The Supreme Court’s recent decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission continues the legal trend of treating political spending as a First Amendment right, allowing a select few to have disproportionate influence in elections.
Citizens United
Richard Posner Versus the Roberts Court
Domestic, Drawing
No editorial cartoon today (though I did do an illustration for a Black Friday piece at the Gabbler), so I thought I would post this illustration that was commissioned by Ryan Webler, a former classmate of mine and expert on judicial politics who started the UMass Political Science review last year.
I enthusiastically greeted any opportunity that would allow me to learn more about judicial politics and draw Justice Scalia being electrocuted. I recommend this article if you’re interested in learning more about Posner’s criticism of the Roberts Supreme Court.
Americans Advise Afghans on Corruption
Domestic, International
This cartoon directly references two things: A Corruption Index released by Transparency International, and a damning article published in the New York Times, outlining how the C.I.A. was dropping off wads of cash each month to the office of President Hamid Karzai, sometimes in plastic shopping bags, as a way to buy influence. The secret cash amounted to tens of millions of dollars, prompting one anonymous American official to say that the U.S. that was the “biggest source of corruption in Afghanistan.”
Aside from highlighting this blatant example of corruption – I think it’s important to address the way subjectivity and framing affects our definition of corruption. Giving money in return for favor in politics is bribery, regardless of the democratic euphemisms used to legitimize it.
See this cartoon and others at The Gabbler!
New Rules: Super Pacs in American Elections
Domestic, Political Cartoons
Citizens United: Some Speech is More Equal than Others
Domestic, Political Cartoons
