Cal Thomas‘ latest column urges Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to avoid the temptation to play into “celebrity culture.”

One of the chief complaints from voters about politicians is that they package themselves disingenuously to get elected, only to reveal their real agenda after they’ve won. That is what President Obama did in the 2008 campaign, when he styled himself as a unifier who wanted to bridge the partisan divide: “[W]e are not a collection of red states and blue states. We are the United States of America.” He then governed more like he was in Soviet America, with redistribution of income and more centralized power in Washington.

Romney has rejected appeals to speak to the celebrity culture by “opening up” and exposing his feelings and emotions. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he said, “People would like me to lie down and let it all out.” He is right to reject such a strategy. He is what he is and voters should appreciate seeing the “real” Romney. They have had enough flash and are ready for substance.

This is a “take your medicine” election for Americans who think we can go on without reforms in Medicare and Social Security and with no substantial reductions in wasteful and unnecessary government spending.