branding – mackaycartoons

Saturday November 9 2024

November 9, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 9 2024

The Trump-Poilievre Paradox – Rhetoric vs. Reality in Canadian Conservatism

September 20, 2024

Comparing Pierre Poilievre to Donald Trump has become a favoured theme in Canadian political discourse. For partisan critics, it’s an easy play: conjuring images of Trump evokes associations with divisive rhetoric, populist slogans, and even authoritarian tendencies. But Poilievre, despite a shared knack for populist sloganeering and a confrontational style, remains distinct from Trump in meaningful ways. With Trump’s recent victory drawing renewed scrutiny to his influence on conservative politics worldwide, the question looms: how close will Poilievre align with Trump’s policies, and where will he resist?

Both leaders have indeed tapped into a deep well of frustration among working-class voters. Trump, with his “Make America Great Again” mantra, speaks to a nostalgic longing for a time when American manufacturing and middle-class prosperity seemed more attainable. Poilievre’s echo of this approach, encapsulated in the phrase “Axe the Tax,” is a rallying cry for Canadians feeling the pinch of inflation, rising housing costs, and stagnant wages. Poilievre has also sharpened his rhetoric with personal barbs — branding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Just-inflation” and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh as “Sell-out Singh” — signalling a shift in tone not typically associated with Canadian conservatism.

Essay: Canada’s polite Trumpism

September 4, 2024

Yet for all the parallels in style, there are substantial policy distinctions between the two. Trump’s appeal to his base has often been accompanied by polarizing stances, such as his hardline approach to immigration and his embrace of protectionist trade policies. These policies tapped into a strand of nationalism and nativism that has, so far, found limited resonance in Canada’s broader political landscape. Poilievre, on the other hand, has focused his populist appeal more narrowly on economic issues, particularly around affordability and cost of living. His promises to repeal the carbon tax and address the housing crisis are aimed at the specific economic anxieties of Canadians, rather than broader cultural divisions.

Poilievre’s support of the working-class “freedom” movement, especially during the trucker convoy protests, may be as close as he gets to the culture war themes that underpin much of Trump’s base. While Poilievre openly criticized Trudeau’s handling of the protest, siding with workers who felt ignored by Ottawa, he has been cautious not to echo Trump’s more overt attacks on institutions like the media or judiciary. This restraint signals a departure from Trump’s relentless strategy of painting himself as a political outsider fighting a “deep state” that seeks to undermine him. Instead, Poilievre has framed himself as a necessary disruptor within the bounds of Canada’s parliamentary norms.

Opinion: No, Pierre Poilievre is not Donald Trump

November 9, 2023

The challenge for Poilievre now is to balance his populist, anti-elite appeal with a more inclusive vision for a diverse Canada. He has made overtures to immigrant communities, refraining from nativist rhetoric and positioning himself as a champion for those who feel “left behind” by Liberal policies. Yet critics argue that his anti-tax, pro-business policies may ultimately benefit the wealthy more than the working-class Canadians he’s courting. Poilievre, like Trump, risks alienating moderate voters if his slogans feel like hollow gestures to those seeking real solutions.

In navigating this path, Poilievre may ultimately use Trump’s example as a cautionary tale rather than a roadmap. Trump’s second victory, driven by working-class disillusionment, reminds conservatives worldwide of the power of populist rhetoric. But in a country as diverse as Canada, with a political culture less prone to polarization, a hardline Trumpian approach is likely a losing formula. Poilievre’s brand of conservatism may flirt with some of Trump’s tactics, but his policy choices suggest a more tempered form of populism that resists Trump’s most divisive instincts.

Opinion: Trump won the working-class vote and Poilievre’s Conservatives are well on the way to doing just that too

September 9, 2023

While Canada’s political landscape evolves, Poilievre faces a choice: adopt a broad, solutions-oriented populism, or lean further into the fiery style that Trump has perfected south of the border. For now, he seems intent on cherry-picking Trump’s rhetorical strategies, without adopting policies that would alienate the moderates who hold the balance of power in Canadian elections. Whether this will resonate with Canadian voters — or eventually backfire — will shape the future of Canada’s Conservative Party and its place in the country’s political spectrum.

