He’s just too famous. It would be a betrayal. You have to protect your marriage. When you’re young, you tell your girlfriends everything. One of the great pleasures of not being an adolescent is that you don’t have to share everything. When you’re married, that door closes. The audience goes, and you’re in your own life.”

On her support for Bernie Sanders: “As far as I can tell, Sanders is the only person talking about the poverty divide. And saying mums should have 12 weeks’ maternity leave to bond with their children. I come from Europe—I believe we should pay more taxes and have the state look after those who fall through the net. Isn’t that what Jesus would do?”

On how she feels about this time in her life: “Well, everybody’s aging, and we’re all going to die. Getting older, there’s a reality about mortality, but it’s hard to be young, too. It’s hard to not know who you are. My twenties were painful at times. Now I have wisdom and experience—I know what interests me in a way I didn’t before. I’m much more focused on what matters to me. I waste less time. There’s a huge relief in that.”

On her advice for aging gracefully: “I once did an interview with a friend, and she said, ‘Don’t you think Botox should be banned, like steroids for athletes?’ I said, ‘Yeah, yeah!’ And that became this quote of mine, when in fact I think people should do whatever they like, whatever gets them through the day.”

[From More Magazine]

You know what I think? I think some people in other countries are a little bit jealous of how much fun Americans have with our political process. Like, voting in Canada sounds boring. Voting in England seems dull. Voting in America is full of drama! Of course Rachel wanted to come here to vote! Meanwhile, it’s feeling more and more like Bernie Sanders has a lot of the Hollywood Lefty support lined up. I mean, some celebrities are pro-Hillary, but it does feel like most of the “cool” celebrities are Feelin’ the Bern. Now Sanders has Rachel, Mark Ruffalo, Nikki Reed, Patton Oswalt, Jeremy Piven (seriously?), Will Ferrell and Belinda Carlisle. I’m not even making that up. You can see some of Sanders’ celebrity endorsements here.

Photos courtesy of Getty, cover courtesy of More Magazine.

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87 Responses to “Rachel Weisz, US citizen, supports Bernie Sanders & wants higher taxes”

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  1. mimi says:

    Jealous of the political process / voting in the States? Sorry, but .. nope. not one bit. I’m scared enough as it is of what’s to come (not just out of the States, mind you!) in the next couple of years. The drama just makes it seem so much more unprofessional to me to the point it very much turns me off.

    • original kay says:

      yeah, pretty sure the comment was tongue in cheek.

      relax, it’s Friday.

      • mimi says:

        whoops, didn’t get that at all. But yeah, you’re probably right.

        ETA: and yes, I should relax. where’s my wine?

      • jenben says:

        I didn’t read the comment as tongue-in-cheek at all, and it’s rude to tell someone to relax imo 🙂

      • Miss Jupitero says:

        I didn’t hear “tongue in cheek.” I should hope it is just that. I find this election to be pretty terrifying.

        And yeah. Canada? Boring Hahahahaha! Yeah this is tongue in cheek. It has to be.

      • MND says:

        @jessia: Yep. Principles before personalities. Obama is just another imperialist warmonger. I don’t care how witty and charming he seems to be.

    • McLori says:

      Voting in Canada is boring? Did you even see who we elected last month?

      • BOBSLAW says:

        Tongue in cheek or not, way to go voter turnout in Canada! It’s a great thing to be able to vote.

      • jessia says:

        Trudeu have more experience then Obama does. Plus he is better liked too. Obama’s true colors are coming out now.

      • sienna says:

        I’m Canadian and i think the process of voting in Canada is boring compared to the US… the 2 year run upto an actual election is riveting.

        Right now I’m just sitting scared sh*tless in Alberta while every week someone I know gets laidoff and the nicest thing I can say about our new PM is that he has good hair.

        Also, whenever my hubby goes back to England they always welcome him home.

      • Sarah says:

        @Sienna I understand how you feel – watching people around you losing their jobs is truly heartbreaking, but that’s hardly Trudeau’s fault. Many economists in Canada and beyond warned about the drop in oil prices, sadly, both levels of government have refused to diversify Alberta’s economy as well as recklessly spending the money kept for rainy days in order to lower taxes for big oil companies.

  2. Lindy79 says:

    I’ll hold my hand up and say I dont know what Bernie Sanders policies are but, when she says she wants to pay more taxes I hope she means as a higher income earner because coming from a country where the middle income working families such as myself are getting screwed more and more, I’m not up for paying more, sorry.
    Also in Ireland, we have laughable tax rates for artists, which is great for the lower earning ones but the ones who earn millions get away with paying feck all, and why a lot of none Irish celebs have accounts here.

