For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for October 25, 2017

Not your usual For Better or For Worse comic strip and here is the reason why:

October 25, 1988 – Cartoonists to focus on homeless WASHINGTON (AP) – The tragedy of homelessness will be featured in graphic style in the, nation’s newspapers today as more than 100 cartoonists dedicate their work to that national problem. Both comic-strip and editorial cartoonists are joining the effort, including some of the best-known panels and strips, said Barry Zigas of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “The goal of the project is to tug at America’s heartstrings through its funny bones. Tomorrow’s funny pages are not going to be so funny,” said Zigas at a news conference announcing the project. Similar news conferences were scheduled in 22 other cities across the nation in an effort to focus attention on hunger and homelessness, Zigas said. “Hunger and homelessness are not partisan issues, they are human tragedies that deserve our immediate attention,” he said. “There is a shameful level of hunger in the United States, although it is not as visible as homelessness,” added Robert Fersh of the Food Research Action Center. Cartoonists taking part include Garry Trudeau, author of “Doones-bury;” “Garfield” creator Jim Davis; Mell Lazarus, who draws "Momma;’’ Dik Browne, creator of “Hagar the Horrible;” “Wizard of Id” artist Johnny Hart; Doug Mar-lette, who draws “Kudzu;” Tom Batiuk, developer of “Crankshaft,” and many others. Editorial cartoonists participating include Paul Conrad of the Los Angeles Times; Jeff Danziger, Christian Science Monitor; Doug Marlette, Atlanta Constitution; Bill Schorr, Kansas City Star; Tom Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle; Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer; Mike Luckovich, New Orleans Times-Picayune, and Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News.

The one on the right looks like John. A foreshadowing, perhaps?

Within 2-3 miles of Google’s expensive headquarters, there are hundreds of homeless in town. Many got that way because good jobs left the area and rents skyrocketed into the sky, like $1000/mo just to rent a bedroom in someone’s home, or $2500 for a 1 bedrm apartment. Really a shame.

Every circumstance is different. There are shelters in my town. Warm beds and meals. Some chose not to use them because they don’t like rules. Others mental illnesses present barriers that prevent them from getting help. Every case should be considered on an individual basis.

First world problems. BTW, why does Lynn always misspell “stupid”? I don’t get it.

I guess this is the “For Worse”part.

I get the comic and I appreciate the effort, but it felt so out of place. Wouldn’t it have been better if Lynn had done a one panel with the whole family volunteering?

Slow ClapThank you for bringing to light the problems of us homeless people.

The strip was relevant when first written and, unfortunately, is even more relevant today.

Lynn Johnston is making a strong statement. Did she practice what she preached with this, living in a simple home and donating the profits from her strip to combat poverty and eradicate homelessness?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

With the U.S. government hell-bent on slashing social benefits for those in need, in order to pad the pockets of the chosen few, I fear that there will be a LOT MORE homeless and hopeless folks in the coming year.

Now it would be only the rich dentists who have all those extras the kids are drooling over, not the regular working families.

I’m not sure an indoor pool is the way to go. The chlorine smell would be bad in the room. Plus, the humidity equals mold. The pool would take a bit of caring for, too. Most towns have an indoor public pool. Usually not free, of course, but can be used. Schools, colleges, YMCA’s. I celebrated many of my young son’s birthday parties at a college pool in a near by town. The boy’s friends always loved the idea.

CLUBGEO2001 shows us that, no matter how ‘bad’ the situation depicted in the cartoon is, the real-life commentators have it even worse! It depends on viewpoint, of course – the totally delusional viewpoint of CLUB, or the dismal viewpoint of the rest of us who have to put up with CLUB and his totally off-the-wall erroneous ravings!

Obama wasn’t President when this comic was drawn. Sheese!

Life is not fair and never will be. If your bank account goes inactive for a certain length of time, it reverts to the state. (Does not apply to loans, however) If you are married, the tax refund must be endorsed by both persons. (But if you owe them, only one signature is required) In certain states, if a couple live together long enough [often a year] they are considered legally married. (But no length of “involuntary celebicy” allows one to walk away. You don’t pay rent if you “own” your home? (What about property taxes?) Often success/failure is determined simply by RP-RT (Right place – right time) ie we live in a time that one can rack up an enormous college debt for a position that technology has obsoleted in those four years!

I cried because I had no shoes, until I meant a man who had no feet.

Show this strip and story, and tell it, to those who have six-figure incomes and net worth and complain about their taxes and the regulations that make it oh-so-hard for them. They are most often the ones who tell lower-income people to “count your blessings.” Let the rich ones practice what they preach.

It is the ones with 7 figures that are reaping the most wealth that should go to all of us.