This captures several different versions of the monument-as imagined by me. We see so much finger-pointing by our so-called leaders, and a few even act like clowns, so the finger-pointing version just seemed a natural. Mud-slinging happens-Governor Fitial is especially good at it, but so are others. Those who are ambitious in politics seem to be willing to step on anyone--look at the disaster at CHC, the willingness to have utility rates sky-rocket (and have the poor live without power), the governor's opposition to federal increases in foodstamps. The poor and sick take the biggest hits. And then there is the money that seems to lure in even those who might start out with good intentions.
I personally would have published this one before the final version (which the Variety published yesterday). But I'm not the paper's editor!
Still raining here...we are in the monsoon season.
I have a whole series of kiosku cartoons, but this is the best, in my opinion. The CNMI spent a lot of federal dollars in ARRA grant money for the leadership kiosku, which turned into a joke as the committee that decided what names to put on it insisted on adding all their family. A number of people who were actually convicted of crimes were nominated, and a lot of small people who would hardly qualify as leaders have their names up there. Meanwhile, the CNMI continues to sink further into economic, political and cultural chaos.
Our "leaders" have their heads in the sand, at best. Some are corrupt. Some are seemingly heartless (although it is difficult for even me to say they are in fact). Some are blinded by loyalty to unworthy people. Few if any think of principles, only personalities.
I borrowed some of this concept from political cartoons on the web, but added the kiosku arch (which in fact is quite pretty) and the head in the sand ostrich and man. The little people comment on both the cost and the sorry example that such leaders give for our future generations.
