Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for September 02, 2010
September 01, 2010
September 03, 2010
Transcript:
Caption: The intricate mechanics of government.
Left wall reads: PUBLIC ENTRANCE *arrow pointing down*
Right wall reads: LOBBYIST ENTRANCE *arrow pointing right*
But Guntoting, the politcos already declare that everything they do is for the public, and look where that’s gotten us.
As for business lobbyists, there are two main kinds. The first is fundamentally honest and lobbies to keep Congress informed of needful legislation or potential damage from ill-conceived laws. The second kind is fundamentally dishonest, as they wheel and deal for special favors intended to give them an unearned advantage over competitors. The first is concerned with defending his rights and the second intends to violate someone else’s.
Of course the line between the two types can be blurry in today’s mixed economy, but for a clear depiction of the difference, read Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” for an understanding of what a free economy should look like.
(Red: That notion that businesses screw the worker is right out of Karl Marx. Where were you taught that?)
If the public had their own lobbyists, big money would hire lobbyists to lobby our lobbyists. After all, we’re already paying the target of the current lobbyists and we know how successful that’s been.
chrismaple: billdog’s jape was aimed at the Tea Party, Palin, and Beck, hence the religious metaphor. It would not apply to Ayn Rand, as you say.
Rand’s philosophy, as far as I can tell, was that of a highly intelligent and articulate two-year-old – self-interest is all there is, and altruism and selfless service to others are rubbish. (She reminds me of Stewie Griffin, come to think of it.)
Amazing how some people here try to make this out to be a conservative vs. liberal thing. This cartoon was done 4 years ago, under a different administration. And it can be run again, and again and again, forever and ever, regardless of which party is “in control”.
I recently had a discussion with a wealthy Ayn Rand tea-partier type. He was 100% behind the military-industrial complex but thought that spending tax dollars to feed hungry American children was a waste of money. When I mentioned to him that Exxon/Mobil paid $0 in federal income tax last year, his response was that corporations shouldn’t have to pay taxes. This dude is one sick puppy.
One advantage of being from a low-population state like the Dakotas or Wyoming: it’s easier to get in to see your elected officials. I say nothing about how easy it is to get them to listen to you.
Notice when the amount of money a Congressman has taken over a lifetime from a lobbying group is mentioned, how small the amounts —usually in the thousands, millions…. tens of millions.
These relatively meager contributions gain lobbyists BILLIONS in benefits – often tax loopholes.
Million,000,000
Billion,000,000,000
They earn 1000 to 1 on their investment. And our pig-headed avoidance of figuring out a way to make public financing work COSTS us that 1000.
wndrwrthg about 14 years ago
Money is the grease that lubricates the wheels of government.
tis4kis about 14 years ago
Pretty much the same mechanism in Canuckistan. At least the same result.
Sisyphos about 14 years ago
Screw the Public! Make straight the way of the money-bearing Lobbyist!
BTW, Compare PBS (today’s and yesterday’s).
ksoskins about 14 years ago
It’s the Golden Rule; them that has the gold makes the rules.
Bittermelon of Truth about 14 years ago
… yeah and they go right into his pocket as “campaign contributions” (see yesterday’s Pearls Before Swine).
UncaAlby about 14 years ago
Well you really can’t see it in this picture, but I think there’s probably a Minotaur in the upper corner having taxpayers for lunch.
This explains why there’s an entrance with no need for an exit.
runninanreadin about 14 years ago
…and, if you’ve noticed, there is NO way the public can ever reach government. Well put.
hildigunnurr Premium Member about 14 years ago
Ain’t that the truth?
cdward about 14 years ago
Sigh. It’s probably always been this way, but it feels like the power of the corporate owned lobbyist is greater now than ever.
arifvakil about 14 years ago
Brilliant stuff Wiley. LoL Baslim!
Desultourist about 14 years ago
I thought the lobbyist entrance was through the backside of his chair.
Potrzebie about 14 years ago
How come no college has a Lobbyist BA or BS?
pschearer Premium Member about 14 years ago
Wow, look at all those lobbyists from the government employees and teachers unions!
Wildcard24365 about 14 years ago
Why complain? Is Capitalist system at work, da? Is, how you say, incentive to “work smarter, not harder:” get enough money to influence system?
Da… money makes world go ‘round.
nickmangieri Premium Member about 14 years ago
For every labor lobbyist, there are at least ten from big business trying to screw the workers.
