More?!

2005
Pencil on trace
5" x 8"

Hopefully you'll recognize the reference to Oliver Twist (or at least the reference to the musical Oliver!). I did this in response to the actions of Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty who stubbornly refused to raise taxes to cover a budget shortfall. Instead he cut funding to schools, nursing homes and local municipalities. Of course, cities, towns & school districts had to raise taxes and pass levies in order to function. And the communities in the worst need had to raise taxes the most, so those least able to pay ended up shouldering the majority of the burden. Then to add insult to injury, the Republicans (thanks largely to No Child Left Behind) decided the best way to fix underfunded and failing schools was to punish teachers and principals and cut funds even more. Did I mention that my daughter has 33 students in her sixth grade class? Yeah, that'll improve scores.

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