Just one more cartoon on national political affairs, and I'll try to return my attention to more Michigan-based shenanigans. But I couldn't let this one go — it's been festering for some time.
There is not a whole lot to add because we've all just experienced it. For the entire election season Americans have been managed and categorized, sorted and labeled, diced and sliced by both major political parties.
We are not individual voters with actual thoughts and real concerns. We are herds of demographics who think in lock-step on singular issues.
Analyzing data may bear this out to be approximately true (sometimes), but only with broad stereotyping, and the effect is awful. We are driven to fall in line with what the data says we ought to be. It drains away both the importance of free-thinking and our empathy for others. A group of people who are black become "the blacks." Rural white people become "hillbillies." Women become something less than a "real" person.
I would think that the first political party to be truly authentic and make us feel less managed would have a real advantage. I know that's asking a lot, but if I had a wish list, that would be near the top.
John Auchter is an editorial cartoonist. Views expressed in his cartoons are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Michigan Radio, its management or the station licensee, The University of Michigan.
