Politics Can Be Funny, Scary, And Can Change The World
by Pamela Apkarian-Russell
"Bring in Your Candidates"
It's that time again, when the rest of the country drags out all their political hopefuls and ships them off to the Granite State - That means NH for our online readers! They say it is healthy for the economy of the state but I haven't seen any of these politicians come to my shop, have you?
"Hello, I'm John Doe and I'm running on the wacky anti-tobacci ticket and I'm here to hear your opinions on the economy and perhaps buy an item or two."
Okay, so no one believes that will ever happen, but it would be interesting to show them how they have been depicted over the years and how we Americans feel about most of our politicians. Roasting a politician in hell has always been the dominion of the cartoonist, the characaturist, and they have had a field day. From the time of Dante who layered them in inferno and Shakespeare who vaguely disguised his contempt of the politicos, both written and printed cartoons have been in vogue. Puck, Punch, the list is endless and the contempt is bottomless.
Monarchs are considered politicians and they have been made fun of as well. Kaiser William of Germany was the brunt of some of the best cartoons of all time. Sure they are propaganda, and sure there was a war on, and sure he had a disability or physical deformity, (one arm was shorter than the other) and a silly mustache, and sure he thought he was the greatest thing on earth, so why was he upset that they made fun of him?
Granted to make fun of a physical deformity is unacceptable but back around WWI he was so hated and disliked that any modicum of decorum and right thinking was thrown to the wind.
Some politicians, namely Presidents, fare quite well, Teddy Roosevelt loved publicity and because he was so colorful, the press treated him right. Cool Cal, Calvin Coolidge, was so simple and plain that he appealed to the majority of people who felt he was very much like themselves. Then came Carter and the Peanut and his brother Billy and the temptation was too great. From pinback buttons to Cora Lee postcards to newspapers and magazines, all peanuts began to look alike and they all looked like Jimmy Carter! Ronald Reagan, well the wealth of items done on him is unfathomable. The best item is a poster of Him and Maggie Thatcher and is a take off of the wonderful Gone With the Wind poster, where Atlanta is burning in the background and Rhett-Ronnie, is carrying Scarlett-Margaret.
Politicians-judges-lawyers are usually lumped together and they have so often served themselves rather than the people they were supposed to serve that they are ranked worse than used car salesmen. It is unfortunate, in fact, but for collectors of political memorabilia there is wealth of items to collect. The Tammany Tiger, The Teapot Dome Scandal, and Monica & Linda, what a trip!
Are there any bright lights? Is there anyone who welded power that didn't abuse it? She may be a cartoon character, but Rosie the Riveter is my choice. She was the symbol of working women and utilized by both the unions and the government as the ultimate American, someone who would give more than their all selflessly for the good of the country without thought of great wealth or appearing on CNN or appearing at thousand-dollar-a-plate dinners. Perhaps it's time to bring back Rosie, run her for office and give America a roll model. When you think of it....there are a few politicians that might not land up in the devil's open fire. Can you name them?
On another subject: If you recall, a few years ago I warned you all to be careful about Salvatore Dali prints and to be extremely careful as thousands of sheets had been signed that were totally blank. Well....Dali's friend-personal secretary has been convicted of having used these sheets by having prints printed posthumously on them and selling them as authentic signed items. Many people lost a lot of money on these items and they are being dumped into auctions and are appear- ing at shows and in shops. All I can say is be extremely frugal, nay even cheap, when purchasing these items. In my opinion, if it is supposedly worth $500 pay $50 unless you have proof that the item is legit. A signed print is one thing - and a signature that has had a picture printed over it is another thing completely! Be aware and be careful.