This cartoon uses some of the most debated issues in America as a way of portraying the United States democracy as a horrible direction. It angers me to see this cartoon. It's as if its agreeing with the terrorist attacks. To me, it demoralizes Americans and almost mocks our morals and beliefs. As one who is pro abortion and pro same sex marriage I actually take greater offense because it takes my beliefs and puts it in a negative light. I am very confused by the image of alcohol and drugs. What country does not allow the consumption of alcohol? Most at younger ages. This picture takes individual rights and portrays them as immoral. It is our right to express ourself, it is our individual bodies and we can choose what we do with them. Is that wrong? No! To me these pictures bring in religious aspects as well and there is supposed to be separation between church and state.
"BUSHISMS"
When I first saw this cartoon, I was not surprised. After reading the words that have been spoken by our president, I again was not shocked. To me, this only continues to demonstrates Bush's illiteracy. It is very unfortunate that the man who runs our country can not handle simple ideas. Let's start with the first statement. I find it quite entertaining because personally I think that our government does harm its people. Our government disregards what is best for its people and chooses to do whats best for its corporations. When will our government stop thinking about new ways to destroy its country? The next statement is appalling. We have an illiterate president judging and descriminating against our children today. The statement below proves my point. The next three statements re-iterate the disturbing truth that Bush, as a man who runs our government, judges others, yet does not understand the English language himself. How confident do you feel about the man who chooses what is best for our country??
"History Repeats Itself"
It has been said that "history repeats itself." Unfortunately, it has repeated itself in the scariest way. One of most horrific events that took place in our history has been placed on the same podium as our president today. Besides the resemblance in appearance, the attitude is not much different. Bush has taken it upon himself to invade a country based on lies, and then try to manipulate their government into a mirrored image of the United States. He has disregarded the needs of his people to better serve himself and his "political party". He has desriminated and alienated those individuals who choose to live their lives under the own morals. If a same sex couple wants to be married and share the same benefits as a heterosexual couple, why deny them the same rights? If a woman wants to have an abortion, it is her body, why take her rights away? Disagreeing with one's beliefs is fine, but to restrict their way of living and take away the rights of individuals, is again, showing that "history repeats itself". Bush is pictured as a modern day Hitler, and I do not fully disagree. I feel he share the same characteristics just has not set up concentration camps to rid "his" country of inferior individuals.
Democracy in a Different Light...
I believe that democracy is what a country makes of it. Our form of government has taken the word "democracy" and has defined it as the "majority". Our coutnry's way of voting is based on the majority over the minority. We have taken many beliefs and warped them based on ignorance. It is the "individual ignorance" that has destroyed "democracy" in the United States. A democracy is meant to protect its people, both minority and majority. Where is the equality?
A First Class Voting System?
Our country can not even manage an honest voting system, how can we judge another country's way of voting? This cartoon made me think of the discreptancy in the Bush voting. Why did we need to repeatedly check the number of votes during the Bush election? Why does America feel it is superior to other countries? We have a flawed system and I do not agree with the idea to force it upon others. I like the statement on the side of the building. States do elect its president not people. Each state only gets a certain number of electoral votes. If you have more Republicans in one state what happens to the democratic vote? This is why voting is America is diminishing. People do not feel like they choose the president. People do not feel their voices are being heard. You could also look at this political cartoon as saying that the "first class" citizens are the deciding factors in our voting system. I think the wording in this cartoon illustrates multiple perspectives.
