Richie Rich and Dollar Dog #12: Special Guest Post

I've been busy this week but rather than skip a post I turned the blog over to a subject matter expert. However, after reading his work I felt compelled to make a few editor's notes.  So without further ado, I present to you Richie Rich and Dollar Dog #12 as reviewed by Karl Heinrich Marx. -Jimmy Olsen

Because of my work in the fields of economics and capital, I have been tasked in reviewing a picture book containing stories of one Richie Rich.  Described as both a 'Poor Little Rich Boy' and 'the Richest Boy in the World' I was at first aghast at the very notion of idolizing the aristocratic class.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that these stories are in fact parables of the exploitation of the working class by the aristocracy and bourgeoisie.  In this particular volume the part of proletariat or working class will be played by Dollar Dog.  This book demonstrates how we can explain the plight of the workers to children, demonstrate to them how the aristocracy exploits the proletariat, and make clear that eventually the proletariat will rise up and establish a new social order.

None of this is correct- ed.

In our first tale, I Want Dollar, we are introduced to a Mr. Sleezo who wants to purchase Dollar from Mr. Richie Rich.

At first you may understandably assume that Mr. Sleezo represents the lumpenproletariat, the undesirable aspects of society.  But a closer examination leads us to the undeniable conclusion that this tale is a classic example of the aristocracy in conflict with the petite bourgeoisie.  In this case the aristocracy, Richie Rich, controls the means of production, Dollar Dog, Mr. Sleezo wanting to acquire more capital, desires to exploit the worker Dollar Dog for his own gain.  The desires of the workers are completely irrelevant to both the aristocracy and petite bourgeoisie.

I'm pretty sure that he's just a guy with a funny name.- ed.

Because the aristocracy controls the police power of the state, Richie Rich is able to keep Mr. Sleezo from acquiring Dollar.  Thus, as frequently happens there is a conflict between the capitalist classes, with those who control the most capital using force to keep their favored position.

Also the cops may want to check out the potential Hulk they've got working with them. -ed.

In the end Mr. Sleezo attempts to appeal Dollar's base nature in the form of food.  As always when the capitalist grows too cruel, too greedy, and too wanton in their exploitation, a proletarian revolution occurs.  In this case Mr. Sleezo is overwhelmed by Dollar's fellow workers dogs. 

He was dressed as a bone and covered with gravy.  What did he expect would happen?-ed.

There is also a cautionary aspect to this tale.  Notice how the aristocracy, represented by Richie Rich, is all too willing to sacrifice the lower levels of the bourgeoisie to the revolution to remain secure in their power.  If there is a moral here, this is it.  Beware the machinations of the aristocracy as they will manipulate the workers and lower bourgeoisie classes into conflict to maintain their position of power!

Not the moral of this story at all.-ed.

Next we have a short tale demonstrating how the aristocracy tries to use the illusion of advancement into the bourgeoisie class and potential wealth against the worker.  In this case the aristocratic cousin of Richie Rich, Reggie Van Dough Jr. attempts to trick Dollar Dog with an inflatable bone.  The bone obviously represents wealth and entry into the bourgeoisie class.  A tempting prize for a worker how spends his life exploited by these very same classes.

When the proletariat, Dollar, eventually sees through the illusion of promised wealth and turns his anger against the aristocracy the revolution begins.  A masterful example of how the workers will one day rise up against the capitalist class laid out in a single page!

Not even close.  Just a dog biting an inflatable bone.-ed.

Our next tale, A Special Tailent, is a classic example of how the aristocracy manipulates the workers by pitting them against each other.  We begin with Richie Rich slyly pointing out the advantages monkeys have over dogs because of their prehensile tails.  

There's no doubt Richie is being a bit of a jerk in this one. -ed.

Note the way the aristocracy diminishes the workers value by casually saying that 'I'm sure dog tails are good for something.'  And thus the seed is planted in Dollar's mind.  He must find a use for his tail or perhaps see himself replaced by a monkey.  The capitalist pits worker against worker.

He actually may be on to something here. -ed.

Responding to a threat to his coveted position way Dollar begins a training regime for his tail and soon he able to perform miraculous feats with it.

So great are Dollar's deeds that Richie Rich begins to exploit him in all new ways.

Hmm, how has there not been an Air bud golf movie?-ed.

Alas, as so often happens to the downtrodden, worker Dollar's successes were just a dream.  He has not developed a super-tail and  he is returned to his life where, as Richie Rich reminds him, his value is only based on the joy he brings his master.

Clearly a warning to workers about the manipulations of the bourgeoisie.

Finally we have a tale, Lucky Dog, that demonstrates the workers can overcome through communal action.

We begin with Richie Rich the world's richest boy making Dollar live in a comically undersized dog house with the empty promise of a bigger house tomorrow.  This is a classic capitalist ploy, make the workers' life miserable but promise that there will be better days tomorrow.

Richie Rich once again engages in the capitalist scheme of turning the workers against each other.  In this case he shows Dollar that despite the fact that his house is too small for him to live in, he has it better than the other animals.

In the end Dollar realizes the proletariat must come together and the animals engage in communal living.  Dollar understands that it is the equitable distribution of housing that makes him a 'Lucky Dog' and no longer a blind servant to the whims of the aristocracy.  Richie Rich professes pride in this turn of events but little does he understand that it is the first step in the people's revolution.  Workers of the world unite!

He may have read a little too much into this book.-ed.

I have also decided to discuss these disturbing advertisements from this particular picture book.

In this advertisement, the capitalist use the power of mass media to confuse and placate children.  Notice that the capitalist give the children and impossible choice on the Shmoo question and that they really wanted the children to watch on Saturday morning, September 8th.  I'm sure that's when they placed the most advertisements.  

More exploitation of children this time with the insidiousness of GRIT.  

Notice the wickedness of the system of capitalist oppression as introduced to children.  1) They appeal to those who feel left out. 2) They ascribe being left out to lack of money.  3) They assure you if you sell GRIT you will have money. 4) With money you will never be left out again.  Truly a terrible system.  I'm not saying that the introduction of GRIT in 1882 directly led to my death in 1883, but I'm not, not saying that either.

Finally, the back cover of this picture book contains an ad for Star Trek The Motion Picture.  Having seen Star Trek The Motion Picture and having now read an issue of Richie Rich, I can safely say that the capitalist marketers of this motion picture film did not understand the target audience of Richie Rich.

Why did they put Illia instead of McCoy on the poster?  She was dead before the first act was over.-ed.