My inner dialogue for this week's cartoon —
Rational Me (RE): Let's please do something without Donald Trump in it. There's just so much going on with him right now, our cartoon might just get lost in the news swirl.
Emotional Me (EM): Absolutely. I'm on overload with that
RM: Right. So what's been going on in Michigan this week?
EM: THE ROADS! FIX THE ROADS! I HATE DRIVING ON OUR BROKEN, LOUSY, POTHOLE-RIDDLED ROADS!!!
RM: That's all you ever want to talk about. How about cars, though? It looks like vehicle sales are leveling off in North America. The automakers are looking to cut back.
EM: Which means some dedicated Michiganders are going to lose their jobs to protect profit margins and stock prices.
RM: Well, yeah, but the companies need to protect themselves. Competition is fierce. Pruning some workers now might just just save more jobs later.
EM: Sure, sure. Absolutely. At least there will be plenty of good paying jobs with incredible benefits once the coal mines open.
RM: Um... there aren't any coal mines in Michigan. There isn't even any coal.
EM: Exactly.
RM: Oh, I see where you're going with this. Not bad. But I thought we agreed to avoid Trump this week.
EM: Yeah... you're right. Let's check the news and see what else we got.
RM: Right. Okay, this just popped up: "No politician in history — and I say this with great surety — has been treated worse or more unfairly." Guess who?
EM: Are you kidding me? That's what he has to say to future leaders at a commencement address?!
RM: I mean, I understand that he talks in hyperbole, but I think he honestly means it! Does he have no real understanding of history? Geez louise, how thin-skinned can you get?!
EM: So, what do you want to draw?
RM: Oh, it's on.
EM: Yep, let's do this.
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.
