The image of Barrack Obama versus John Boehner appeared in The Et Cetera magazine of 13 December 2014. It was a cartoon aimed at communicating a contentious political subject. It shows an oversized head of both Obama and Boehner. The two pushing against a door from either side in order outdo each other show that there is a contest between them about a national matter. Hanging over the door is a sign that reads “Door to American Dream.” Access to the American Dream forms the point of view of the primary point of view of the subject matter being illustrated in the cartoon. Their rather large heads sitting on small bodies suggests that they both have a wealth of ideas that they wish to impose on one another. Also, the positioning of the two characters with President Obama on the left and John Boehner on the right symbolizes Democrat left-wing and Republican right-wing politics. The cartoon is about political power struggle, disagreement and the American Dream. The disagreement is about immigration. Hence, the narrative spoken or interpreted by the cartoon is that of political power struggle specifically on the issue of immigration.
The inclusion of the text “American Dream” seeks to answer the question whether immigrants to the US should be granted amnesty. Therefore, the location of the image is set in the United States. It shows the opposing views of both individuals as political leaders (Wences). Political power struggle is demonstrated by the contention between President Obama and John Boehner as they push against the door from either side with grimacing faces. The side view perfectly captures the frowns of the characters in the cartoon. However, it is the side view that is the most appropriate angle for the image as a frontal or aerial view would be too difficult to detect the message being passed. The sash that Obama dons in the cartoon and the tag that John Boehner has pinned to his suit breast pocket shows that Obama is superior to Boehner. The cartoon has been drawn in black and white to emphasize neutrality in order to avoid any racial connotations. The neutral matter being the issue if immigration and the cultural backgrounds of the two contenders.
Disagreement can be seen from the opposing political parties that the characters in the cartoon belong to. It is depicted by the grimacing faces and the pushing against the door. John Boehner is the Speaker of the House of Representatives and is a member of the Republican Party. Disagreement is where the emphasis of the cartoon image lies. It is the reason the facial expressions have been displayed so strongly so as to capture an observer’s initial impression of what exactly is being communicated. He opposes the immigration amnesty that President Obama, who is a Democrat, seeks to offer American immigrant families, especially parents that live with their children in America. Hence the label above the door that they are both pushing against marked “Door to American Dream.” President Obama wants immigrants to be allowed access to this dream while Boehner wants stringent measures to be put in place before immigrants can access the American dream.
Disagreement is evident where the Republican Party (Boehner) stands for the immigration laws and immigration restructuring that addresses the needs of national security. Republicans have always been at odds on the extent to which immigration legislation should be stiffened (Ong 1). However, Boehner and his allies in the Republican party believe that “a structure needs to be in place so as to make sure that immigrants that penetrate United States borders unlawfully are not accorded similar benefits as those of rightful citizens.” They believe in cordially welcoming people that enter the country legally while committing additional resources to deter those that attempt to enter through illegal methods. They want to keep track of people that enter and leave the United States and believe that amnesty towards immigrants who have flouted immigration rules will encourage illegal immigration into the United States. Boehner agrees that the number of foreign immigrants traveling to the United States has developed the country, but he also insists that they enter legally. Legal immigration is necessary for the safety of the American population (Republican Views par 3-5).
“The Republican faction firmly believes that giving amnesty to illegal immigrants will encourage further illegal immigration. They want harsher consequences for illegal aliens and the people who smuggle them into the United States as well as those who create counterfeit documents to prolong their stay in the United States. The penalties would also extend to employers who intentionally hire illegal immigrants.” They uphold the right of border guard personnel to deport illegal immigrants without allowing them a hearing before a judge (Republican Views par 3-6). Tension in the cartoon is summarized by the intent of the right wing due to the possibilities of deportation or arrest of immigrants, as well as the political tension between Boehner and Obama.
The third element demonstrated in the cartoon, which is the American Dream, is shown by the American flag draped over the door. The words “Door to American Dream” form the allusion of the cartoon which stands for access to America, which is acquired through immigration. It states the matter of disagreement without being too overt about the issue of immigration. It states the subject matter of the disagreement It covers both Obama’s and Boehner’s side of the door. It is symbolic: Boehner is trying to protect the American Dream, while Obama is trying to share it. “Immigrants flock America to have a piece of the American dream as it is the world’s economic and social super power.” America provides plenty opportunities for employment, education and business. For that reason, people from all over the world try to get into America and some do it illegally.
“President Obama fought for the DREAM Act, which is legislation guaranteeing that young people that wish to contribute to the American society and serve the country are granted legal residency and citizenship. Despite the fact that the bill has had a history of bipartisan support, the Republican Party chose to use it as political bait as opposed to doing the right thing.” It led to President Obama providing a short-term reprieve for the young people who came to the United States while they were still children (Republican Views par 1-5).
The cartoon summarizes the issues of political power struggle, disagreement and the American Dream. Both sides agree on one thing: immigrants should be in the United States legally. It is the nitty-gritty of the legality that presents a challenge. Nonetheless, the right-wing is aware of the right thing to do but seeks to affirm its political power by politicizing the immigration matter.
- Gass, Nick 2015, “Obama attacks Boehner on immigration reform.” Web. April 2015. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/barack-obama-john-boehner-immigration-reform-115528.html
- Hing, Bill Ong. Defining America: Through Immigration Policy. Temple University Press, 2012.
- Republican Views 2014, “Democratic Party on Immigration .” Web. April 2015. http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/democratic_party_immigration.htm
- Republican Views 2014, “Republican Views on Immigration.” Web. 27 April 2015. http://www.republicanviews.org/republican-views-on-immigration/
- Wences, Jonathan 2014, “President Correct to Act on Immigration.” Web. 27 April 2015. https://www.dropbox.com/s/g7avn92485jqg13/Obama%20and%20Boehner%20Graphic%20Picture.jpg?dl=0
