Wrong Side of History Huh?

This cartoon was drawn by R.J. Matson and was published in the "Roll Call" section of Cargle Cartoons on December December 10, 2009. For those who are unfamiliar with the Congressional term "Roll Call" it's the name given to the recordings of how the congressmen and congresswomen happened to vote on a proposed legislation as well as providing information on the proposition and whether it was passed or rejected.

The issue Matson is referring to the Health Care Debate in the Senate obviously. The cartoon shows that the Democrats are trying to make progress by taking a full force approach forward while the republicans are trying to pull them back while referring to the Democrats of being on "the wrong side of history". This is referring to the Democrats recent proposition to alter Medicare to include 60-year-olds rather than the traditional 65-year-olds as what was originally laid out. The new change in Medicare seems to anger republicans because they're essentially relying on the fact that Democrats are changing the "tried and proven" system into a new uncertain one. It's funny because when Medicare was initiated in 1965 there was much opposition from the republican side. Reagan and Bush Sr. for instance actually claimed that Medicare was "socialism". I love how republicans are now defending Medicare and are strongly opposed to changing this plan they were initially so strongly against. This just shows that if President Johnson had not persevered for a change who knows where Health Care would be now. I believe that this act by Johnson reinforces the claim that change is absolutely essential for progress and without change, we'd all be stuck wondering "What if?".

Also shown in the cartoon is Senator Reid who is now a driving force for the Democratic idea of progress regarding the Senate Health Care Debate. Reid has recently come forward with a whole league of doctors from all over the country who joined him on the Capitol Hill and are in support of the proposed bill. They actually claim themselves that they "know from experience that our system is broken". With this action Reid has taken, many more people are hearing from the professionals themselves that something is fundamentally wrong with our existing Health Care System.

The message this cartoon conveys is that Democrats are persevering forward for change themselves while the republicans try their hardest to pull them back. Reid is now a driving force pushing for a change with his recent actions of flying in doctors all over the country in support of the proposed Health Care Bill.

I agree with the cartoon's message that Democrats are trying their hardest to move forward whereas the republicans are trying their hardest to keep them back by remaining unwavering in regards to the whole "change" and "progress" aspect Democrats push forward so diligently. I also agree with the fact that Reid's recent actions serves as a major push forward for the Health Care Bill in general.