Chan Lowe: Florida Legislature saddles up
This isn't what our local pols bargained for when they ran for the legislature.
When they first dreamed of lunging for the brass ring, they imagined themselves dispensing state-funded goodies back in the home district, making lots of new friends with expensive shoes, getting wined and dined on someone else's dime, and being part of an elite club of movers and shakers.
This year, they're having to slink back to the state capital wearing rubber Halloween masks. Thanks to ethics rules, there's no more hobnobbing with the Gucci Gulch crowd at Clyde's (unless you pay for your own drinks, and that's no fun), no more fancy free dinners (goodbye, "Tallahassee Tummy,") and there won't be any county senior centers or swimming pool complexes back home named after them either, no sir.
There won't be any thanks for a job well done, because the better they do their job, the more complaints they're going to get from the local folks.
The session promises to be a joyless and punishing test of nerves and stamina. When it's all over, some of those pols will stumble out beaten and broken, others may emerge as statesmen.
We'll see, 60 days from now.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do this,through out the nation.? And- include all lobbyist.? Nirvana...!! Well, I can dream, can't I.?
Great comments, Chan...As I'm a devout heathen, I'll even go along with your prayer and say AMEN...
Posted by: Lorraine Wagner | March 1, 2010 4:15 PM
Excellent cartoon as far as subject matter and composition. One of your better ones Chan.
You write good also.
Ever consider doing a book?
Posted by: charles | March 2, 2010 8:01 AM