Some of the most outspoken critics of the "income disparity" that exists within the free-market capitalist system can be found in Hollywood, where you'll also happen to find some of the most prosperous beneficiaries of the very system they criticize.  What Hollywood so conveniently ignores is the mammoth "income disparity" and gluttonous (by their own standards for others) behavior within its own industry.

The origin of the words "hypocrisy" and "hypocrite" comes from the Greek words hypokrisis, which in part means "play-acting," and hypokrites, which in part means "play-actor."  It's ironic that hypokrites engaged in the art of hypokrisis have no problem amassing enormous piles of wealth while at the same time hypocritically denouncing the capitalist system that enabled them to create that wealth in the first place.  Evidently, it's greedy to be wealthy only if you earn your millions while on the outside of their tiny elitist circle of privilege.

Hollywood should be thanking its lucky stars that it exists at all, as it is nothing more than the byproduct (some would argue that it's the type that's better flushed) of the tremendous prosperity that only a free-market system allows to be created.  It's no coincidence that you won't find its true equivalent in people's paradises such as Cuba and North Korea.

Perhaps it's time Hollywood quits the act and starts living by the far-left socialist ideas it embraces and has been preaching for so long.  Here are a few ideas that, if implemented, can help save the denizens of Hollywood from the stigma of being hypocrites as defined today.

First: many of the high rollers in Hollywood claim that it's not "fair" that a CEO makes upwards of 700 times the amount of the average worker within a corporation.  But a lead actor or actress can make well in excess of $100K a day during a movie shoot, while someone like the prop guy most likely makes little more than $100 a day.  If Hollywood elites truly have a problem with "income disparity," they should lead by example -- i.e., stop "taking" so much income for themselves and start spreading that wealth equally amongst all of those "exploited" workers involved in the production of these movies.  Since they condemn what others outside their industry do with their earnings, I think it's fair to ask: do they really need to have multiple mansions, dozens of cars, and monthly $150K parties?  There's no need to wait for government to force these changes upon them.  They are free to start their ascent from the depths of hypocrisy at this very minute.

Second: since Hollywood embraces far-left ideology, the stars should start producing movies with a biased, far-left slant.  Oh, wait -- they already do that.  Okay -- they should just stop trying to hide that bias and present fiction as fiction instead of fact, as they do now.

Third: there doesn't seem to be much diversity in Hollywood (the timing of Halle Berry's Oscar shows how far behind the times they are), but its members certainly expect it from everyone else.  When was the last time you saw JFK or Jackie O portrayed by black, Hispanic, or Asian actors?  If they feel so strongly about diversity, they should first enforce it within their own industry and ensure that more of the lead roles are filled by minorities, regardless of their ability to authentically play the part they're given.  Racial quotas in Hollywood should be enacted and embraced without hesitation.

Fourth: movies that rake in huge profits at the box office should happily share those profits with those other movies that are less fortunate at the box office.  Perhaps those profits can all be placed into one pool for all to share equally.  That "B" movie stigma can finally be eradicated.

Finally: Hollywood should put aside the fiscal realities of what it costs to produce one of their films.  The typical family of four can barely afford their "right" go to the movies anymore.  Talk about corporate greed!  How about price controls for ticket prices, since Hollywood is certain that this method will keep costs down in other "greedy" industries?

None of these changes will prevent Hollywood from remaining prosperous if all of the Hollywood liberals' assertions regarding others are correct -- right?  So who will be the first to step up -- Moore? -- Clooney? -- Sarandon?  Don't hold your breath!

By the way -- Hollywood needs to do something about all of the explosions in those action flicks.  That really can't be good for their carbon footprint.  It's time for green bombs (no, not Al Gore's flick) in the motion picture industry.

Scott blogs at www.politiseeds.com.