    • Pedro45 says:

      Yes, she means wealthy people in the US should pay more in order to close the huge gap in wealth.

    • Joaneu says:

      @Lindy – We have exactly the same problem here in France with high-earning artists running astray from their potential high tax contribution. Two examples are Johnny Hallyday and Gérard Depardieu, the latter who went so far as to abandon his French nationality and publicly throw away his passport. There was even a famous French actress who ran to the U.S. to avoid paying taxes all the while keeping a relationship with a national financial minister.

      I understand Rachel’s viewpoint but Europe is Europe. As is each individual country within the E.U. Policies and philosophies that work here cannot just be transplanted somewhere else.

      • SusanneToo says:

        @Red. Alabama needs to revise its tax structure, as it penalizes the poor and middle class with high sales taxes and fees for services to offset the almost non-existant property taxes. Did you know that as an individual or coorporation you can own thousands of acres, put a few trees on it, call it timberland and pay less than $2.00 an acre property taxes? It’s wrong, but won’t change as long as the Tea Partiers are running our state. There is not a single Democrat in statewide office. And nationwide the richest benefit from our tax laws. Yeah, I wish we had more Bernies.

        Sorry, wrong place – response to Red

    • SusanneToo says:

      Yes, higher taxes for the wealthy. Here in Alabama the poor are penalized for being poor. Our property taxes are the lowest in the nation. If we doubled them we would move from being 50th all the way up to 50th. I own ten acres with a 2200 sq. ft. house and pay $650.00 in annual property taxes, so you can imagine how wealthy million dollar homeowners get off. Meanwhile, the state makes its money by taxing food(10% here) and jacking up fees for services. A family of four living right around the poverty level has to pay state taxes. The state refused to expand Medicare – gotta stick it to Obama, you know. It’s just insane IMO.

      • Red32 says:

        I live in NJ and my property taxes are 6-7 times that for a 1300 sq ft condo. 🙁 no offense but I’m really not for more taxes.

      • MAC says:

        The east coast real estate taxes are so high that people are leaving because they hived here all there lives but they can not retire here.

    • Hawkeye says:

      Bernie Sanders’ campaign is centered on working people being shafted. He is extremely pro-labour and very prickly on big banks, Wall Street, and unfair tax breaks for corporations. He is not perfect nor do I agree with him 100%, but he is the first politician I have ever known, ever, running for any of office, who has a proven record of being with the People, the voters, and not with special interests, and his word is his bond. You can learn more about where he stands on issues here: http://www.feelthebern.org, but my favourite glimpse of the man is watching Youtube videos of him sticking it to that crooked fraud Alan Greenspan during committees.

    • Lindy79 says:

      Thanks for all the info guys!!

    • Lurker says:

      @lindy – agree 100%

      Sometimes it feels like waiting on our politicians to catch up with the mood of the Irish people is like waiting for godot. I’m bored stiff waiting waiting while they abide by party politics and ignore the will of the people.

  3. Kiki says:

    I am really loving Rachel Weisz. She knows what she is talking about and she stands for what she believes in. And I really love sassy, no nonsense people. They are the ones with personality.

  4. Maya says:

    Gorgeous woman and also very articulate – I have loved her since the Mummy.

    Not jealous of US voting at all – if you want drama come to UK or better yet, take a trip to India and you will know the real meaning of voting…

  5. Saphana says:

    its rare to see a famous white woman supporting Sanders, most are campaigning for Hillary. i get it it makes sense if you are as rich and as white as Lena Dunham, Emma Watson etc just like a wing nut will see Trump as a good choice. she represents their lives and will make life better for rich white people.

    then again i expect celebs to stick up for the common people, even if its against their own interest. Im not american but i follow the politics and Sanders has consistenly voted for civil rights and i find him a lot more credible in womens issues than Hillary.

    its crazy how many people let Hillary get away with her whole campaign being centered around being a woman. in the last debate i saw she basically only said “me woman, me have women supporters, 9/11” (by the way invoking 9/11 to justify being a puppt from Wall Street comes close to the disgusting things Trump said)

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Don’t forget “me white” when she was running against Obama. Hillary is despicable.

      • sherry says:

        @GoodNames – I’m non-political (it’s too negative for me); however, I have friends that span from the far left to the far right. An interesting thing I have noted is all of my friends from the center-left to the far-left are really excited about Sanders. I have yet to see ANY of them claim to be a Hillary supporter.

