Ramirez on Democrats’ ObamaCare death wish
posted at 9:08 am on March 13, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
No one can accuse two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez of holding back — or of Investors Business Daily of a lack of courage in publishing him. His latest take on the Democrats’ headlong rush to electoral oblivion in the midterms, and perhaps beyond, is dead-on accurate. Backbenchers are being asked to blow up their political careers in order to save President Obama’s term in office. But expect people to strongly object to the imagery and the declaration Ramirez uses:
Provocative? Absolutely. But this isn’t insinuating that Obama is a secret Muslim or that Democrats are terrorists. It accuses Democrats of putting Obama the man ahead of their own Constitutional obligations, and their own careers. Perhaps that could also have been depicted as falling on a grenade or committing seppuku, but for this age, the image instantly communicates exactly what the artist intends.
What do you think?
Ramirez has a terrific collection of his works: Everyone Has the Right to My Opinion, which covers the entire breadth of Ramirez’ career, and it gives a fascinating look at political history. Read my review here, and watch my interviews with Ramirez here and here. And don’t forget to check out the entire Investors.com site, which has now incorporated all of the former IBD Editorials, while individual investors still exist.
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Rush went off on GWB starting with his campaign and “compassionate conservatism”. Then over NCLB (didn’t trust the alliance with Teddy), Medicare part D, Harriet Miers, lack of vetoes against Republican Congresses, signing McCain-Feingold, abandoning SS reform. The list goes on.
Yep, locktep party man, all the way.
JeffWeimer on March 13, 2010 at 10:15 AM
The “top” as you call it, is presumably the boundary of what the mainstream accepts as civility in political debate.
Last time I visited that region, I saw a masturbatory-Left-wing porn film about President Bush being assassinated.
There’s a new “top.”
You’re comment is charming in its innocence, though.
jeff_from_mpls on March 13, 2010 at 10:16 AM
I don’t think that Obama-as-Muslim really enters into this cartoon nearly as much as the Dems as suicide bombers for his agenda. That’s the largest point–not Obama’s supposedly Muslimness
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 10:16 AM
You’ve got to wonder about some of these people and their completely tortured logic.
“Gee we hate Bush’s spending so lets vote for Obama and the Democrats who are going to quadruple it over night.”
Yup, that makes complete sense and it makes sense to blame people like Rush for it.
TheBigOldDog on March 13, 2010 at 10:18 AM
AWESOME. RAMIREZ ROCKS!
reliapundit on March 13, 2010 at 10:20 AM
It’s perfect. They look at him like he’s some sort of god it’s only fitting that they’d commit political suicide. They’d not only murder themselves but the American health care system and of course our health.
roux on March 13, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Good for him,somebody ‘s got to say it!
ohiobabe on March 13, 2010 at 10:22 AM
A picture of a donkey falling on a grenade
would not have been an accurate image.
On the other hand, showing a bunch of donkeys
drinking kool aid, with many already dead
and Obama, at a teleprompter, wearing
sunglasses and telling every one
to drink, would also have been an accurate image.
thgrant on March 13, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Never mind that Obama would be a “Lame Duck”, but actually, a “Fence Post Turtle”!!!!
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 9:39 AM
——————————-
I beginning to think fence post turtles are getting insulted here canopfor.
Rovin on March 13, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Rovin: Only those Fence Post Turtles that are sitt’n
on the post,inexplicable perplexed,as to how
they got there,or who put them there!(I kid):)
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 10:26 AM
I think your explanation is somehow… pre-emptive. Let Ramirez answer moronic objections for himself.
Akzed on March 13, 2010 at 10:27 AM
The. Ends. Justify. The. Means.
jukin on March 13, 2010 at 10:28 AM
This is my off topic day but: don’t those ‘Doctors’ look silly standing there with their solemn expressions and their folded hands. You’d think they’d know how foolish they look. Their names should be published so we all know not to trust our health with them.
jeanie on March 13, 2010 at 10:28 AM
EXcellent!
scalleywag on March 13, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Oh dude! Palomino already!
Spirit of 1776 on March 13, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Boo freakin’ hoo. This is a war for a future as free people or slaves to an ever expanding and powerful federal government. Screw those democraps/socialists/marxists clowns!
jwp1964 on March 13, 2010 at 10:33 AM
He hides his muslum background. Be it as it may
bluegrass on March 13, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Was anyone watching Cashin In? According to the token Dem on that show public approval for Obamacare is skyrocketing. Really!!!
