not_bad_graphs.py

""" Script to remake some uncommunicative info graphics I've seen in the news"""

from pylab import *

# Eli Sander's article "Tax the Filthy Rich"
# http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/tax-the-filthy-rich/Content?oid=4837455
# http://www.thestranger.com/binary/8563/feature2.jpg

y = [2116.906, 787.162, 356.570, 72.858]
y2 = [38.400]

figure(1)
clf()
bar([1,2,3,4], y, color='grey', label='Not Taxed')
bar([4], y2, color='red', label='Taxed')
axis([.5, 5, 0, 2500])
xticks([1.4, 2.4, 3.4, 4.4], ['Under $50K', '$50K-100K', '$100K-200K', 'Over $200K'], ha='center')
legend()
ylabel('WA Tax Returns (Thousands)')


# NYTimes Chamber of commerce
# http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/us/politics/22chamber.html
# http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2010/10/22/us/politics/22chamber-g.html

r = [34.3, 21.1, 15.3, 12.9, 8.7, 8.5, 8.0]
rnames = 'NRCC USCC AAN AC AFF NRSC AJS'.split()

d = [26.3, 22.0, 10.6]
dnames = 'DCCC DSCC SEIU'.split()

figure(2)
clf()
bar(1 + zeros_like(r), cumsum(r)[::-1], color='red')
bar(2 + zeros_like(d), cumsum(d)[::-1], color='blue')

for i in range(len(r)):
    text(1.4, cumsum(r)[i], '\n%s'%rnames[i], va='top', ha='center')
for i in range(len(d)):
    text(2.4, cumsum(d)[i], '\n%s'%dnames[i], va='top', ha='center')

xticks([1.4, 2.4], ['Are/Lean Conservative', 'Are/Lean Liberal'])
axis([.8, 3, 0, 125])

ylabel('Campaign Spending (millions)')
title('Top Ten Campaign Spenders Jan 1, 2009 to Oct 18, 2010')