Judge — September 21, 1912 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Satire Analysis: "Are You Doing Your Own Thinking?" This Judge magazine piece is a dialogue between a Pullman car porter and a passenger debating political engagement during what appears to be the early 1910s. The satire targets voter apathy and blind party loyalty. The porter challenges the passenger—who switches political affiliation based on convenience rather than principle—to actually think independently about issues. The passage criticizes Americans for passively accepting politicians' and newspapers' talking points rather than examining facts themselves. References to President Taft, the Recall of judges, and the Initiative and Referendum suggest this addresses Progressive Era political reforms. The Republican National Committee credits (Charles D. Hilles, James B. Reynolds) indicate this is Republican propaganda promoting civic engagement and reasoned voting over mere party affiliation. The core message: voters should research issues independently rather than follow the crowd.