GuntotingLiberal about 14 years ago
Good idea Wildcard, maybe the public should band together and pay for our own lobbyists.
XslayerALE about 14 years ago
wait …. where are the hoops and traps?
pschearer Premium Member about 14 years ago
But Guntoting, the politcos already declare that everything they do is for the public, and look where that’s gotten us.
As for business lobbyists, there are two main kinds. The first is fundamentally honest and lobbies to keep Congress informed of needful legislation or potential damage from ill-conceived laws. The second kind is fundamentally dishonest, as they wheel and deal for special favors intended to give them an unearned advantage over competitors. The first is concerned with defending his rights and the second intends to violate someone else’s.
Of course the line between the two types can be blurry in today’s mixed economy, but for a clear depiction of the difference, read Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” for an understanding of what a free economy should look like.
(Red: That notion that businesses screw the worker is right out of Karl Marx. Where were you taught that?)
pdchapin about 14 years ago
If the public had their own lobbyists, big money would hire lobbyists to lobby our lobbyists. After all, we’re already paying the target of the current lobbyists and we know how successful that’s been.
jkoskov about 14 years ago
Are we sure this official’s title isn’t… “Former Liberal Educator, now Liberal Government God”
Or how about, “Department of Hope and Change.”
Justice22 about 14 years ago
We already have a college devoted to producing lobbyists. It is called “Congress”.
tsouthworth about 14 years ago
pschearer, yeah, that’s why there are so many rich teachers around, driving BMWs and M-B…oh, wait.
peter0423 about 14 years ago
chrismaple: billdog’s jape was aimed at the Tea Party, Palin, and Beck, hence the religious metaphor. It would not apply to Ayn Rand, as you say.
Rand’s philosophy, as far as I can tell, was that of a highly intelligent and articulate two-year-old – self-interest is all there is, and altruism and selfless service to others are rubbish. (She reminds me of Stewie Griffin, come to think of it.)
egadi'mnotclad about 14 years ago
When future archeologists unearth our culture, I hope they find a cache of your strips! That’ll explain it all.
love ya.
worldisacomic about 14 years ago
Just outside the cartoon frame is the Chicago City Limits sign!
sleepeeg3 about 14 years ago
More of this.
Dutchboy1 about 14 years ago
There probably USED TO BE an opening to his office for the public in there, but one of the lobbyists brought in a wall panel to block it up.
Wiley creator about 14 years ago
Amazing how some people here try to make this out to be a conservative vs. liberal thing. This cartoon was done 4 years ago, under a different administration. And it can be run again, and again and again, forever and ever, regardless of which party is “in control”.
WaitingMan about 14 years ago
I recently had a discussion with a wealthy Ayn Rand tea-partier type. He was 100% behind the military-industrial complex but thought that spending tax dollars to feed hungry American children was a waste of money. When I mentioned to him that Exxon/Mobil paid $0 in federal income tax last year, his response was that corporations shouldn’t have to pay taxes. This dude is one sick puppy.
Justice22 about 14 years ago
^ The unpaid taxes went to pay the wages of the thousands of workers they added to their workforce.
bmonk about 14 years ago
One advantage of being from a low-population state like the Dakotas or Wyoming: it’s easier to get in to see your elected officials. I say nothing about how easy it is to get them to listen to you.
ChukLitl Premium Member about 14 years ago
The lobbyists have way too much influence over who gets in the servants’ entrance.
RadioTom about 14 years ago
The “public entrance” is too big….
wijid about 14 years ago
if money is the grease, then hypocrisy is the vaseline of political intercourse
JP Steve Premium Member about 14 years ago
Great Ayn Rand put-down, Scaaty!
lindz.coop Premium Member about 14 years ago
Amen Billdog – I’m just curious to know who hasn’t experienced getting screwed by business?
myming about 14 years ago
so true !!!
vhammon about 14 years ago
Notice when the amount of money a Congressman has taken over a lifetime from a lobbying group is mentioned, how small the amounts —usually in the thousands, millions…. tens of millions.
These relatively meager contributions gain lobbyists BILLIONS in benefits – often tax loopholes.
Million,000,000 Billion,000,000,000
They earn 1000 to 1 on their investment. And our pig-headed avoidance of figuring out a way to make public financing work COSTS us that 1000.
atemisk_roun about 14 years ago
i agree with the last comment money is being used too loosly
steer47 about 14 years ago
Hey, how does Wiley know how my representative/senator in both state and fed levels operate?