I'm Lovin' It

            This cartoon immediately grabs the attention of nearly any “American” over the age of five.  The unmistakable golden arches and solid red rooftop initiate the taste of two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun.  The artist, Kevin Tuma, assumes the audiences knowledge of many aspects of the McDonald’s corporation.  At first glance, it is clear that he is focused on government spending.  The tall trademark arches sign now reads McCongress, likely to denote the position of control congress is in.  I am sure it was by no mistake that the sign was drawn higher than Ronald and is looming behind him.  It adds to the humor that the usual “Billions Served” was changed to “Billions and Trillions Robbed.”  This could well be a jab at Congress’ use of taxpayer money.  Looking at who we can assume is Ronald McDonald, now called McGovernment, we see a huge clown feasting on a large sandwich labeled “Obama stimulus.”  The clown is preparing to consume the stimulus, reassuring the “folks” that no federal agency will be unfunded during their time of need.  The first thing that comes to my mind while looking at Ronald is McDonald’s corporation’s reputation.  For many years it has entered lawsuits and been the subject of documentaries regarding the fat content of its foods.  Our country is known for excess, especially in food.  Many surveys hold us in the top 10 most obese countries in the world.  This depiction says as much using so much less.  Ronald McGovernment is already pressing the limits of his cleverly named US belt, and now he’s preparing to consume even more!

            This does not bode well for Mr. McGovernment.  I would speculate that Tuma is not at all in favor of the ever-increasing international debt.  He seems to be indicating the effects of throwing money at our country’s problems over and over.  The fundamental structure of the US can barely function now that the government is in such drastic debt, and the US will eventually break and cease to function.  Tuma makes sure to include that Ronald is supersizing “again.”  This reminds us that the government has been spending for years and alerts us to the possibility of continued “supersizing.”  This illustration of a pattern is furthered by the humorous burp at the end of Ronald’s dialogue.  I gather from that little burp that he could very well have just finished his last meal.  One final observation, perhaps not intentional, is in the dialogue font style.  It appears that a certain four words are bold-faced: “Save Federal Agency Need!”  Whether or not this was intended by the artist, it is rather ironic.  Ronald is trying to reassure the people that funding will go to the federal agencies that can help them.  Then we find the underlying message, that the federal agencies in question actually need saving.  In all of this, one thing is sure.  Kevin Tuma recognizes a need for change in governmental funding tactics that seem to continually add to a problem with an expiration date.