Please Read This
This diary has over 40 editorial cartoons and other relevant Tweets about Republican insistence on reintroducing failed economic policies, voter suppression issues, the resignation of British Prime Minister Liz Truss, the global economy and the Biden Administration’s record, and MAGA madness. In the final section, you’ll see a remarkable letter written to a high school student by author Kurt Vonnegut, what really irked Galileo when he arrived daily at work, and George Carlin on the banned seven words disallowed on 1970s television. I expect to post an additional 20 or more cartoons on assorted issues in the comments.
If time permits, I might post Part 2 either this evening or at some point on Mon 10/24. That diary will have more cartoons on the Republican plan to dismantle Social Security and Medicare, Trump’s many legal challenges, Steve Bannon headed to prison, MAGA buffoonery, protests in Iran, the state of the Russia-Ukraine War, and Climate Change. The final section is about the funky classic “Honky Tonk Women” by the Rolling Stones, the One and Only “King,” and a rare find in England.
Thanks for your support.
Attribution for the above ‘Supply-Side Economic Plan” editorial cartoon: Matt Wuerker @wuerker
Downward Trajectory
Oh, the Humanity!
Sounding the Alarm — A Change in Tone
As Early Voting has started in recent days in many states, I have noticed a distinct mood change among many editorial cartoonists. Not that they are ignoring other relevant issues, but there is a recognition that this American election will be very close, and as such — considering the stunning collapse of the Truss Government in the UK — there needs to be a thorough examination of the economic policies being offered by Republicans, not very different from policies proposed in the UK by Prime Minster Liz Truss and ones that resulted in dramatic failure.
How Trickle-Down Economics Works
On the heels of political failure across the pond in the United Kingdom, several cartoonists are openly questioning if failed economic policies of the past, i.e., “Trickledown Economics” or “Reaganomics” are the answer to today’s economic problems. In a stunning rejection by her own political party, Tory Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned a couple of days ago after only six weeks in office. This made her tenure the shortest one in the UK’s long political history. But, for all the work she did, Truss is still entitled to a lifetime annual pension of £115,000.
“Even though her short, six-week stint as the UK’s prime minister came crashing down on Thursday, Liz Truss will still get to claim a yearly £115,000 allowance reserved for former prime ministers,” Insider reports.
Why should American voters believe that similar economic proposals put forth by the GOP will provide adequate solutions to economic problems in this country? Do they make sense? Are they realistic? Will such policies improve upon present conditions? For the editorial cartoonists, the short answer seems to be a resounding No!
Ideological rigidity is incompatible with the current economic reality.
Double the Trouble
As this article in the Guardian newspaper firmly suggests, the failure of the Truss Experiment perhaps heralded a significant development. It could well be a fatal blow and the final nail in the coffin of Reaganomics.
The sooner, the better.
To be sure, there is no record of positive achievement that Truss can boast. On the contrary, her accomplishment was to have smashed up so much so quickly, a feat of destruction whose velocity has rarely been matched in British political history. But there are other reasons to consider her ascent to Downing Street, and her actions once there, to be of the greatest consequence.
For one thing, in those short few weeks, Truss may well have killed off an ideological project that has animated sections of the right, in Britain and across the democratic world, for the best part of half a century. The vision was of a low tax, low regulation society where the richest are freed to unleash their awesome talents and make themselves even richer. According to this vision – whether you call it Hayekism, ultra-Thatcherism, Reaganism or economic libertarianism – when the fortunate few at the top soar ever upwards, some of their wealth trickles down to those at the bottom. Versions of it have held sway at different periods in Britain, the United States and beyond.
The Death of Reaganomics?
Now, though, such dreams will be branded as Trussonomics – and that label will be the kiss of death. In six short weeks Truss has discredited high-octane, free-market economics, perhaps for ever...
In that way, she perfectly embodied what may be her lasting achievement. She will be the symbol of post-2016 Britain, a country that set itself on fire and became an object of derision, pity and sadness in the eyes of a world that once saw Britain as an island of reliable, if sometimes dull, solidity.
None of this prevents failed supply-side economists like Larry Kudlow from making outlandish claims. One might ask, why does this country tolerate mediocrity? There isn’t a shortage of talent and brilliant minds.
How did it work out for PM Liz Truss in the UK, Larry?
And, what about Kevin McCarthy whose economic plan Kudlow heartily endorsed? Forget McCarthy’s crazy economic ideas for a minute, dumb as they are. He is surrounded on all sides by conspiracy theory nuts who are also full of hate and racist ideas. Completely divorced from reality, these people take pride in the fact that they act a certain way in public and proudly display ignorance as a badge of honor. All of this adds to an explosive recipe for future disaster — economic, political, and social.
Are these people qualified to govern and lead? Hardly.
Did You Know This?
Yes, You Can
Voting in the November 8th Elections
This is from the Arizona Republic.
“Days after Maricopa County officials warned people to stop taking photos of voters and election staffers at ballot drop boxes, the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office continues to refer complaints to the Department of Justice,” the Arizona Republic reports.
“Two new complaints filed this week with the office allege that small groups of people are filming voters and capturing photographs of their license plates as they drop off their early ballots.”
The Harsh Reality for Women
In Kentucky, Amendment 2 on the ballot is about abortion access and rights to privacy. More on this ballot issue in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Trump’s Legacy
Voting and Other Rights Being Trampled Upon in Florida
Second Time’s the Charm
Why Did You Vote?
A Terrible Trade
You Best Open Your Eyes and Ears, Buddy
Trickled and Trussed
It’s Just a Flesh Wound, Says Monty Python
Quite an Accomplishment
“Captain Bligh… Um… “
Liz Truss — Adding Words to the English Language
Back to the Future
He’s Baaaaccckkkk!
A Few Economic Facts
Inflation is Largely Due to Corporate Profits
This excellent video by Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) went viral the past week.
Call it What it is: Corporate Greed!
Tout Your Own Accomplishments
Democracy or Lower Gas Prices?
Corporate Profits = High Inflation
The Real Truth — This is a Winning Message
Liz Truss Economics
Conditions Have Never Been Better for Corporate America
Just For Your Information
The Republican Record of Economic Failure
Finally…
As Only Kurt Vonnegut Could Have Replied
Guys, Galileo is a Huge Fan of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” But...
There was Only One George Carlin
Diary Poll
As I mentioned in a recent diary when Queen Elizabeth II passed away just last month, the Anglo-American ”Special Relationship” has been widely regarded as the most successful bilateral partnership in history. Born out of necessity during World War II when President Franklin Roosevelt forged a close bond with Prime Minister Winston Churchill to combat European Fascism and, later, Japanese Imperialism, the relationship has had its ups and downs but largely remained intact.
Events in either country have had a fair bit of impact on the other. Of the British prime ministers listed in the diary poll, Churchill’s Tory Party lost the 1945 Election while he was attending the Potsdam Peace Conference in July of that year. Under Prime Minister Clement Attlee and the Labour Party, WW II finally ended in September 1945. In the post-War era, Harold Wilson would become PM twice — first from 1964-1970 and again from 1974-1976.
Since 1945, of the 16 British Prime Ministers, 5 have been members of the Labour Party for 30 years and 11 Tory PMs have ruled for 47 years. In the United States, 7 Democrats became President for a total of 37 years (and counting) while 7 Republicans were President for 40 years.
Please remember to take the diary poll. Thanks.