Cindy Munford on March 13, 2010 at 10:34 AM
People getting weepy over this cartoon? Are they going to go burn cars?
daesleeper on March 13, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I’m afraid the Dems on the hill won’t even see this brilliant cartoon. As in: “What Tea Party? What polls? What Constitution? Full steam ahead!”
I’m convinced only an act of God will stop them now. Thankfully, He usually has the last word and is pretty outspoken about forked-tongue, backstabbing, power-hungry liars.
Grace_is_sufficient on March 13, 2010 at 10:42 AM
That single picture is pure genius. Ramirez combines several hot topic themes to make a great statement. He so gets it.
Mojave Mark on March 13, 2010 at 10:43 AM
That cartoon was so good I needed a cigarette afterwards.
Emperor Norton on March 13, 2010 at 10:44 AM
I’ve been talking about The Precedent being a suicide bomber for a long, long time. It’s nice to see this idea finally breaking into the public sphere. Now, all people have to do is figure out what he plans to bomb, exactly, (the US) and why (revenge for the third world).
neurosculptor on March 13, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Missing poll option:
(_) “Its over the top and outrageous, and I love it”
/.
CaveatEmpty on March 13, 2010 at 10:46 AM
BEST POLITICAL CARTOON EVAH!!!!!!!
SDarchitect on March 13, 2010 at 10:46 AM
I think….It’s perfect.
Wine_N_Dine on March 13, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Loved it. But there needs to be a hospital in the background.
parteagirl on March 13, 2010 at 10:06 AM
————–
Or a bunch of Doctors in Lab coats.
portlandon on March 13, 2010 at 10:09 AM
————–
==============
Portlandon:)
And lots of children!
————————–
Harry Reid hides behind 11-year-old kiddie shield Marcelas Owens
com/2010/03/12/harry-reid-hides-behind-11-year-old-kiddie-shield-marcelas-owens/
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 10:47 AM
LOVE IT!
Yellowdog12 on March 13, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Oops,I kabotched my post,Harry Reid hides behind
11 year old.
==============
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/03/12/harry-reid-hides-behind-11-year-old-kiddie-shield-marcelas-owens/
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Nice…
RalphyBoy on March 13, 2010 at 10:52 AM
“Over the top”?
Looking back on the political cartoons of President Bush, no, it’s not ‘over the top’.
GarandFan on March 13, 2010 at 10:52 AM
I’ve been calling ObamaCare teh Legislative Jihad for months now… A picture is worth a thousand words…
phreshone on March 13, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Check out Nancy the Butcher!
==============================
Constitution Butchers: Stop Pelosi’s Slaughter House
By Michelle Malkin • March 13, 2010 10:11 AM Meet Constitution-butchers Nancy Pelosi and Louise Slaughter.
Cleaning House…by bloodying it:
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/03/13/constitution-butchers-stop-pelosis-slaughter-house/
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Excellent.
LibTired on March 13, 2010 at 10:55 AM
That was a great one by Ramirez. One of the best he has done, and I’ve been a fan for many years.
Norwegian on March 13, 2010 at 11:01 AM
It needs to have Pelosi & Reid & Waxman holding a match AND the doctors in the white coats.
scalleywag on March 13, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I’ve previously called it the Obamacare Martyr’s Brigade.
It makes perfect sense.
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Ohhh dude, I pray that that ~215 congressmen fall into a deep sleep and have that dream resonate in their little heads every night for the next few days…..Yeeesh
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 11:10 AM
That cartoon should be on the front page of every major newspaper, in print and online, seeing as how they’re all fair and balanced and all that. /
scalleywag on March 13, 2010 at 11:12 AM
goose,meet gander.
DrW on March 13, 2010 at 11:13 AM
You’re right, it’s not a secret–he’s a mooslim, and suicidal at that.
Secondly, democrats aren’t terrorists–they just idolize terrorists to the point that it’s hard to tell the difference. Ask Holder’s Al-Quaeda 9 and Ugbama’s buds Ayers, Dorn, Farakhan, Khalidy, et al.
This needs to be a billboard on I95, I80, I90, and I40.
Western_Civ on March 13, 2010 at 11:17 AM
I disagree.