For a Deep Dive into what this cartoon represents along with the other cartoons drawn in the past week and the earlier years of Trump have a listen to this convincing, though admittedly overly fawning podcast featuring two robot humans.

For a written piece, head on over to “The Graeme Gallery” at SubStack, and if you haven’t already done so, please subscribe!

Post Election Blues

When the Elephant Stirs: When they go red, we go blue

Wednesday December 21, 2022

December 21, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday December 21, 2022

Impeachments, Criminal Referrals, and Trading Cards

The criminal referral of Donald Trump to the Department of Justice by a House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack is largely symbolic – the panel itself has no power to prosecute any individual.

February 11, 2021

Nonetheless, the recommendation that Trump be investigated for four potential crimes – obstructing an official proceeding; conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to make a false statement; and inciting, assisting or aiding or comforting an insurrection – raises the prospect of an indictment, or even a conviction, of the former president.

It also poses serious ethical questions, given that Trump has already announced a 2024 run for the presidency, especially in regards to the referral over his alleged inciting or assisting an insurrection. Indeed, a Department of Justice investigation over Trump’s activities during the insurrection is already under way.

But would an indictment – or even a felony conviction – prevent a presidential candidate from running or serving in office?

The short answer is no. Here’s why:

The U.S. Constitution specifies in clear language the qualifications required to hold the office of the presidency. In Section 1, Clause 5 of Article II, it states: “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.”

These three requirements – natural-born citizenship, age and residency – are the only specifications set forth in the United States’ founding document.

January 8, 2021

But in case of insurrection, the Constitution includes no qualification regarding those conditions – with one significant exception. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment disqualifies any person from holding federal office “who, having previously taken an oath … to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

The reason why this matters is the Department of Justice is currently investigating Trump for his activities related to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. And one of the four criminal referrals made by the Jan. 6 House committee was over Trump’s alleged role in inciting, assisting or aiding and comforting an insurrection.

Even in the case of conviction and incarceration, a presidential candidate would not be prevented from continuing their campaign – even if, as a felon, they might not be able to vote for themselves.

History is dotted with instances of candidates for federal office running – and even being elected – while in prison. As early as 1798 – some 79 years before the 14th Amendment – House member Matthew Lyon was elected to Congress from a prison cell, where he was serving a sentence for sedition for speaking out against the Federalist Adams administration.

Eugene Debs, founder of the Socialist Party of America, ran for president in 1920 while serving a prison sentence for sedition. Although he lost the election, he nevertheless won 913,693 votes. Debs promised to pardon himself if he were elected.

And controversial politician and conspiracy theorist Lyndon Larouche also ran for president from a jail cell in 1992. (The Conversation)

Friday April 12, 2019

April 19, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 12, 2019

Ontario tightens purse strings, PCs don’t plan to balance books until 2023-24

May 17, 2018

Ontario’s books won’t be balanced within the Progressive Conservatives’ mandate, but the government’s first budget serves up an era of gradual belt-tightening with a side of booze.

The Tories peg the current deficit at $11.7 billion, and they don’t expect to eliminate the red ink until 2023-24. Drastic and widespread cuts that many had feared did not materialize in this budget, but the path to balance shows that much of the heavy lifting comes at the halfway mark to the next election, and after it.

March 27, 2009

The budget constrains spending growth – and shows cuts in post-secondary and social services – but is still nearly $5 billion larger than the last budget from the previous Liberal government, who the Progressive Conservatives often slam for their spending habits.

“We have developed a reasonable path to balance,” Finance Minister Vic Fedeli said. “Our path to balance in five years is a thoughtful and a measured approach to take … Our entire premise is to protect what matters most.”

The budget contains no new taxes. In addition to tackling the deficit, the government is also taking aim at the net debt – currently pegged at $343 billion – through ensuring surpluses and unused reserve or contingency funds go to paying it down.