        Just like with Jeb Bush on the GOP side, is her “support” only with large Democrat and Wall Street donors and the Washington Democrat establishment?

      • TotallyBiased says:

        Receipts on that “because I’m white” allegation–because I don’t remember that at ALL.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        @TotallyBiased
        Look it up yourself. Her argument when she was running against Obama was that she could bring in the white voter and he couldn’t. I can’t help it if you have a bad memory. All Hillary supporters have bad memories.

        @Sherry
        Agree totally

    • SugarQuill says:

      @Saphana, I totally agree with you re: Hillary’s campaign. I specifically remember how she said during the first Democratic debate that she should become the next president because she would be the first woman to hold that office. Um, what? You are going to have to do a lot better than that in order to get people to vote for you, lady. And invoking 9/11 to justify the donations from Super PACs and her ties to Wall Street was equal parts far-fetched and disgusting. I really do hope that Bernie pulls an Obama and snatches the nomination from right under Hillary’s nose.

      @GoodNamesAllTaken, I’m not sure about what happened during her last campaign, but am I to understand that Hillary tried to present herself as a superior candidate to Obama based on the fact that she’s white? Wow, that’s just… wow.

    • Hawkeye says:

      Did anyone see Hillary’s pro-invasion speech yesterday? Her progressive mask has fallen with a massive thud (I hope permanently) and yesterday should have cemented just how hawkish she is. The woman wants war like nobody’s business, she has cozy ties with the military industrial complex, and I am plain terrified of her.

      • TotallyBiased says:

        Can’t disagree with you entirely ( definitely FEEL THE BERN) but EVERY SINGLE REPUB CANDIDATE SCARES ME MORE!

      • sdjadaj123@hotmail.com says:

        I lost respect for Hilary when she posed with the Kardashians and called Kim ‘hard-working”. I dislike any politician that likes that vile family. I am voting Republican anyways.

  6. Ally8 says:

    Yeah, the horse-race personality-driven political discussion in the US is depressing. Even people on MSNBC who used to be serious journalists/hosts like Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow have descended into ridiculous soap opera day-to-day coverage of who said what and aren’t they silly and what does this mean for their popularity and what do the polls say? Ugh. Cover actual issues and events in the real worlds with regard to how the different candidates would address them.

    I think the short election cycle in parliamentary democracies is awesome. Less time and money wasted, less personality politics and more focus on the issues.

    It’s nice that border guards are so pleasant with nationals, but they could be agreeable with cleared foreigners as well. I like London cab drivers who call you “love” regardless of where you’re from!

  7. Jayna says:

    I think she’s so beautiful for any age and always looks healthy and radiant. Great interview.

  8. Esmom says:

    How can you not feel the Bern? I love him but cringe at the “socialism” part of his platform because that automatically disqualifies him in so many Americans’ minds. Americans, who if they’d give him a chance might be surprised at how much he has to offer. But on the other hand I admire him for not dropping the “socialism” and positioning himself simply as a Democrat…his unwillingness to bend to the status quo is a big part of his appeal.

    I’m not a fan of Craig but I like her well enough. She looks great on the cover, that dress is oddly intriguing to me.

    • Naya says:

      Whats with American abhorence for socialism though? I know some conflate socialism with communism, and communism with satan. But how have post coldwar generations not sifted through that old propaganda yet?

      • Bettyrose says:

        Semantics. They love public school, social security, and government bailouts. Thus, they love socialism. If we used another word, like “deep fried” Americans would embrace it. Deep fried policies to balance the wealth. Who wants some deep fried??

      • Hawkeye says:

        They don’t understand it, and it isn’t taught in a context other than 1960s jingoistic Soviet freedom-hating. And LOL @Bettyrose!

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Because they won’t allow it to be taught in public schools. Intelligent design, yes; in-depth analysis of socialism, no.

      • Miss Jupitero says:

        Our school system is disgraceful. Economics should be a required subject, but it is not. Very few Americans come out of high school with any idea as to what socialism actually is. Hell very few understand what capitalism is. It’s depressing.

    • Bettyrose says:

      “But it’s what Jesus would want.” I love her for saying that. She’s Jewish isn’t she?

    • Locke Lamora says:

      From a European stand point, Sanders seems to be the obvious choice, and his programme isn’t revolutionary at all.
      And I also don’t understand the fear of socialism in the US.

