Marx+and+Smith+Political+Cartoons+and+Images

=Marx and Smith Political Cartoons and Images=

Socialism and its spinoff of Communism, Capitalism and its spinoff of abuses, have both become the center of many images on the web and political cartoons. In the following images below, give your analysis of what you think is being said and whether you agree with it. If you like, you can also talk about what response the image or political cartoon would elicit from Smith or Marx.

Finally, I encourage you, after all of this, to address the following question: Why is President Obama perceived by so many as a Socialist? I think that these cartoons might help you understand some of this and then be able to engage in your own analysis to see why this perception is out there and who believes it.

If you have come across an insightful political cartoon, please feel free to add it here and invite discussion about it. As always, attribute work to its rightful owner our source.

**I chose picture 3 because it is a picture of Burns that says you have ignore your family, your religion, and your friendship to make money. He is is basically saying do whatever you can to make money. This goes with Mr. Kannan's quote: If the ref doesn't catch it it is not a foul. It is saying that if you do something illegal and the cops don't catch you, it doesn't matter. This represents Marx's thinking because he thinks people have to give up family and friends to make money and that is what Burns did to be successful.** **Emma**
 * Period 1 **

Slide 10 is the picture of the guy holding money behind his back and waving the American Flag. The image basically says that Americans are proud but we are sometimes proud for the wrong reasons. Smith would agree with the message because he did favor the idea Capitalism.- Jittaun period 2

Slide 20 represents the idea of socialism. The slide shows that although sometimes the government agrees with socialism the government can also take a lot away from you which has to do with capitalism. I don't think Marx would really like this message because he believed the socialism was the best idea and this would kind of be a slap in the face. - Jittaun period 2

When you come across a cartoon or image upon which you would like to comment, write the title of the slide and your thoughts about the image/ cartoon. Potential talking points: 1) What is the cartoon or image trying to say? 2) What would Marx or Smith say about the message? 3) What does the cartoon or image contain regarding capitalism or socialism?

Please note: Watch the slideshow first and then post your thoughts. Maybe you want to have a Word Document along side out for you as you watch and post.

media type="custom" key="11291094" I think that 17 paints a pretty acurate picture of how capitalism favors the rich over the poor. It shows that the business man or bank owner has alot of money. It also shows an average man who just is trying to save his money that the bank is taking. - Halie S. <3 <3 <3 <3

picture 24 was so hilarious. i get what there getting at though. there saying that socialism hates capitalism capitalism hates socialism but as you can see capitalist had the money bag. (jheckelman) 2nd peirod

I think image 20 is trying to say that a government that can do very good things, can also do very bad things. Marx would say that if the government was socialist then this wouldn't happen. This image shows the low end of capitalism. Will G 2

Sadly, I found picture 9 downright hilarious. Not the fact that people are suffering while others thrive, but the fact that the people that DO strive are doing nothing to help the poor. I think the meaning of this cartoon is that the rich aren't helping the poor. Griffin Shaw P. 1

Another cartoon I found funny was #17, Like Cole said, when bankers screw up, its up to good ol' Mr. average taxpayer. Capable of not being heard at all, and losing money faster than you can say Capitalism. Griffin Shaw P. 1.

Cartoon nine is showing that capitalism is both good and bad. There is both poverty and wealth amongst capitalism. Henry V, period 1

Cartoon 20 shows how socialism makes government super strong. In the image a man has nothing left since the goverment that supplied him with his needs took everything away from him. Henry V, Period 1

Picture 24 shows the bad parts of socialism and Capitalism. In Capitalism the people are greedy and want more, but in socialism everyone is equal so they feel a bigger urge to do so.


 * 1) I chose picture 18 and I think that it is trying to say that Santa needs a job and was trying to make a deal with the kid. He was saying, I will take your Christmas list if you give your dad my resume. So Santa needs a better job.- Josie Period 1 **

2) I chose picture 24 and I think it is trying to say that in capitalism you kill because you have the power to get away with it, while in socialism you kill because you are greedy and want the money.- Duncan Period 2

1) Cartoon 17 is definitely a side affect of Capitalism. When the bankers screw up they leave it to the taxpayers, who don't have a say in it, to fix it. Thank you so much J.P. Morgan. Cole period 1 2) I chose picture 3 and I think it represents Marx's view because it says that the freedoms don't matter as LONG AS YOU MAKE MONEY.( danny m) 3) Cartoon 13 represents how socialism will ruin everything. So the cartoon is on smiths side.(danny m) I chose the picture involving Mr. burns and it is trying to say that business is all about being by your self and trusting no one else.I think that smith would agree with this because this relates to his idea of self interest and this would relate to capitalism. Diego Period Picture 8 is saying that Capitalism and Socialism both have problems. i dont think either Marx Or smith would agree with this because this is more from the view of a third party who sees that socialism and capitalism both have problems. Diego Period 1

