Political Cartoon

 

Health Insurance

 

The 2010 political cartoon by A.F. Branco titled “New Crimes” address the health insurance policy in America. Health Insurance is insurance that covers your health care expenses. It is something that all people should have in case of an accident. It is very expensive though and some people can’t afford it. The political cartoon I chose was of two guys in a jail cell talking. The guy on the left is a murderer and the guy on the right is a person who didn’t buy health insurance. To me this cartoon is talking about Obama Care. I also think it is showing that people who don’t want Obama Care and trying to tell other Americans not to vote for it because if you don’t buy it you will end up in jail.  

This cartoon shows exaggeration because the guy who didn’t buy health insurance would never be in the same cell as the guy who murdered twelve people. The murderer also has a knife or sharp object and in jail they make sure nobody has objects people could use for killing. There is also writing on the back wall that reads “Manson was here.” Charles Manson was a murderer in the 1960’s. The odds of that jail cell being Charles Manson’s is pretty low. This cartoon doesn’t have many symbols but it has some that do a good job representing what they are. The guy on the left is a big, tough looking guy with a knife and tattoos. Anyone can see that he represents a criminal or bad guy. The guy on the left is a skinny guy with a suit on. This just represents a normal working man.

The “New Crimes” caption is in big letters and is one of the first things you see. It is saying that not buying health insurance is the new way to get in trouble with the government. Below the caption there are two words that read “Freedoms Battle.” This helps readers see that America is trying to fight for their freedom. If they don’t want to buy health insurance then why should they be made to do so? Getting in trouble for not buying health insurance is just another way that is standing in the way of people that believe in freedom. I wasn’t sure if it had visual irony but I thought it was pretty ironic that the guy that didn’t buy health insurance is in the same cell as the guy who murdered twelve people.

            This cartoon lacks caricature and iconography but it shows the struggle of fighting for freedom and what government is doing to try and make you buy health insurance. A.F. Blanco is saying what he believes is unfair and people have the right to do what they want. I didn’t know much about this cartoon at first but after I read what other people thought I started to understand. Health care is something someone should have but shouldn’t be forced to have it.