In Trumpland, the only way for him to win is for someone else to lose… biggly. In the real world, though, it’s not just possible but preferable to arrange for everybody to come out ahead of where they started. This is called “win – win” or “positive sum game” or “making the customer happy” etc. We used to elect legislators who understood this concept. I don’t really understand how that stopped happening.
Hummm … when one wants to build anything the bigger problem is following all the rules and regulations created by non-elected government types . Croc Power !
The Gravina Island Bridge, commonly referred to as the “Bridge to Nowhere”, was a proposed bridge to replace the ferry that currently connects the town of Ketchikan, Alaska, United States, with Gravina Island, an island that contains the Ketchikan International Airport as well as 50 residents.Construction cost: Estimated budget of $398 MILLIONConstruction start: Never constructed
I seem to remember Trump saying during the campaign he would have a trillion dollar infrastructure plan. Turns out, the trillion went in tax cuts for the 1%. Because, priorities.
The populist critique of representative democracy, which is why there is a danger of a populist movement devolving to dictatorship to “get things done”.
Yeah, sure but what if one party only puts forth one bill only aka The Great Tax Heist, then puts forth, ‘hey they all do it claim’ then America gets stuck with endless wars, no health care, environment pollution, theft of public lands, theft of public funds yada, yada, yada.
The reality of it all! Ridiculous! There should be an independent court elected by the people with no party affiliation, to turn to in the county from which these matters arise.
The the old Disney cartoon Musicland comes to mind, but of course the ending was a perfect fantasy that never happens in real life. Youtube it for a real treat.
Ten years of this BS and still no end in sight. With Moscow Mitch at the helm no governing will get done. He’s already showing political ads on TV and on-line stating he won’t allow tRump to lose his job even though the facts have not been fully investigated and the senate has not yet had a trial. Impeach Mitch for taking Chinese bribes through his wife and let’s get back to making deals to govern and rebuild our infrastructure.
we don’t trust the government to do things well and right, but we want the government to provide us with food, shelter and healthcare and education. Lets look at what they already are supposed to be providing us with…………just saying.
I think both parties are secretly working together to pit the people against each other so they wouldn’t notice the lack of work and whatever illegal activities the politicians are doing.
No, No, No, you are not thinking like a government contractor. You propose that BOTH bills pass and you build TWO bridges. You make a boatload of money, both congressmen have successful bills, everybody is happy.
The funniest thing about this is that the comic shows exactly how both sides are corrupt and then you go to the comments and STILL have some people saying things about the “other” side.
The scary and sad thing is… this is how it really works. Or… doesn’t work. And if they do happen to agree on something, you can be assured there is mutually beneficial big-bucks involved. “The only thing worse than government is none at all.” And I’m starting to question that concept. ; )
Imagine you are a member of the House of Representatives. Now imagine you are a lying total Idiot just wanting to make your relatives (sons & daughters) rich. But, I am repeating myself.
Simpsons did it. Season 6, episode 14 “Bart’s Comet”. Bart sees a comet headed for Springfield. The government shoots a missile to destroy the comet which takes out Springfield’s lone bridge out of town. Congress meets replace the bridge and tries to vote itself a pay increase instead. Kent Brockman’s reaction: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Democracy just doesn’t work.” BTW, saying “Simpsons did it” – South Park did it.
BE THIS GUY over 5 years ago
Get a bridge builder to bribe both of them and the bridge will be built.
DanielRyanMulligan over 5 years ago
gives a whole new meaning to the phrase"burning bridges"
Rod Gonzalez over 5 years ago
Rat sucks.
Packratjohn Premium Member over 5 years ago
Yeah, this would never happen in real life…
Jesy Bertz Premium Member over 5 years ago
Remember President Clinton’s second term pledge to “Build a Bridge to the 21st Century”?
Yeah, that is just about what happened and it has only gotten worse since.
kaffekup over 5 years ago
So, just how do you plan to pay for this socialist “bridge”, anyway?
Would you rather take it out of Medicare or Social Security?
wiatr over 5 years ago
That explains politics in my state.
Concretionist over 5 years ago
In Trumpland, the only way for him to win is for someone else to lose… biggly. In the real world, though, it’s not just possible but preferable to arrange for everybody to come out ahead of where they started. This is called “win – win” or “positive sum game” or “making the customer happy” etc. We used to elect legislators who understood this concept. I don’t really understand how that stopped happening.
Randallw over 5 years ago
At first I thought “bill” meant how much a new bridge would cost. Anyone else?
gbars70 over 5 years ago
That’s a bridge too far…
SmallMeadow over 5 years ago
No bridge builders left in either party.
Breadboard over 5 years ago
Hummm … when one wants to build anything the bigger problem is following all the rules and regulations created by non-elected government types . Croc Power !
Bilan over 5 years ago
If only we could get the politicians to jump.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 5 years ago
The Gravina Island Bridge, commonly referred to as the “Bridge to Nowhere”, was a proposed bridge to replace the ferry that currently connects the town of Ketchikan, Alaska, United States, with Gravina Island, an island that contains the Ketchikan International Airport as well as 50 residents.Construction cost: Estimated budget of $398 MILLIONConstruction start: Never constructed
burgarman over 5 years ago
shouldn’t the next to last panel be “We lose” or at least “We win?”
WaitingMan over 5 years ago
I seem to remember Trump saying during the campaign he would have a trillion dollar infrastructure plan. Turns out, the trillion went in tax cuts for the 1%. Because, priorities.