1) I chose picture 12 and i think it is trying to say that the workers earn the money and their boss just steals it. It explains that everything in the factory is made by selling products. So the worker deserves the money, not their boss. - Parker Period

1.) I think pic #21 represents Smith. It shows socialism. But it's a negative cartoon of socialism. It shows a guy taking money from another guy for a hobo. It's making fun of how people should do whats right but at the same time taking money from people without permission which isn't right.-Meghna

Slide four is a picture of a bunch of fast food restaurants and shoe companies and such. There is a guy saying I want you to buy to buy crap! The faces of capitalism. What this picture is saying is that he wants you to buy something that is crap. Such as McDonalds food. It's delicious but its so bad for you. It's also proven that the colors red and yellow make you hungry and that's why McDonalds has that as its main food. They use all these commercials and stuff to make you want to buy it but when you get it its no good. This is capitalism. Smith would agree with this, Marx would not. -Julia Barcia Period 2

I think picture #24 is interesting. It represents Marx, but it is trying to say both socialism and capitalism are inferior. In socialism, the government attacks the people with the money, and in capitalism, the government has the money and attacks the people. It shows that socialism isn't as bad as capitalism, but both systems are wrong. Jordan Mann

I think picture # 24 is saying that people become so greedy when they already have so much money. They will take advantage of the people with little money. This represents Marx's idea of capitalism and his reality of greedyness. The first side of the cartoon represents Socialism because the person is mugging the guy with money, and the right side of the cartoon represents Capitalism because the guy with money is mugging the guy without money. Exactly representing how Capitalists run. --- Sage D period 2

I think all of these slides (messages) really got to me i just wish it got to all the other grown ups in the government. Antwoin B period 1 Picture 9 represents how Capitalism does not work. While it "makes people rich", it makes more people poor. In the picture, we see skyscrapers in the background, representing the rich, but the number of houses in the poor neighborhood out numbers them. There are tons more people living in poverty than rolling in their money. It does not work because if all the poor are rebelling against the rich, we will have a completely ruined society, with nobody keeping it running. Ally Period 1
 * I chose picture 17. I think it's saying that the big guy in life always is getting what he wants because his opponents are smaller, and the little guy is always in the big guys shadow. This picture's way of representing this is that in industry, when someone has a lot of power, owning factories and really rich, everyone else isn't getting that fair share. So when the big guy jumps in the money pile, the little one has a recession. It has something to do with capitalism and socialism because one guy is getting money, CAPITALISM, and other guy is about to be drowned from recession, SOCIALISM.**
 * Sofie Period 1 :)**

3) Picture 24 represents capitalism and socialism are both flawed. In capitalism the people with all the money are still killing the poor people. In socialism the people without money are fighting back or fighting each other. Either way someone is getting killed. ~Cami period 1

2) Picture 9 is about Karl Marx's class system. There were people who were rich and people who were poor. There is no in between. While some people were barely getting by others were thriving in the cities. ~Cami period 1

In slide 6, I think the picture is trying to show that people are somewhat forced to work boring jobs because jobs are very hard to get now. I think Marx would agree with what the picture is saying because he believes people need to get jobs for the money not the enjoyment. I think Smith would dislike the photo because he believes that you can do what ever you want in order to get money as long as you're happy. -Elise T.

In slide 9, I think the picture is showing how big business owners overpower the "poor" people that have to work the hard, boring jobs that no one wants to do. Marx would probably say something about how there is no middle class because you are either rich or poor. Smith, on the other hand, would say that that is technically not correct because you can classify yourself as whatever you want. -Elise T.

On slide 3 i think it is definitely Marx because it says freedom doesnt matter if you make money. This is also lil waynes view =p.

10) image 10 shows how capitalism is going to keep all the money and leave none for the people.(danny m)

I feel that in picture 12 it is showing that really, some people will get rich for nothing, while the poor are the ones who really deserve to be rich. Smith would say that this is okay because the boss and worker are doing what they want to it is okay. But nothing can be okay with the rich getting money for doing nothing Scott period 2

**I think picture number nine shows Marx's ideas. In the picture, there is only a big city in the background and a poor area in the front. This shows his idea that there is only upper class and lower class. No middle class.** **Sofie Period 1 :)**

Slide nine was portraying Marx's theory that there is an upper class and a lower class, and no in between. This is shown by the sad little shacks standing in a ditch, and in the distance, industry's booming and there are rich business heads' buildings. It's almost like they're taunting the poor people. Rory period1

I enjoyed slide four because I recently just watched "Roger and Me." I believe that Micheal Moore is very knowledgeable about Capitalism and socialism. Henry H, Period 1

