Self-portrait of the artist Paulette Beete as a federal employee

Self-portrait of the artist Paulette Beete as a member of AFGE Local 3403

Self-portrait of the artist Paulette Beete as a U.S. citizen and taxpayer

Artists Statement: I took a break this afternoon to run some errands in my neighborhood. I stopped for an afternoon cup of decaf in the Fenton Street Cafe and on the television a news anchor was reporting that members of an auto makers union (I don’t remember which news channel, or which auto maker) were receiving $7,000 bonuses, while the taxpayers were not getting reimbursed for the auto industry bailout. I wondered, “But aren’t these auto workers taxpayers?” I also wondered, “Aren’t most auto workers—except for those in management positions—union members? Doesn’t that make it a bit misleading to characterize the bonus as only going to “union” workers? On the other hand, I was relieved that it wasn’t another taxpayer versus federal employees story….