Judge — October 28, 1922 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon uses Halloween jack-o'-lanterns as political symbols. Two large pumpkins are labeled "DEM. POLITICIAN" and "REP. POLITICIAN," suggesting both major parties are equally grotesque and menacing. A small figure labeled "VOTER" stands below, appearing frightened or trapped between them. The caption—"Day by day, in every way, they're getting worse and worse"—expresses voter despair about political deterioration. The cartoon satirizes the perception that both Democrats and Republicans have become increasingly corrupt, incompetent, or threatening to ordinary citizens. The jack-o'-lantern imagery suggests politicians are hollow, artificial, and designed to frighten rather than serve the public. This reflects cynicism about partisan politics and suggests the magazine (and presumably its readers) viewed both major parties with deep skepticism.