" Cartoons, Comedians and Congressman"
As a student of the body-politik, I have recently been
re-examining the seemingly absurd notion of having comedians and
cartoon characters filling in for the roles of our current
politicians and statesman. After careful consideration- the
notion may not be so absurd at all.
As a former student of public administration at Ohio State
University in the mid 1980s, I had offered the notion to one of
my professors. She looked at me quite condescendingly and
suggested that perhaps I should spend less time in front of the
tube on Saturday mornings and more time studying the rudiments
of statesmanship. I took it personally and offered her an
exploding cigar.
Others have clandestinely intimated to me that there just might
be true merit to the idea. Our corridors of power would not be
filled with the current group of irksome and often mediocre
politicos pursuing self-serving agendas. Instead, a diverse
assemblage of wise-cracking rabbits, sponges wearing square
pants, and fearless mice sporting capes would successfully be
passing legislation. As an example, what better group to
consider the issues of commercial depletion of our national park
lands than the very critters who inhabit them? Daffy Duck's take
on hunting legislation would be of immeasurable value. And who
better than Mickey Mouse to offer some prudent advice on cheese
export tariffs?
Talk about political expediency, having the ability to
physically zoom above political firestorms, walk off of mountain
cliffs without falling, and deftly slip in and out of rabbit
holes during voting role calls, does have its value. Along with
our celluloid friends, real life comedians would equally do well
as substitutes for our contemporary statesmen. The late Rodney
Dangerfield, although obsessed with his self-proclaimed lack of
receiving respect, would offer some real insight to issues
regarding dignity for those living on the edges of society. Joan
Rivers, as chair of a senate subcommittee investigating
licensing regs for cosmetic surgery would leave them in
stitches. And, seasoned legislators would have nothing on Moe,
Larry and Curly. Only this trio, based upon collective personal
experience, could effectively influence legislation on the
public health hazards of misplaced banana peels, the impact of
being poked in the eyes, and the ramifications of ingesting
varnish and paint.
In sum, I am convinced that there are few social or political
problems that couldn't easily be solved by that special
character who has mastered the perfectly executed pratfall,
delivered an artfully tossed cream-pie, or had an anvil fall
upon their heads.
You can have your legislators, your savvy politicians, your
stuffy statesmen.
As for me...a government of bunnies, rascals, and stand-ups
will do just well...with Porky Pig, of course, as
"P...PP..PPres..presid...er...a...Chief Executive!"