Picture 3 is saying that if you want to be rich and have a perfect lfie, you have to throw away all that is meaningful before you can settle down and enjoy it again. Rory, 1st period

8)PICTURE 6 REPRESENTS HOW CAPITALISM WILL SPLIT EVERYONE UP. SO NO ONE WILL BE TOGETHER.(DANNY M)

I think #20 is interesting. It is a picture of a homeless man sleeping on the street. Under it, it says "any government that is capable of giving you everything you need is also powerful enough to take away everything you have." I believe it means that since socialism is about sharing, that means that you will be able to have everything you may want because you are getting all this money. The problem would be then. everyone including you will be poor because everyone must have a share of the wealth. Therefore, it takes everything you have away. - Grace R. per.2

slide #18 really puts things into perspective. Santa Clause is the most well-known man EVERYWHERE and if HE can't get a job, then I don't know who can anymore. -Caroline Orlin P. 1

Picture 9 shows a very sad side of society. You can see slums with very little amount of wealth, then only miles away you can see the billion $ skyrises where people are making millions. Very ironic. The rich are the thesis and the poor are the antithesis. The emmbarrising part about it, is the rich do very very little to help the poor. But they go and buy 2 million $ houses? Marx did say that their is a low class, and a high class, no middle. Jay H P. 2 Slide #20 just really gets you, I agree with Grace, if you keep splitting up $100, you will eventually end up with less money than you started with. -Caroline Orlin P.1

I agree with Grace and Caroline. Slide 20 really shows what happens if you keep splitting $100, you are going to eventually have a very small amount of money that hard to make a living off of. Naomi G period 2

Slide #21 is saying that Socialism is about sharing, but it's a dirty type of sharing. The man is giving mooney to a poor man from another man's wallet. Socialism is about sharing, but a lot of people are too selfish to share with those who really need it. ISN'T THAT WHAT KINDERGARTEN WAS FOR PEOPLE!!!!!!!?????? share your toys!! -Caroline Orlin P. 1 Slide 9 is telling you that capitalism only make a few people rich and made most people poor. Marx would say that this is very true about capitalism. This cartoon is about the downsides of capitalism. Diego Period 1

I choose slide 8, because it represents capitalism in so many good ways. The rich, the ones with power will still try, even if they fall. They wont admit any bad, they will just brush by the fact. -Lindsey zw Per:2 I also choose, slide number 4. I choose this because, now a days, it's all about buying things, and getting things. The market wants to catch your eye on something so you will want to but it. -lindsey zw Per:2

slide 20 isn't so much funny as it is sad. it really shows you the down side of government. Imagine a world when all houses were owned by the bank/government. Where all people were poor and the government didn't try to do anything about it. I think this picture has a point, If the government has enough power to supply everyone with what they need then shouldn't they be able to supply only themselves too? Megan Period 2

Lastly, I choose slide 24. This shows the down sides to both capitalism and socialism. With Capitalism the red have the money, but they still want more. With Socialism, the blue have the money but the red want their money, more money. lindsey zw Per:2

I think that cartoon 9 is so true, but compleley sad. It shows the slums of a city, then in the backround the nhigh skyscrapers where the rich are. This pictue is so true. It shows the differnce between the bourgeoisie' and the proletariat. rich and the poor. Its sad to know that the rich do very little to give a small amount of money to the poor, but spend 2 million $ on a new house? sad. Jay H. p.2

In picture number 15 it reminds us of how people have reacted to new things that could help everyone. They have all called it socialism. Yet all of the things listed in the cartoon helped or can help the country. Cole Period 1 in slide 10 it shows you how Capitalists do some charity work but are ultimately working for their own benefits. Smith would protect this idea because the capitalist is simply taking a self interest and supporting himself. This is a capitalist image. Diego Period 1

In slide 21 it says that socialism would basically just be a casual form of pocket picking. They would be taking other people's hard earned money. No one wants it to be legal for a stranger reaching in your pocket. Cole Period 1

**Picture number 20 is representative of Marx because the homeless man is part of the 99%. He is someone who started off with soem money but then lost it to the 1%** **Emma Neville** **Period 1**

Slide 9 really shows Marx's theory of you are either really rich and own the means of production or you are really poor. Henry H, Period 1

I think the picture with Santa Clause is a really good representation of how people feel when the Capitalists crack their whip. Even Santa Clause is feeling the recession. This brings up a good point. I think that this is how desperate people get. I would not be surprised if when I was younger an older babysitter would ask to talk to my parents about work. It's the sad, but true, reality.- Bob H.

