America's Debt

[sijunlisrad]

Steve Benson, Arizona Republic, 10/2/08

This cartoon shows a man trying to pay for his items at a store. In the first section, the cashier hands the man back his credit/debit card because it's maxed out. The costumer then gives the cashier another card and again, it's maxed out. The man keeps trying to pay with yet another card, and the same routine happens. While this is happening, the lady in the back is reading a magazine; the cover says "Bail Out", suggesting that she's reading about the economic crisis that America's currently in. She asks outloud, "How did America get so much in debt?" and the man, who is still attempting to pay with maxed-out cards, simply replies with "Don't ask me." The author is trying to show how Americans are oblivious and can't take the blame for the economy crisis that they're facing.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out how bad our economy has gotten. However, it seems that we, Americans, have been doing nothing but complaining. We're a country who always tries to put the blame on someone else. The debt that we're currently facing, like the cartoon suggests, is our own faults. We're completely oblivious to why we're in this situation. Everyone just spends money without thinking about the consequences, and when the time comes to face those consequences,...we can't. Rather than just digging our economy into a deeper hole, we should take action and stop being so narcissistic. The shape of economy shows that we can't always rely on the government to fix our problems.

[samuellajsupercool]

I do agree that Americans have to realize that the reason why we are in so much debt is due to our own reckless spending, but i don't believe that we our the only ones to blame. Home mortgage companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should have known better than to give out loans to future homeowners who they knew couldn't afford to pay it. I'm not saying that Americans are the victims in this situation, but I don't think that it is entirely their fault that they put their trust into their government. As to the Bailout Plan I'm still on the fence about whether it will work or not. On one hand you can say that Americans shouldn't have to bail out mortgage companies who has basically dug their own graves, but If we don't bailout these companies then the mortgage companies that are still striving will be less likely to give out loans to small business, which will make our economy even worst.

[jonathons]

You are right. This cartoon is really appealing and catches the eye. It clearly is showing how people in America are one main cause of the problems in the economy. People do constantly try to blame the economys problems on everyone else while meanwhile, the people in America cause a lot of the problems themselves. This cartoon is a perfect example of how the average American goes into debt by charging and charging and charging until his or her car is maxed out and finally when the question comes across of how America got into so much debt, the person suddenly has no idea.

[Mr. Wells]

Great work, Sijun!

25/25