    • AJ says:

      Seth MacFarlane explained how he came around on socialism when he endorsed Bernie and introduced him at a fundraiser last month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiPf3dz6ljc

  9. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I love Rachael and love them as a couple. Also love the Bern, but he won’t win.

    • jessoutwest says:

      Although he is the only pro-American (in its true sense) candidate, he won’t win because our government is corrupted beyond repair. The government operates outside the needs and wants of its citizens and is wholly owned by corporate powers. I’m not a tinfoil hatter, but I truly believe this.

  10. Red32 says:

    Not sure why celebrity endorsements mean anything in a political race. Most celebrities are pretty stupid. I hate the whole “pop star” mentality of it. I hate both parties. I’ve hated the Dems since I was a teen and saw through their blatant “Vote (for us) or Die” MTV bullshit.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I can’t stand either party, or the Tea Party, either. I don’t feel like there’s a place for me in our political system.

      • kcarp says:

        There is no place for me either. I am horrified at both sides. I can’t stomach Hilary and the GOP seems like a clown car of crazy. I will not vote for Hilary unless she is running against Jeb. I am not left with a lot of options

      • Red32 says:

        Me, either.

      • TotallyBiased says:

        Kcarp–you would vote for Trump over Hil? (shiver)

      • kcarp says:

        @totally

        I might not vote at all for president. I will vote in local elections and anything else on ballot. I really really don’t like Hilary.

    • sherry says:

      I think there are millions of us who have no political affiliation because both parties have been taken over by K-Street lobbyists and big-donor corporate elites.

      I am not a Cruz supporter, but he was spot on when he said if you ask Americans what are their top 10 priorities for the government to address and ask K-Street (where all the big lobbying firms are) what their top 10 priorities are, then match them up with what Congress is doing (whether Democrat or Republican-led) and you will find Congress’s list matches up perfectly with those from K-Street.

      This is why Congress’ approval rating is at an all-time low. They are elected to represent their districts, then get to DC and align themselves with the lobbyists.

      American citizens are left out in the cold.

    • lisa says:

      IMO no one wins in the two party system we have but TPTB

  11. GlimmerBunny says:

    If I was American I’d probably support Bernie Sanders too. He seems by far the most reasonable and fair-minded candidate. I’m from Scandinavia and we have a great welfare system supported by, yes, taxes. I don’t mind paying higher taxes considering I get great benefits, medical care and education for free for doing it.

  12. Guesto says:

    Politically, I will take my UK ‘dull’ over the US’s ‘dramatic’ any day of the week.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I would too, and I’m American.

    • Locke Lamora says:

      Me three. I am not English, but am European. The American elections are too showbizzy, and it’s less about policies and more about the “star power” of the politician.
      And the campaign is so incredibly long. In our last elections, the campaign lasted 16 days.

  13. Lou says:

    ‘Likability is code for ‘Shut up and look good.’”

    THIS

  14. Bettyrose says:

    She’s in New York, so her vote might matter, but California celebrities will be voting in a June primary, which is basically just a formality. The democratic nomination will be decided on Super Tuesday in March. If not, the NY primary in April should clinch it. By June, when CA votes, there should be an undisputed front runner for the Dem nomination, and possibly the other will have backed out by then. CA votes won’t matter until the general election. And possibly not even then. In 1992, the election was called for Clinton before the polls closed in California. In 2008, CA voted in the Super Tuesday primary. It was exciting to be included early on, but not this time.

  15. Hannah says:

    I love Rachel. By the way, I listened to Daniel on nerdist last night – ahhhmaazzzing!! I was starting to believe the crap about his reputation but he was such a sweetheart and he loved having the chats and laughs with the guys, even though one of them is a massive Bond nerd and was basically cosplaying as him.

    • pepper says:

      I know. I listened it too and loved it. Plus his voice is amazing!

      I guess it is easier for the media to call him a “curmudgeon” and be done with it… 🙄

  16. Megan says:

    I hope she and all the wealthy people who feel their taxes should be higher put their money where their mouth is – for instance, don’t take any deductions on your tax return and voluntarily give more $$ to the US government. I believe there is also a way you can pay additional money voluntarily. I hope they are all doing that to set a good example of their public statements on tax policy.

    On a different subject, she is certainly a beautiful woman.

    • Locke Lamora says:

      In one hand they should do that. But on the other hand, won’t most money go into the military and not say, health care od education ?

