Editorial Cartoons from Goodwyn
Too many political storms but here's a sampling on recent political issues
Great results from the kickoff newsletter last week. Thanks so much for checking it out!
Before we move on to a sampling of recent cartoons for this issue, I’ve included a quick poll below so you can anonymously provide feedback on what you liked last week. Here’s a link if you missed that newsletter.
On to this week’s content…
How large is $36 Trillion ($36,000,000,000,000)
Our national debt is currently sitting at $36+ trillion yet most couldn’t articulate what that really means. The number 36 isn’t remarkable yet multiply that by a trillion and now you have my attention.
Here are a few examples, including the cartoon above, of what 36 trillion means in appreciable terms. At first glance, your reaction might be “no way”, then you do the math (for those of you comfortable with scientific notation or have a 15 digit calculator) and you’re at “maybe way.”
Your next stop might be to Mr. Ziegler’s 11th grade math class to ask him. But he’d probably just roll his eyes and say “Al, I thought I told you there is such a thing as a dumb question”…
Link for the math at goodwyncartoons.com.
Signal Texts, Should Heads Roll?
How do you, as a rational person, react to leaked military plans over Signal?
My take is that it’s an embarrassment and a messy distraction from getting business done. Does it “signal” that this administration is incompetent, that it’s just the tip of the iceberg, or that it shows the administration’s lack of seriousness?
No, no, and no.
Screw-ups happen, whether it’s human error or technology vulnerabilities, or a combination. Signal’s encrypted but hardly a fortress if someone’s careless with the keys.
They have indeed earned criticism, but the longevity of the “scandal” will be dependent on their actions and their transparency. If the administration plugs the hole, owns it, and moves on with clear messaging, it fizzles. If they deny or deflect, it grows legs.
Remember, Joe Biden’s own “extraordinary success” in Afghanistan.
Don’t Worry, Be Happier
The United States has taken a tumble down the World Happiness Rankings. And based on our online habits it’s not surprising. We’re bombarded online with influencers sipping kale smoothies on private jets while we sit motionless in traffic with our gas station coffee and a packaged set of powdered preservatives in the shape of mini doughnuts.
The endless parade of perfectly curated lives is enough to make anyone wonder if happiness is just a filter we can’t unlock. Add to that the ability to cloak ourselves in an anonymity shield, making it safe to hate, argue, denigrate, cancel, threaten, and emoji bombard.
Toss in a little doom-scrolling —because nothing says “pursuit of happiness” like staying up until 2 a.m. reading about how the world’s ending thanks to Elon or climate change, forgetting if today we’re saving the planet or burning electric vehicles.
Remember when we dreamed of traveling to see the world? Well, that world exists just outside and offers fresh air, exercise, and the chance for an actual social experience, all things that make happiness a far greater possibility.
If Only We Could Find a Jewish Leader
Chuck Schumer continues to get played by Republicans, often with unforced errors. The recent CR exercise is the perfect example. Clearly, he got backed into a no-win situation.
And now, he’s “written” a book warning us that there’s antisemitism in our midst. Oh, gee, really?
All while sitting on his hands ignoring an antisemitism bill that the house passed a year ago. What was needed then and is needed now is a Jewish leader in the Senate. Unfortunately, Joe Lieberman is no longer with us.
If Schumer pushes the bill through the Senate, he’ll expose the Jew hatred on his side. If he does nothing, he’ll expose himself for playing politics with the issue. The best he could manage was a virtue signaling book.
It’ll sell, but is anyone buying it?
Thanks for reading! If you haven’t already provided feedback through the poll, please scroll back up.
Let’s chat…
What other topics are ripe for a cartoon?
Anything standout in this issue? Like, dislike, want more of?
I enjoyed including an underappreciated SNL skit in a previous post so here’s another…