Jonestown was over thirty years ago. Many over the younger generation won’t get the reference. Ramirez’s analogy is current.
kooly on March 13, 2010 at 11:17 AM
I’m going with a little over the top.
tlynch001 on March 13, 2010 at 9:26 AM
Your opinion has been dewley noted,Are you a member of the advance team?
heshtesh on March 13, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Ramirez just plain rocks – this is definitely one of his best cartoons – its funny, provocative and hits the nail on its head.
No pun intended but the Dims heads are going to explode once they see this :=)
Obamahu Akbar ! Obamahu Akbar !!
nagee76 on March 13, 2010 at 11:18 AM
In the history of democrats, they have always been murderous. To wit, the New Orleans Massacre by Donk thugs to stop the “radical” GOP effort to enfranchise Blacks.
If that bothers some, then hope the Chubbies chop them down. But the Ifs that bother me are the notions that life would be better for all IF I would just roll over and let a “know better” donk Uncle Sam dictate my choices.
In conclusion, barring a royal tar & feathering, our “intelligent” citizen elites ought to choose one of the several options recommended here after losing office. Are you listening Pelosi, Reid, Boxer, Massa and friends? Same for McVain, Grahamnesty, Crispy Orange et al!
AH_C on March 13, 2010 at 11:24 AM
But this isn’t insinuating that Obama is a secret Muslim or that Democrats are terrorists.
It doesnt matter – thats what the Dhimmis will claim it does – they are masters of playing the victim card – but for all “moderate” Dims it will drive a point home that they are lambs who are unwillingly giving up their political careers for supporting this charade of a “reform” bill.
nagee76 on March 13, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Ramirez akbar!
Sowell Disciple on March 13, 2010 at 11:30 AM
I love it. Spot on.Even a lib would be able to get this although they would try to paint it as wingnuts claiming Obama was a Muslim.
Southernblogger on March 13, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I don’t know: adding a commie flag head turban might have been over the top, but this?
Tame… ;-)
karl9000 on March 13, 2010 at 11:33 AM
The time has passed to ever worry again about offending the left. Also, the political correctness crap needs to go.
O/T: Read the New York Times article about the changes in Texas to the textbooks. There is hope after reading that, and good job to those who accomplished the job. Maybe we can take our country back after all!
silvernana on March 13, 2010 at 11:34 AM
that’s funny! sounds like a brand of potato chips er something
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 11:37 AM
do you remember about 6-9 mos ago when you were pretty down about what to do about all this stuff that’s going on, well, here we go, things are starting to turn our way—we just need to keep our shoulders against the bumper and keep pushing.
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Today I believe there is hope for our country.
Wish I could get a poster of this great political cartoon.
dragondrop on March 13, 2010 at 11:39 AM
They will if some teapartiers show up with this as their poster leading some LSM pundits to use it as Exhibit A for TPers as extremists.
The LSM fail to understand the graphic as Boss Tweed (stealing $200 mil for the Party back in his day) did by exclaiming, “‘Stop them damned pictures. I don’t care so much what the papers say about me. My constituents can’t read. But, damn it, they can see pictures!’”
AH_C on March 13, 2010 at 11:42 AM
I’ve previously called it the Obamacare Martyr’s Brigade.
It makes perfect sense.
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 11:08 AM
ted c: Heres a skit,to bolster your arguement,hehe!:)
========================================================
Monty Pythons,Life of Brian.
Crack Suicide Squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_12E1EN6fs&feature=PlayList&p=C80DC7B2EEFEFD82&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 11:44 AM
As opposed to Soylent Green? LOL. Same thing, different flavor.
AH_C on March 13, 2010 at 11:46 AM
If it makes it to the Drudge, they will see it. Unless that site is banned now.
OK. I just checked out the Drudge. They are making it hard for me to go to their site with the Nancy chick on there all the time.
Electrongod on March 13, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Ramirez boldly goes where no man has gone before.
yoda on March 13, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Cartoon is dead on.
milwife88 on March 13, 2010 at 11:56 AM
I choose this as my vote.
As others have said, I don’t think there’s any other image that would convey what is going on with the Dems with such…deadly…accuracy. And if the left wails over it? Tough toenails–they’re hypocrites for doing so after how they portrayed GWB, Sarah Palin and Reagan over the years.
theotherone on March 13, 2010 at 11:57 AM
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 11:44 AM
The Crack Suicide Squad!!