    • Bettyrose says:

      Megan, they are talking about a system under which there is a more equitable distribution of wealth. Simply paying higher taxes under the current system to make a statement won’t achieve that. Using their influence to effect systemic change and create a stronger understanding of socialism is the most powerful thing celebs like RW, Colbert, etc can do.

  17. Fanny says:

    I have no problem with what Rachel said here, but she is always unfavorably comparing Americans to English/Europeans and it is really irritating. I’m not even particularly sensitive to that, but she does it constantly.

    I’ve heard her criticize American theatergoers for clapping when she and Daniel Craig made their on-stage entrances in Betrayal. I’ve heard her say English conversation is at a higher level because it’s about wit and wordplay and she misses it because she can’t have good conversations in America. And what she said about Darren Aronofsky not being like a typical American because he’s educated and cultured is straight-up offensive.

    I want to like her, but she really needs to stop using every interview as an opportunity to vent her criticisms about America.

  18. Chrissy says:

    Anyone who wants to pay higher taxes can! The IRS is happy to take her money or anyone else’s who wants to give it! Go for it! Bernie’s plans will need all of her money, all of the 1%, and tons more to even make it three years. What a joke!

  19. mazzie says:

    Well, at least Canada can vote, count ballots and announce its PM in a day. (Hey there, PMJT!) The U.S. has the electoral college, voting machines that do weird things, and the court to decide who becomes president.

    Plus a year-long campaign! I swear your politicians get nothing done because they’re constantly campaigning!

    Yeah, we have to manually count but we get it done.

  20. Lrm says:

    Not true. Some understand socialism perfectly and don’t trust those who would be in charge of implementing it.

    Big topic for a gossip thread but the comparison with small and often homogeneous European countries that are hundreds of years old is a silly one. The USA has a different history and economic and political system. And today we have far more corporate ownership of government than European countries for the most part. Medical industrial, big agri, military, big pharma included etc. They are literally writing our laws. So while Bernie may be proposing a solution, the fact thay this bought and corporatized system is so established at this point makes it hard to support the platform. Again because of all the non bernies who would still have significant power and influence to interpret socialism however they wabt. And not all socialism is created equal.

    The US has a history of state rights and this helps maintain individual rights IMO. It requires work but with 350 plus million people frpm diverse walks of life, state rights are representative of a republic. Again not perfect and the discussion is not as black or white as many people seem to think. (Ps. Black or white is a figure of speech that there is a grey area with nuance. Americans seem fond of the pick a team mentality and a my team is better than yours attitude. )

  21. Bread and Circuses says:

    I’m not jealous of the fact that US elections appear to go on for two years so someone can get elected for four. That’s exhausting.

  22. Genie says:

    Very like Rachel and her support of Sanders. Even though I’d like to see a woman helm this country, Bernie’s compassion for the middle-class and low wage earners is needed. Without a strong middle class, America will decline. Very impressed that she and Daniel would take a stand like this.

  23. JT says:

    As a Canadian, I would much rather have a boring election instead crazy candidates.

  24. Nymeria says:

    Dramatic, sure, but also overly simplistic. If you’re not liberal or conservative, you’re SOL, and it’s impossible to have a nuanced conversation about any political topic without people resorting to personal attacks.

    Why bring Jesus into the conversation? Not everyone is religious, FFS.

  25. Nymeria says:

    Don’t like Sanders. Not interested in continuing to subsidize other people’s lives.

  26. seesittellsit says:

    Rachel Weisz, US citizen, recently complained about how much she missed British humor (pardon, humour) and her native countrymen’s greater facility with jokes and puns, and although her own career is, let’s face it, a distinctly minor one, is nevertheless married to a man made very rich off one film franchise – thus, even if taxes do rise, she will still be living fantastically well and stepping out on red carpets in designer clothes and travelling the globe and not having to worry about childcare costs as she does so.

    Other ordinary middle-class women, however, whose taxes will also go up (they always hit the middle-class when taxes go up, no matter what they say) as they aren’t poor enough to get real breaks, but who aren’t married to double-oh-seven, will experience those tax increases differently.

    Mind, I like Sanders (and I love Vermont). But it’s a bit annoying to have women married to James Bond encouraging tax rises.

  27. Tim says:

    nearly 25% of my pay check goes to insurance now. It was about 20% before obama care. If he raised my taxes by 25% and I got free health care, then I would be to the good, by no copay and the prescription cost.

    Take a look at what % you are paying now plus cost.

    People that it would effect are. Doctors, Drug companys and military (already Covered) and the rich
    But Mostly the insurance who make a killing.