As a student of the body-politik, I have recently been re-examining the seemingly absurd notion of having comedians and cartoon characters fulfilling the roles of our current politicians and statesman.
After careful consideration- the notion may not be so absurd at all. The idea streaked to me like a comet in the sky.
God, as we know, calls the shots, even in the sometimes sketchy realm of social politics. And it was Almighty God that made us in his own image, with the ability to think, discern, and, thankfully, laugh. I am sure he laughs at many human constructs.
As a former student of public administration at Ohio State University in the mid 1980s,
I had coyly 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 and more time studying the rudiments of statesmanship. I took it personally and could not believe how myopic she had been regarding the subject of God, Congressman and political shenanigans.
Others, God-loving and otherwise, 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 mice sporting extra-large ears 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 taking on hunting legislation would be of immeasurable value. And who better than Mickey Mouse himself to offer some prudent advice on cheese export tariffs?
Talk about political expediency, having the ability to easily zoom above political firestorms, walk off of mountain cliffs without falling, and easily slip in and out of rabbit holes during voting role calls, does have its utility.
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 respect , would offer some real no-nonsense insight to issues regarding dignity for the disenfranchised.
Joan Rivers, as chair of a senate subcommittee investigating licensing for cosmetic surgery, would leave them speechless. And, seasoned legislators would have nothing on Moe, Larry and Curly. Only this trio, based upon collective personal experience, could effectively influence legislation on complex and sundry issues such as misplaced banana peels, the impact of double eye poke injuries, and the ramifications of ingesting 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 its head.
Yes, we humans infuse an element of humor in most every endeavor- including politics, but God has a watchful eye. I am convinced that God doesn’t laugh at us, but he frequently laughs with us.
You can have your legislators, your savvy politicians, your stuffy statesmen.
As for me…under a watchful eye of the Most High, a government of bunnies, rascals, and stand-ups will do just well…with Porky Pig, of course, as ‘p…pp..ppp pres..presid…er….Chief Exec!
You can read this and other stories of inspiration by MichaelAngelo Massa, JD @ Patheos.com
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