Karleigh - Political Cartoon

Political propaganda often tricks people into thinking either negatively or positively about a candidate.  Politicians use media as a tactic to make their opponents look undesirable, which in turn gives their audience the illusion that they are the more appropriate candidate.  Politicians use commercials, political ads, political cartoons and many other forms of media to persuade the public. 

Throughout my research I found many political cartoons that spiked my interest.  There were cartoons that depicted Mitt Romney as the top candidate, and there were cartoons that were created to give the illusion that Barack Obama is the best candidate for president. 

In the political cartoon that I chose, Barack Obama is standing in front of a mountain of money, naked.  He is holding a sign that says “Free Birth Control”.  Half buried in the mountain of money is a sign that says Obama Care.  “$16 TRILLION DEBT” is shown on the mountain of money. On top of the mountain of money a solar panel and a windmill reside.  In front of the mountain of money there is a headstone, engraved in the headstone is “US Economy”.  Next to Obama there is a sign that shows the gas prices.  Instead of showing the gas prices there are symbols, which insinuate cuss words.  Hanging from the sign is a man, with the word “jobs” written across his shirt.  The caption on the political cartoon says “POLITICAL COVER”.  The caption insinuates that issues that Obama is focused on, such as helping the environment and his new healthcare plan, Obama Care, are covering up all of the issues that Obama ignores, like the skyrocketing gas prices and the economy. 

I believe that the man who was hung underneath the sign with the word jobs written across his shirt is there to show the audience that due to the economy, which is in the ground, American citizens’ job opportunities are dead.  The mountain of money represents the 16 trillion dollars of debt that America has gradually gained.  I think that the Romney Administration included America’s debt, because the media shows that decreasing the deficit isn’t one of Obama’s priorities.  The solar panel and windmill are included because taking care of the environment and reversing the effects global warming is having on our world are one of Obama’s priorities.  The reason the solar panel and windmill are placed on top of the mountain of debt is because the Romney administration is trying to imply that Obama’s focus on global warming and the environment is adding to the mountain of debt America is bearing.  Along with the solar panel and windmill, Obama Care is placed in the mountain of debt in order to give the illusion that his healthcare plan will only increase America’s debt.

Although I have never been particularly interested in politics, viewing political cartoons and ads has opened my eyes.  The political cartoon gives its viewers the idea that Obama’s priority issues are solar energy, free birth control and Obama Care.  Although this may be true, it doesn’t necessarily mean that America’s debt and sinking economy aren’t on his priority list.  After writing this essay I firmly believe that young people and adults need to learn how to form informed opinions on matters of government and politics.  I think it is crucial for each citizen to form their own opinion, based on their beliefs, but also to be able to correlate and think together with other citizens.  Individuals need to always remember that they have the right to come to their own conclusions, as other individuals have the right to oppose their conclusions.  Democracy is defined as a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.  The Founders created a democratic society so that the government’s sole purpose is to serve the people.  In order for the government to serve citizens properly, individuals must educate themselves on political issues and candidates that they are electing into the government.