Cartoon #6

1. Tom Toles
2. The key objects of the cartoon are the eggs from which Mitt Romney and Barack Obama hatch from. This represents that both of their ideas of medical care programs were born from the same idea.
3. The cartoonist uses caricature and irony to emphasize the similarities between the two health care programs started by the two politicians.
4. The cartoon highlights the irony of Mitt Romney's attacks on Obama Care as he runs for the Republican nomination for president when his own health care program is quite similar to Obama's plan.
5. The cartoon is saying that Romney has no place to criticize Obama Care when he created a similar program.
6. The cartoonist has a negative view of Mitt Romney and his criticism of Obama Care to prove his place in the Republican party.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/toles-looks-to-election-2012/2011/04/04/AFIGBGdC_gallery.html#photo=5

Question of the Week #6

As the first semester comes to a close, it's unbelievable I was able to juggle all the things going on in my life. With 4 AP classes, sports, work, SAT's, ACT's, clubs, and everything else it's amazing that I could manage my time to handle all of that. I've gotten into 3 colleges so far- Penn State, University Colorado Boulder, and University Wisconsin Madison. However, unlike everyone else, this brings little relief since I still have to apply for scholarships, hear back from other colleges, and choose between all of these great schools.
Next semester I hope everything slows down, but I have a tendency to over-do things. On top of my internship, I may start 2 more jobs in addition to my current position at a tutoring center. I am already counting down the days until graduation. I cannot wait until all my work has paid off and I finally get my diploma and prepare for my new life at college. 

Cartoon #5

1. Tom Toles
2. The key objects of the cartoon are the pile of money, the shovel, and Uncle Sam. The pile of money represents the ills with the U.S. government as politicians get elected on money, which are highly attributed to Super PACs and their unlimited budget to advertise for a politician. The shovel emphasizes how deep America is influenced by Super PACs. Uncle Sam is typically seen as the pure representative of America who represents the American ideal of democracy. His placement in the cartoon accentuates just how big this problem is if he is desperately digging to find democracy.
3. The cartoonist uses exaggeration and symbolism (uncles sam) to address the issue of Super PACs control over democracy through its unlimited budget.
4. The cartoon is emphasizing the ills of Super PACs and how they have put a wall between America and it's progress to achieve democracy.
5. The cartoon is saying that Super PACs are bad and are ruining America.
6. The cartoonist has a negative view of Super PACs.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/tom-toles-cartoons-for-january-2012/2011/12/30/gIQAjtfARP_gallery.html#photo=1

Question of the Week #5

I believe Ron Paul will end up winning the Republican nomination. Currently Rick Santorum seems the most promising with his success in the Iowa Caucus. However, it won't be long before the Republican Party and most of America tires of Rick Santorum like all the other favored nominees. His strong conservative leanings will scare off most of the run of the middle Republican voters. His radical ideas such as getting rid of birth control and his comment about black people in welfare is going to impede his success to a nomination. The Republican Party will continue to not like Mitt Romney.... he'll only get the nomination if absolutely no one left is acceptable to be nominated. Which leaves us with Ron Paul. He has been gaining momentum along with Santorum and has appealed to a strong youth force. The Republican Party would nominate him because of his likelihood to be voted in office. He'll have the connection with the elderly population who counts for most of the voters. Furthermore his more radical and logical solutions to issues, based on his strict interpretation of the constitution, will pull in youth votes and their activism away from Obama who were key to his 2008 win.