Question

Hey can someone please help me with this political cartoon? What is it trying to say?

Answer 1

This is the wrong section, but oh well. What's the cartoon?

Answer 2

my bad!!

Answer 3

well the camera signifies the american public's attention

Answer 4

it's currently focused on mexico and central america (due to the immigrants)

but governor Rick Perry of Texas is trying to steal the spotlight (according to this cartoonist)

Answer 5

the "oops" on his helmet refers to this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uvmKnFY4uk

Answer 6

which has made him (in)famous in a way

Answer 7

the 2016 is in reference to his potential run as president

Answer 8

what do you mean he is trying to steal the spotlight?

Answer 9

and he's trying to say "look at me, I caught an illegal immigrant, so I'm the perfect man to protect this country...so vote for me"

Answer 10

well the issue is on immigration and he's trying to wedge himself in there to get some attention

Answer 11

ohh okay that makes sense! and what was supposed to be the right answer? education, commerce and what?

Answer 12

hmm let me find out

Answer 13

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/rick-perry-forgets-agencies_n_1085249.html


so it says

"About 15 minutes later in the debate, Perry said he meant to say that the Department of Energy is the third agency he wanted to eliminate."

Answer 14

As you can see, that sort of thing would send the message that Perry isn't qualified to run as president since he can barely remember his own plans. So that's one event that kind of derailed his plans.

To be fair, he could have been nervous or lost his place. Even the most seasoned speakers get spooked. Later on, he claims that he was on painkillers which made him a bit forgetful I guess. So who knows.

Keep all this in mind and try to get every aspect of the story. Keep an open mind and decide for yourself. Don't just go for the angle they're trying to feed you.

Answer 15

that makes sense! thank you so much! one last question! who does the little boy in the back signify?

Answer 16

it's explained above, so you tell me

Answer 17

well I guess I forgot to mention "child" or "children", so my bad lol

however, I think it was reported that the majority were teens? Not sure on that one, so don't quote me

Answer 18

anyways, what do you think that child represents?

Answer 19

ohh an illegal immigrant?

Answer 20

correct, specifically an unaccompanied minor

Answer 21

the current issue in the news is focusing on children and teens (under 18) crossing the border

Answer 22

so what about the guy in the military? hes just there to show that the US were spying on mexico?

Answer 23

ohh that makes sense! wow thank you so much

Answer 24

hmm not sure about spying, but I think it's just our collective attention (as a nation)

Answer 25

why would he want to get rid of the education agency? sorry

Answer 26

well he has the conservative ideology that education is a state's responsibility and not the federal government's responsility

Answer 27

The problem with that is that the standards will vary state to state. Without a uniform standard, it's hard to apply testing to see what students know and it's hard to do comparisons. Moreover, if a student moved from state to state, then they may get confused with all the new things they have to learn. So having uniform federal standards is handy to help get everyone on the same level

On the other hand, nowhere in the constitution does it say that the federal government is in charge of education. So in a way, Perry is appealing to strict constitutionality and effectively saying "since it's not in the constitution, the 10th amendment says it's the states job to figure it out". One could also argue that states would do a better job running education if they didn't have to report to the federal government.

Answer 28

and would republicans agree or disagree with this politcal cartoon?

Answer 29

Oh, that makes sense! Because if he would be president he would be responsible for all of this but that is true because it could vary from state to state. It would be especially difficult for students who come from a different state

Answer 30

republicans would disagree with this political cartoon right? because it is bashing on him

Answer 31

well it's hard to say how all republicans feel because it's a bad idea to use blanket statements like that

Answer 32

however, i think for the most part republicans would feel it does bash on him because this cartoon paints him as someone who craves the spotlight with a 'look at me' kind of mentality

Answer 33

so yeah I think they would disagree and it could have been drawn by someone with a liberal/left-leaning slant