Life, 1916-01-06 · page 31 of 48
Life — January 6, 1916 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This comic strip uses a domestic analogy to satirize how Congress actually governs America. Harold's father explains that Congress, like his wife, "tries to govern the country" but often acts "impulsive—and hysterical." The father admits to "lobbying" Congress through bribes and diplomacy to pass measures he wants—mirroring how special interests manipulate the actual legislative body. The joke's cynicism emerges when Harold notes his mother doesn't merely "try" to govern; she actually does. The father deflates this observation, insisting the analogy isn't perfect. The final panel—a grid of financial aphorisms about "fools," "money," and poor judgment—reinforces the satirical point: Congress is corrupted by lobbyists and special interests, making it fundamentally ineffective at genuine governance. The satire targets Progressive Era anxieties about congressional corruption and corporate influence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ie a a Harold and His Pa “J SEE by the Current Events paper that Congress is in session, and I wish you would tell me, father, if Congress governs the country,” said Harold one evening. Harold’s pa frpwned slightly, as it was Monday evening and he was bus- ily engaged in looking over the mov- ing picture program for the coming week. Rapidly recovering his usual equanimity, however, he said: “It might be better to say, my boy, that Congress tries to govern the coun- try. I think I can give you a good il- lustration of that, Harold. Think of me as the common people of this household, I supply the income, but your mother is in session like Con- gress, and makes and passes all the important legislation.” Here Harold's father looked some- Foo. | STREET | RICHES.” BETTING | 1S 7 “SUCKER | WEIGNTS ATTAINED BY | Foou's | BOLT HE 1s BROUGHT “DILIGENCE 1s Ee “STOP, “SAFETY | FIRST ‘LIP BE: what fearfully around, and lowering his voice, said: “This is just between you and me, and you mustn't repeat it. But I want you to get a good idea of how our country is run, because this will help you later on to do your duty as a citizen of our liberty-loving land. Thinking of our little household as a country, therefore, me as the common people and your mother as Congress, you will carefully note, Harold, that Congress is sometimes impulsive—and hysterical. Oftentimes when I wish to get through any measure Uear to my heart, I have to lobby a good deal and do, well, other things.” “What is lobbying, pa?” “Well, you sit around and wait and see some of the most powerful inter- ests and make bribes and use diplo- macy.” “But, mother father, says you | His YouR WHERE MONEY ANGELS FEAR THE 1s [RATHER TO FOOL'S ARGUMENT." BORN | EVERY Great | MEN SUDDEN MINUTE.” REACHED | FurGuT.” 1s | SooN | SHOT. AS | LAMB MOTHER | Good PROFITS THE | THE AND | THEMScives.” werrmaster | | vucrures “ Quotations” | Foous | UKE 31 never give her anything and you haven't any diplomacy at all.” “That's only her humorous way of talking, Harold.” “Then Congress is humorous, is it?” “Well, not exactly that, Harold.” “And you said Congress tries to govern, but does mother only try to govern you?” “ My boy, you mustn't expect all sim- iles to be exactly alike in every little detail. Congress—that is, the real Con- gress—tries to govern the country, but your mother, who is, as I have so clearly pointed out, our real Congress, actually does govern me and you “But, father, suppose you didn't want to be governed—what would happen?" “The best thing to do under those circumstances, Harold, is to get a new Congress. That is the usual thing.’ “Oh, I see, and is that what they CHOSEN TO THE SLAUGHTER.” FORTUNE FOLLY oF “THE DOLLARS OTHERS.” wit you.” To LAMBS,” comicbooks.com