TOW #15 - Visual Text: Congress

This political cartoon was created by Paul Combs, an award-winning illustrator. He's the author of the cartoons Drawn by Fire, and often draws political cartoons, one of which was featured on U.S. News. This political cartoon addresses the slow and seemingly nonexistent progress of congress frequently dubbed by people as the "Do-Nothing Congress." Incorporating an everyday farmer as the typical American, along with twisting a familiar sci-fi plot, emphasizes the mocking humor used against Congress by Combs in this political cartoon.
Interestingly, the human figure used to represent America is a farmer, rather than a businessman or formal-styled, typical American worker. The very rural setting that he's placed in, right next to a barn, along with the overalls, makes him seem like he's very distant from the city, where political business happens. Congress seems very distant and unaffiliated with this everyday citizen, and the only ties he has with Congress is only through the newspaper. The facial expression he has also seems to show that he's given up with Congress and the world. Congress, as demonstrated by Comb, is very separate from its everyday citizen and has reached a point where the citizens gave up on them.
Another way this political cartoon is made humorous is through its use of the aliens. Alien invasion is a story development that most are familiar with, and it includes aliens asking people, "Take me to your leader." That line is implied, and the farmer responds by saying, "Our leaders? Good question. Let us know if you find any." This clearly states that America does not have leaders, or at least leaders who don't actually lead anything. The aliens respond with puzzled looks, and this is obviously a ridiculous situation even to extraterrestrial beings. This creates sarcastic humor that any viewer can enjoy.
Set in a place seemingly far away from the capitol city, this political cartoon undermines the efficiency and outcomes of Congress by criticizing its low progress in a different twist of the familiar alien invasion. Paul Combs has a very cynical view of Congress, and wants to shed light on its ridiculousness that he believes even aliens wouldn't think that makes sense. Through his humor, he asserts that we need a working Congress that's not distant from the citizens but rather helps the citizens.