March 20, 2004

As well, planned legislation would require the government to develop a debt burden reduction strategy, and make the premier and finance minister pay 10 per cent of their salaries for each missed reporting deadline for documents such as the budget and quarterly economic accounts. (Source: Global News)

Tuesday March 5, 2019

March 12, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 5, 2019

Jane Philpott resigns from cabinet, citing loss of ‘confidence’ over government’s handling of SNC-Lavalin

February 9, 2019

Jane Philpott, one of Justin Trudeau’s most trusted ministers, announced today she has resigned from cabinet as the Liberal government’s crisis over the SNC-Lavalin affair deepens.

“I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities and constitutional obligations,” she said in a written statement.

“There can be a cost to acting on one’s principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them.”

Trudeau later praised Philpott for her diligent work on crucial government files.

Philpott, the MP for Markham-Stouffville, said she has been considering the events that have shaken the federal government in recent weeks and, after “serious reflection,” concluded she must quit.

She said the constitutional convention of cabinet solidarity means ministers are expected to defend all cabinet decisions and other ministers publicly, and must speak in support of the government and its policies.

August 20, 2016

“Given this convention and the current circumstances, it is untenable for me to continue to serve as a cabinet minister,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately, the evidence of efforts by politicians and/or officials to pressure the former attorney general to intervene in the criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin, and the evidence as to the content of those efforts, have raised serious concerns for me. Those concerns have been augmented by the views expressed by my constituents and other Canadians.”

Andrew Scheer Gallery

Philpott is a close ally of Jody Wilson-Raybould, the former justice minister and attorney general at the centre of the SNC-Lavalin scandal. Wilson-Raybould testified before a Commons committee last week that 11 officials in the Prime Minister’s Office and other offices inappropriately pressured her to override a decision to prosecute SNC-Lavalin on bribery charges related to contracts in Libya. (Source: CBC News)

Hearing from the Lawyers

May 13, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Through my website I offer for sale some of my cartoons on a variety of products from t-shirts to coffee cups. It’s mainly a means to get my work out beyond the newspapers and put a few coins in my pocket. To do this I use the company Redbubble.com to manufacture and send out the swag. All I have to do is upload images, adjust how they’ll appear, and add relevant descriptions and keywords. Every month, I get a tiny royalty knowing which images sold, on what products, and on which continent.

It’s all quite fun until work is removed due to a charge of violating Redbubble’s IP/Publicity Rights Policy. Which happened to me when the Content Team sent the following email informing me of a complaint received by WN Music Company, LLC, regarding my caricature of Willie Nelson:

It’s a form letter so I’m not sure if the violation is using the lyric “Always on my mind”, or merely capitalizing on the Willie Nelson brand. Whatever the case I sense a mixture of emotions ranging from feeling like a criminal for looting Willie Nelson’s stash and besmirching his reputation, to being oppressed by big Music for freely expressing my admiration for a legend in a whimsical little doodle.

After a bit of reflection the position I find myself feeling is somewhere in the middle. As a cartoonist, I’ve had my own experience of others taking my work and repurposing it for their own benefit. I’m assuming the lawyers don’t like my use of the lyric, and the image was just the kicker in its eradication from the Redbubble site. The same sort of thing happened to another swag creator when lawyers for Taylor Swift sent a cease and desist letter for using her song lyrics on a coffee cup

The legal department at Redbubble.com must deal with a horrendous amount of copyright infringement complaints and a casual look through will find blatant rip offs of other artists and brands. It’s impossible for Redbubble to properly regulate until complaints are filed, and when they are it’s way easier for them to remove the offending item and not get involved in the legal wrangling that might ensue between the two parties.

While the free speech/expresionist instinct kicked in and I thought about removing the lyric and reposting the caricature as “Nillie Welson”, it’s not a sword I’m willing to fall on. It’s one thing to use the caricature of public personality in an editorial cartoon printed in a newspaper, and quite another to make money on that personality’s image.

Victory for the Willie Nelson brand, I suppose, and I’ll still enjoy his music.