Existing comment:
“MIND YOU, WE’RE NOT TRYING TO INFLUENCE YOU—CARING FOR THE NEEDY IS THE AMERICAN WAY”
Herblock published this cartoon just as the Washington Post published a column decrying the means by which members of Congress “augment their public income by private and often secret gratuities” beyond accepting campaign contributions. In 1966, President Johnson proposed legislation to encourage small donations, but also “to insure that able men of modest means can undertake elective office unencumbered by the debts of loyalty to wealthy supporters.” Herblock wrote, “Under present campaign financing, big contributors generally pay much more than you can, and indirectly they have more to say about the choices of candidates nominated and elected.”
“Mind You, We’re Not Trying to Influence You—Caring for the Needy Is the American Way,” 1966. Published in the Washington Post, April 21, 1966. |