---
title: This Is Better Than Political Promises
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/berryman-better-than-political-promises-1952/
description: A farmer labelled by his mailbox 'U.S. Farmer' stands in a downpour, palm out, saying 'This is better than political promises.... ..right now!'.
section: Collection
---

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3. This Is Better Than Political Promises

[![This Is Better Than Political Promises, 1952 US cartoon: A farmer labelled by his mailbox 'U.S. Farmer' stands in a downpour](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/berryman-better-than-political-promises-1952.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/berryman-better-than-political-promises-1952.jpg)

# This Is Better Than Political Promises

A farmer labelled by his mailbox 'U.S. Farmer' stands in a downpour, palm out, saying 'This is better than political promises.... ..right now!', while a newspaper in the mailbox reads 'Both candidates avow interest in farmers' problems'. The cartoon argues that campaign pledges to farmers are less valued than rain; the tag glittering-generalities is a weak fit, as the headline's avowals are the broad promises referred to.

## Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

[Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
THIS IS BETTER
THAN POLITICAL
PROMISES....
..RIGHT NOW!
U.S.
FARMER
BOTH CANDIDATES
AVOW INTEREST IN
FARMERS' PROBLEMS
Jim Berryman
```

[← Guard Your Freedom (Ilocano poster)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/guard-your-freedom-ilocano-1952/) [Untitled \[Give 'em H---! technique\] →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/us-berryman-untitled-give-em-hell-technique-1952/)

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- [Gypsum alabaster slab inscribed in cuneiform, from Nimrud (Kalhu), reign of Ashurnasirpal II](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/nimrud-slab-ashurnasirpal-ii-inscription-883bce/) (Neo Assyrian Empire · 0000 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Colour lithograph of the Latin text of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti on the wall of the temple of Roma and Augustus at Ancyra, with the heading in large letters (Perrot, Guillaume and Delbet, 1872)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/lithograph-res-gestae-ancyra-heading-0014/) (Roman Empire · 0014 · Card stacking, Glittering generalities)
- [Bronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-trajan-optimo-principi-0103/) (Roman Empire · 0103 · Testimonial, Glittering generalities)
- [Gold solidus of Constantine I, reverse RESTITVTORI LIBERTATIS](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-constantine-i-restitutori-libertatis-0313/) (Roman Empire · 0313 · Glittering generalities)
- [Gold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-justinian-i-victoria-avggg-0538/) (Byzantine Empire · 0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (Royal Museums Greenwich version), oil on panel](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/armada-portrait-elizabeth-i-greenwich-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Medal of Elizabeth I: portrait in a ruff, reverse an ark on stormy waves with SAEVAS TRANQVILLA PER VNDAS (18th-century aftercast of a 1588 model)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/elizabeth-i-ark-medal-aftercast-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
