Judge — February 22, 1908 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes American political and business figures regarding "Capital." The image shows Lady Liberty (left, in patriotic dress) confronted by two wealthy gentlemen in top hats—likely representing capitalists or politicians. One holds a sign reading "CAPITAL," suggesting the cartoon critiques how capital/wealth is being concentrated or manipulated. The caption "Keep Your Eye on the Doughnut" is a period idiom meaning "don't be distracted from what matters"—here implying Americans should watch how capital is being handled by the powerful, rather than being distracted by superficial concerns. This reflects late 19th or early 20th-century anxieties about monopolies, financial power, and whether democratic ideals could survive unchecked capitalism. Without a specific date, the exact political figures remain unclear, though the artwork style and themes suggest the Progressive Era.