I think that Picture 3 shows that if you really want to succeed in business, you have to forget all of the things that have made your life great. This represents Marx's thinking of how you have to give up things to be successful in business. Naomi G period 2

I think that the pyramid of capitalism is very, very, very, true and one of my favorite quotes is becoming not true its "every one has to pay taxes eve business men who rob, cheat, and steal every day even they have to pay taxes" and that's from It's a mad mad mad mad world and its about these people who fond a guy who told them where 350 thousand dollars are so they do any thing to get there and when they get there a cop steals all the money and they chase him and then all the money flies off a roof to the people down below. Morgan Jurgus

Picture 23 showed Marx's idea. It was funny, and sad at the same time. The poor guy who suggested that people help and give was shunned by the socialists who wanted and took things. A lot of people are really selfish, because maybe they're not in the 1% of wealth, but they have the necssities for life, a decent house, and some money left over. So instead of using that excess money to help out those who are homeless, or have no job, people want to make what little sum they have leftover into a bigger sum, because all they care about is themselves. I think that if people aren't rich, but have an ok life with enough money to help those in need, they should be content and not worry about superficial/materialistic things. Rory peiod

I think that picture shows a great definition of capitalism. It shows that there is a fine line between the rich and poor. You see the city where people are making millions of $, and then a few miles out of the city you see the poorest place. It's funny how some of the most successful places can be right next to the some of the worst places. Gavin S. 2nd period

I think picture 20 shows the truth of Socialism and how it can affect people in that certain. It says that your goverment can give you everything you need or it can take away your life and make it seem like your living in a pit of hell. Gavin S. 2nd period

I thought slide 22 was an interesting cartoon. It showed three socialists, all corruptive leaders who were socialists. It shows how dangerous and flawed socialism can be. Jordan MAnn

I found 23 funny, in the "Your ideas are flawed, and we shall now repeatedly make fun of you" way. The cartoon is trying to make fun of the people who expect that there government should be abolished over fixable issues, and refuse to actually try to make change first. I think that this cartoon would be likely favored by Marx, as it recommends sharing and helping as a method of trying to fix the problems.

--James M Your kind and loving Canadian overlord

In slide 17, I think it is displaying how the big business owners have all the money so they can have "Recess" but the poor workers don't have a lot of money so they are in a "Recession." -Elise T.

Slide 20 represents how Capitalism can put many people out on the streets with no money. This is a pretty much spot on representation on how the government puts so much money for wars over seas that aren't winnable instead of helping the dieing men here in America. (I'm not sure where i heard this but it sounds right :D) --Sage D period 2

I thought slide 21 represented socialism very well, because it showed the basics of the idea of rich and poor, and how people react to it. -Julia C period 2

Slide 4 shows that all these name brand products are actually taking advantage of Americans by making their products unhealthy, but cheap so they make more money. Instead of helping America with its obesity problem, they are all about the power of economics and just help make this epidemic even worse. --Sage D period 2 I chose picture 8 because it shows how capitalism is veering away from fairness. A way this is true is because buisness giants become rich for nothing. Scott period 2

I think picture #8 is ironic. It shows a government official waving an American flag, with a bag of money behind his back. I think it is suggesting that the man hiding the money is saying how he wants America to be fair and constitutional, but secretly he is doing what he is doing because he can get rich off it. Jordan Mann

I believe slide 9 is a perfect picture of capitalism because it shows the 99% and th bad part of capitalization and then it shows the good side the 1% the upper class the rich looking down on the poor. Jack M

I believe that slide 21 paints a good picture of socialism ,because socialism involves taking money from the rich and giving to the poor this is shows that. Jack M.

slide 16 is a paints a good picture of socialism because the people who are against socialism don't want free health care because socialism is that everything is free and that people wont lose money for things that you cant help like helth care. Jack M.

I think that #24 is trying to say that the rich is being unfair. When the rich has the money they attack the poor and when the poor has the money the rich attack them. This explains that neither socialism or capitalism is fair. - Parker Period 1

 I think that #9 is %100 true. The concept of capitalism explains that the rich succeed and do absolutely nothing to help the poor. The poor only need a small portion of money and the rich don’t even care. CAPITALISM - Parker Period 1

I think that #3 is a form of capitalism because Mr. burns says tat we must slay (meaning push down the poor) in order to succeed (be rich). This is definitely something Mr. Burns would say. - Parker Period 1

I think that #17 explains that when a banker does something wrong, he leaves it up to the tax payer to fix it all. One word. Capitalism - Parker Period 1


 * -I think that number 17 explains that people chose business then the Constitution, and that the owners get more money then the poor obviously. - Josie Period 1 **

**I think that 20 is really like, true. - Raesean C.** **I think that 24 is really funny. But not funny in the way that is someone showed it to me I would laugh, but funny in the way that if i saw it I would think "Oh, thats funny :)" kind of way. - Raesean C.**