Life — February 27, 1913 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a political cartoon by Rodney Thomson satirizing American capitalism and inequality. The central figure is a portly capitalist in a top hat, surrounded by money bags marked with dollar signs, seated atop what appears to be exploited workers or the poor (depicted as smaller figures below). Behind him looms an eagle with a halo—symbolizing American ideals—while factory smokestacks pollute the sky. The caption reads "Of the people, for the people and by the people," ironically invoking Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The cartoon critiques how American democracy has been corrupted by wealthy elites who control the system "for the people" in name only, while actually serving their own financial interests at workers' expense. This reflects early-to-mid 20th century progressive criticism of industrial capitalism.