Editorial Cartoon: The Generosity of Warren Buffet

Today’s editorial cartoon was inspired by a blog post from Jeff Jena that blasted Billionaire Warren Buffet for his pittance of a challenge to Republicans in Congress.   Now on one hand, I agree with Buffet that certain tax shelters need to be right sized.  CEOs who take little salary yet rake in stock options because Capital Gains are charged at a lower rate than income.    In the late 80′s and 90′s that rate was closer to 30% and now it is somewhere around 15% so there is precedent for a higher rate.  And we are familiar with the notion that Buffet paid less as a percent of income in taxes than his secretary.  Maybe Warren should start paying her in stock instead.

A Republican pushed through the Buffet Rule Act that gives individuals an option on the tax form allowing them to give more to the IRS to lower the national debt.   Buffet responded saying he would match any Congressional Republican’s donations to the debt dollar for dollar.  While it can be looked at as a “put your money where your mouth is” bet, it is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP on his part.

Based on recent data, Buffet’s net worth is somewhere around $50 billion and the entirety of Congress is around $2 Billions (well overpaid but still 25x less than Buffet).  Let’s put that in perspective you and I could understand.  It would be the same as someone earning $100,000 a year (Person A) saying he would match dollar for dollar in donations that someone earning just $4,000 (Person B) did.  Let’s say they each donate $1000.   That is only 1% of Person A’s income while it is 25% of Person B’s.  $1000 to Person A is nothing so even if all the Republican’s in Congress donated 100% of their yearly income, it wouldn’t even put the slightest dent in Warren’s pocketbook.

 

Editorial Cartoon: California Winds and Herman Cain

So the winner’s of the Editorial Cartoon Caption Contest are Bo Lumpkin and Scott (Jynksie) Jenkins. Pairing up the devastating wind storms in California with the demise of Herman Cain’s campaign was both funny and timely.

Gentlemen, your prize is a tshirt of the design of your choice from WackSack.com.  So go pick your design and email me your shirt size and address.

For the losers, you can still get to visit WackSack and drool over the prize you didn’t win.

Editorial Cartoon: United Nations Declares Broadband Basic Human Right

Today’s editorial cartoon was inspired by our friends at the United Nations who last week declared that Broadband internet access is now included in the list of Basic Human Rights. Yes right up there with food, shelter, clean water and healthcare is the right to spank your monkey watching full speed downloads of porn videos. OK maybe you have more lofty goals like coordinating protests ala the Arab Spring over the web.

But seriously, Broadband?? My in-laws still use dial up and are just fine.  Agree or disagree?  Any other “basic” rights you would add to the U.N. list?

Nominate Me (or our friends) for Best Webcomic

The Washington Post is having a contest for the Best Webcomics for 2011.  Feel free to nominate me over and over (or just once) by commenting at the link or even easier, sending an email to comicriffs@washpost.com

Editorial Cartoon: Why Occupy Wall Street People are Rightfully Pissed

This editorial cartoon is for my Occupy Wall Street friends.  I am sure I will piss you off with a future cartoon but for now, I wanted to show my solidarity for one reason people should be rightfully pissed.  Companies talk about teamwork and performance, etc etc etc.  But damned if the executives can’t find a way (read excuse) to make sure their bonuses are intact while the rest of us have to do more with less.

Of course this isn’t a blanket statement for all executives or companies.  So, any examples in your own companies where executives seem to get perks that are continually denied to the rest?

Oh yeah, 3 panels and 9 people in this one.  You are welcome all you people who think I should spend 3 hours doing one cartoon.

Next Page »