Masterskrain over 5 years ago
This is the ENTIRE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM explained in ONE GENIUS CARTOON!!!!!
Thank you, Stephan Pastis…and you too, Rat!
wrd2255 over 5 years ago
I like and follow your material. But this perpetuates a false equivalency that doesn’t apply now, and discourages people from participating (voting).
mjb515 over 5 years ago
The populist critique of representative democracy, which is why there is a danger of a populist movement devolving to dictatorship to “get things done”.
jessie d. over 5 years ago
Yeah, sure but what if one party only puts forth one bill only aka The Great Tax Heist, then puts forth, ‘hey they all do it claim’ then America gets stuck with endless wars, no health care, environment pollution, theft of public lands, theft of public funds yada, yada, yada.
gnome over 5 years ago
…when Pearls accurately depicts reality….it’s scary…good job Steve.
gawaintheknight over 5 years ago
This isn’t right – Republicans don’t believe in infrastructure spending. They’re not interested in bridges.
asmbeers over 5 years ago
Or be like Mississippi rather than Louisiana and just roll up your sleeves and begin the rebuild on your own time and dollar.
jimchronister2016 over 5 years ago
The reality of it all! Ridiculous! There should be an independent court elected by the people with no party affiliation, to turn to in the county from which these matters arise.
jessegooddog over 5 years ago
The the old Disney cartoon Musicland comes to mind, but of course the ending was a perfect fantasy that never happens in real life. Youtube it for a real treat.
Radish... over 5 years ago
I love Infrastructure Week!
Ignatz Premium Member over 5 years ago
We can’t build a new bridge. Some billionaire might lose his almighty tax cut.
NRHAWK Premium Member over 5 years ago
Ten years of this BS and still no end in sight. With Moscow Mitch at the helm no governing will get done. He’s already showing political ads on TV and on-line stating he won’t allow tRump to lose his job even though the facts have not been fully investigated and the senate has not yet had a trial. Impeach Mitch for taking Chinese bribes through his wife and let’s get back to making deals to govern and rebuild our infrastructure.
Zebrastripes over 5 years ago
It’s sad to think the deflecting and red tape it takes to get an insane president out of the WH. In UK, 2 weeks to do the same thing….pathetic
Oge over 5 years ago
Just tack the bridge funding onto a bill the other party supports. That’s how it worked in the good old days…pork barrel politics.
car2ner over 5 years ago
we don’t trust the government to do things well and right, but we want the government to provide us with food, shelter and healthcare and education. Lets look at what they already are supposed to be providing us with…………just saying.
david_42 over 5 years ago
Interesting, I see no road or even a path on either side of the gap. Are we in Alaska?
tripwire45 over 5 years ago
That’s the way it is now.
Andrew Sleeth over 5 years ago
All animals are equal. But sum zero game animals are more equal than others.
ShadowBeast Premium Member over 5 years ago
I think both parties are secretly working together to pit the people against each other so they wouldn’t notice the lack of work and whatever illegal activities the politicians are doing.
Ellis97 over 5 years ago
Everybody wins.
Bruce1253 over 5 years ago
No, No, No, you are not thinking like a government contractor. You propose that BOTH bills pass and you build TWO bridges. You make a boatload of money, both congressmen have successful bills, everybody is happy.
Cameron1988 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Pig always cracks me up in the last panel XD
smorbie the great and beautiful over 5 years ago
I really wish that weren’t true.
And So It Goes over 5 years ago
I’d add my two cents to this conversion, unfortunately I don’t have it to spare.
zeexenon over 5 years ago
The next motion is for Border Security.
whoa over 5 years ago
who will pay for the bridge? mexico, mexicowhat a putz we have for a president
Lb over 5 years ago
The funniest thing about this is that the comic shows exactly how both sides are corrupt and then you go to the comments and STILL have some people saying things about the “other” side.
lordhoff over 5 years ago
Private bridge with toll (+1000% for politicians)?
Radish... over 5 years ago
People talk and talk, so make your way down the block…
bunrabbit99 over 5 years ago
“Don’t jump! We’re all weiners!”
jonesbeltone over 5 years ago
This is so sad-and true.
Sisyphos over 5 years ago
If “everyone loves a winner,” Pig why does this ’toon leave such a bitter aftertaste?
We’re all losers. Charlie Browns. Eeyores. Sniff.
Sisyphos over 5 years ago
If “everyone loves a winner,” Pig, why does this ’toon leave such a bitter aftertaste?
We’re all losers. Charlie Browns. Eeyores. Sniff.
ChristopherHeckman over 5 years ago
Your government at “work”.
Snoots over 5 years ago
The scary and sad thing is… this is how it really works. Or… doesn’t work. And if they do happen to agree on something, you can be assured there is mutually beneficial big-bucks involved. “The only thing worse than government is none at all.” And I’m starting to question that concept. ; )
KevDoneIt over 5 years ago
Imagine you are a member of the House of Representatives. Now imagine you are a lying total Idiot just wanting to make your relatives (sons & daughters) rich. But, I am repeating myself.
Bob666 over 5 years ago
Pastis, you’re getting too good at this.
DanMercer over 5 years ago
Simpsons did it. Season 6, episode 14 “Bart’s Comet”. Bart sees a comet headed for Springfield. The government shoots a missile to destroy the comet which takes out Springfield’s lone bridge out of town. Congress meets replace the bridge and tries to vote itself a pay increase instead. Kent Brockman’s reaction: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Democracy just doesn’t work.” BTW, saying “Simpsons did it” – South Park did it.