LOOL!!
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 12:08 PM
I love this cartoon, but if it were to be truly accurate it would have The Precedent as the suicide bomber, the useful idiot dems as the dynamite on the suicide belt, and the US as the mall The Precedent is looking to blow up. That is the true situation, to a tee.
neurosculptor on March 13, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Nothing is as over the top as what Congress is doing to pass this health care monstrosity. I thought reconciliation was bad enough, but at least it is an actual procedure, even if they will be misusing it.
The “Slaughter Solution” though…the bill is passed not because we voted to pass it but because we say it was passed…are you f’ing kidding me!?!?
kagai on March 13, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Heh. That’s a good one.
Hopefully this bomber will be driving a VW Polo.
29Victor on March 13, 2010 at 12:25 PM
I love it… It is so dead on! I hope the DemocRats wander the desert for 1000 years after this (forever if we actually have the civil war)
CCRWM on March 13, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Ramirez should get ready for an attack from PETA for “donkey abuse”….
Great cartoon!
Lockstein13 on March 13, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Ed – I think the toon is great – and your explanation of it completely unnecessary.
paul1149 on March 13, 2010 at 12:29 PM
ROTFLMAO
AH_C on March 13, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Fify, Ed
Schadenfreude on March 13, 2010 at 12:37 PM
We’re still a free country – Europe, note.
Ramirez is a national treasure.
Schadenfreude on March 13, 2010 at 12:38 PM
What do I think of this? Abso-freakin’-lutely awesome!
This one’s going in my permanent collection.
Splashman on March 13, 2010 at 12:47 PM
I think it’s a flawless political cartoon.
It not only depicts what is going on (sacrifice for a political goal that reaches religious intensity, but ultimately won’t deliver what the believer thinks it will), it will also make libtards apoplectic.
rockhead on March 13, 2010 at 12:48 PM
A PERFECT cartoon for the situation we are witnessing.
Sapwolf on March 13, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Ramirez boldly goes where no man has gone before.
yoda on March 13, 2010 at 11:55 AM
yoda: Good one yoda,how apt:)
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 12:59 PM
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 11:44 AM
The Crack Suicide Squad!!
LOOL!!
ted c on March 13, 2010 at 12:08 PM
tec c:)
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 1:00 PM
El crapo,sorry Ted!
Not tec,ugh!:)
canopfor on March 13, 2010 at 1:01 PM
If Ramirez did not mean to insinuate that Obama is a “secret Muslim,” then the cartoon doesn’t insinuate it either.
A poor interpretation on the reader’s part does not constitute guilt on the writer’s.
End of story.
dicentra63 on March 13, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Way Way LOL’ed!
Sapwolf on March 13, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Nope. Not gonna click. Please tell me he didn’t get-it-on with San Fran Nan.
Yoop on March 13, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Hi ted c! I remember very well and I was so appreciative of your encouraging words. I’m still depressed with the onslaught they throw at us every day, especially this health care bill that they are going to force on us. But I’ll hang in because I know every one feels the same, and I’m seeing some positive signs.
silvernana on March 13, 2010 at 1:04 PM
Jonestown was over thirty years ago.
But “drink the Kool-Aid” is fresh as a daisy. And it never hurts to reeducate the young, especially about the fact the Jonestown was an explicitly Leftist enterprise.
dicentra63 on March 13, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Actually I would like to thank the socalled conservatives who reportedly sat out the elections of 2006 and 2008 so that they could send a message. They had a lot more to do with this freak show running the country now than Rush Limbaugh or George Bush. In fact there is a certain kind of person on the right who has gone so far afield that they ended up left. That is why Ron Paul and Michael Moore have a lot of the same talking points.
But as for this cartoon, no, it did not go too far. The Democrats on a suicide mission. He could have used the imagery of the kamikaze flying into the US naval vessel. Same sort of though process.
Terrye on March 13, 2010 at 1:07 PM
I can’t believe I’m the first one to say, “A picture’s (in this case a cartoon’s) worth a thousand words”!
This image is elegantly brilliant in its simplicity.
And if the Dems don’t like it, well, that’s probably because the truth hurts….
TeresainFortWorth on March 13, 2010 at 1:08 PM
Democrats as suicide bombers is the most appropriate analogy. Not only are they going to kill themselves, they’re going to kill the American economy and eventually the United States of America itself.
lonesomecharlie on March 13, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Yoop, you’re safe….Start Trek intro.
yoda on March 13, 2010 at 1:11 PM
StartStaryoda on March 13, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Luvvvvvvvved it !
macncheez on March 13, 2010 at 1:24 PM
Knew that. Joking… read the highlights again. ;-)
Yoop on March 13, 2010 at 1:26 PM
Brill-f**king–iant.
The other understated message is, of course, that the American people created and empowered their own homocide executioners. The Democrats are simply doing what Democrats do. They cannot really be blamed for their pathological hatred of capitalism, their country, and their constitution. Michael Savage may be an idiot, but he nailed it: “Liberalism is a mental disorder.”
In their ignorance, laziness, and desire to expiate their white guilt, 52.7% of the American public invited the Democrats into their house with the suicide vest openly strapped around their bodies. Anyone who doubted that Pelosi, Reid and Obama would detonate is a fool.
For the 52.7%, I have no sympathy. Zero. You deserve whatever financial or physical pain you suffer for having subjected the rest of the country to your moral vanity, ignorance and vacuity. Your only salvation will be to rise up in revulsion in November 2010 and 2012. God willing there will be something left to save.
PD Quig on March 13, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Yoop – I’m a little slow this morning. ( :
I have to say, your comment would make a great cartoon.
yoda on March 13, 2010 at 1:48 PM
How can we respect him as the smartest man in the room if he doesn’t remind us from time to time.
Extrafishy on March 13, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Their Custer’s Last Stand?
Thier Dien Bien Phu?
Their Stalingrad?
MB4 on March 13, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Emperor Obamaito, Banzai!!!
MB4 on March 13, 2010 at 2:11 PM
Perfect. Ramirez slays it once again.
WarEagle01 on March 13, 2010 at 2:29 PM
NOTE TO THOSE OFFENDED BY THE POSSIBLE LINKAGE OF A SUICIDE BOMBER IMAGE TO OBAMA-IS-A-MUSLIM IMAGE:
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck!!!
landlines on March 13, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Considering that the Parent company of Townhall.com has purchased HOT AIR, it’s disconcerting that although Townhall has posted all of Ramirez’s cartoons to date, they haven’t posted this one (note: they MAY not have received permission for reprint. In which case, I’m off base and apologize for jumping to conclusions, but they usually reprint these cartoons immediately and I’ve only rarely seen a delay before they show up)
I’m surprised that Ed got this past them. Of course it’s early days for them and I would guess they haven’t established the advance notice rules for Ed and Allah. I’m guessing this post about this cartoon might hurry things along.
Nothing will be done, for now, about the posting, they’re not stupid and don’t want to make it too obvious, but I’ll bet Ed gets/got a call about this and in the future He’ll have to start deciding whether he pleases them and their “sensitivities” or keeps his editorial integrity. This is what happens when the bottom line becomes more important than editorial freedom. (Think DISNEY and all that they censor/ignore in the name of Brand purity.) There’s always some lawyer/nanny-thinking worrier who decides that ‘oooo that’s tooo controversial for US to print/comment on/expose/question. We don’t want the trouble it might cause.’
Of course when these rules go into effect, it will be hard to notice unless Ed or Allah say something. How can you tell when they decided NOT to post something? It’s more obvious in this case as the cartoons show up in various other places and they’re date stamped so one can tell if any in a series are missing.
Like this one is from Townhall.com.
jcw46 on March 13, 2010 at 3:30 PM
I can see the Left Wing’s Imans issuing their racist fahtaws already!
chickasaw42 on March 13, 2010 at 4:06 PM
Dumb cartoon.
Spathi on March 13, 2010 at 4:10 PM
Par for the course.
Although I’d say their efforts are going to be more like that of a sniper than a suicide bomber…a sniper with his own personal helicopter for extraction and who’s bribed everyone important to conveniently see nothing.
Only thing now is if they actually get to ‘take the shot’ with Obamcare, and who’s going to get nailed first if they do.
Dark-Star on March 13, 2010 at 4:15 PM
From what the left has depicted Bush, Cheney, Palin and well everyone on the Right side doing and to what this is great to play on the other side. Political Suicide for Obama with no virgins on the other side and not even promises of said virgins
tjexcite on March 13, 2010 at 4:29 PM
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