Archive for the ‘Politics Satire’ Category
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
In Arizona, at least, the Birthers still haven’t gone away.
Open Limerick To Birthers
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Even now, we hear Birthers contest
Barack’s birthplace with zealotous zest.
Though he’s won two elections
Their baseless objections
Persist. They should give it a rest.
Tags: Arizona, Arizona Electors, Barack Obama, Birthers, Don Ascoli, GOP Humor, Obama's Birth Certificate, Presidential Election, Republicans Humor, Tom Morrissey
Posted in Barack Obama, Birther Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 2 Comments »
Friday, December 14th, 2012
I’ve been meaning to write a serious limerick about gun violence for a long time. Today’s tragic Newtown Connecticut school shooting prompted this verse:
Massacre Message (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Mindless murder and mayhem in schools.
U.S. mall assaults — gun wielding ghouls.
We seek a solution,
But hear: “Constitution!”
We need leaders — not NRA tools!
Tags: Adam Lanza, Cowardly Politicians, Gun Control, Gun Laws, Gun Lobby, Gun Violence, Guns, Leadership Humor, Newtown Connecticut School Shootings, Sandy Hook, Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution
Posted in Constitution Humor, Firearms & Guns Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire | 7 Comments »
Thursday, December 13th, 2012
I share Ed Kilgore’s amusement at the NRO’s interview with RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. Kilgore says:
At NRO, Jim Geraghty has an unintentionally hilarious interview with RNC chairman Reince Priebus in which the party chief pledges a frantic effort to look everywhere for ways to improve the party’s appeal—everywhere, that is, other than ideology, the Big Taboo no one is supposed to address.
Limerick Ode To Reince Priebus
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Reince Priebus now brags that he’s planned
To improve the Republican brand.
But his pride seems misplaced
Cuz root problems ain’t faced:
Ideology change appears banned.
Tags: Ed Kilgore, Ideology, Jim Geraghty, NRO, Policy Humor, Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee, Republicans Humor, RNC Humor
Posted in GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Reince Priebus, Republicans Humor, RNC Humor | Comments Off on Limerick Ode To Reince Priebus
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
Here’s my response to this New York Times article about the “fiscal cliff” negotiations between Obama and Boehner:
Senryu For Obama:
John Boehner’s con game:
Can’t muster votes. Give me more.
Don’t be fooled again.
Tags: Barack Obama, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, John Boehner, Negotiations, Political Senryu
Posted in Barack Obama, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Political Haiku & Senryu, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | Comments Off on Senryu For Obama
Tuesday, December 11th, 2012
Fox News has found something new to cheer about: Lame duck Michigan Republicans have rammed through a law that would make Michigan the 24th “right-to-work” state. And Republican Governor Rick Snyder is poised to break his prior promise by signing it.
This is payback, of course, to punish auto and other unions for supporting Obama.
Limerick Ode To Vendetta Politics
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Republicans rule by vendetta,
Passing laws meant to enemies fettah:
The Michigan bosses
Blame unions for losses,
So at unions have aimed a Beretta.
Tags: Anti-Union, Auto Union, Automobile Industry, Barack Obama, Fox News, Lame Duck, Michigan, Republicans Humor, Rick Snyder, Right-To-Work State, Union Busting, Vendetta Politics
Posted in Automobiles Satire, Barack Obama, Collective Bargaining, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Michigan Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 2 Comments »
Monday, December 10th, 2012
In the “fiscal cliff” negotiations, Republicans are irrationally demanding a hike in the Medicare eligibility age — what Nancy Pelosi refers to as “a trophy that the Republicans want.”
As Ezra Klein explains, this would not save money or help solve the health care cost problem, and it would hurt lots of people. Unfortunately, Republicans seem to favor symbolism over substance, and raising the Medicare eligibility age would be “a signal that they won something big on entitlements.”
Medicare Mishigas (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
GOPers want change that ain’t sage:
Raise the Medicare-el’gible age.
This does harm — won’t address
The health care cost mess:
It’s the fruit of entitlements-rage.
Tags: Entitlements, Ezra Klein, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Humor, GOP Humor, Health Care, Medicare Eligibility, Medicare Reform, Medicare Satire, Nancy Pelosi, Negotiations, Republicans Humor
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Health Satire, Legislation Humor, Medicare Humor, Money & Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
Earlier today, I posted about Karl Rove and Dick Morris being benched by Fox News. I couldn’t resist writing another limerick on the topic:
Ousted Pundits (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Morris and Rove, what a blow:
Fox has noticed you ain’t “in the know.”
Special leave is now needed
Before we are treated
To blowhards like you on a show.
Tags: Dick Morris, Election Punditry, Fox News, Karl Rove, Media Humor, Pundit Humor, Roger Ailes
Posted in Fox News Humor, GOP Humor, Karl Rove, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
Apparently, Karl Rove’s election night histrionics pushed Roger Ailes too far. Rove’s been benched.
…Ailes has issued a new directive to his staff: He wants the faces associated with the election off the air — for now. For Karl Rove and Dick Morris — a pair of pundits perhaps most closely aligned with Fox’s anti-Obama campaign — Ailes’s orders mean new rules. Ailes’s deputy, Fox News programming chief Bill Shine, has sent out orders mandating that producers must get permission before booking Rove or Morris.
Karl Rove’s Ailing Punditry (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Roger Ailes appears sick of Rove’s failin’
To get anything right, so he’s bailin’:
Fox News has been told
Not to book that old scold.
But alas, Fox still carries Ms. Palin.
Tags: Bill Shine, Dick Morris, Election Punditry, Fox News, Karl Rove, Media Humor, Pundit Humor, Roger Ailes, Sarah Palin
Posted in Election Satire, Fox News Humor, GOP Humor, Karl Rove, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, December 4th, 2012
Open Limerick To President Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, I welcome your stance
In the “fiscal cliff” deal-making dance.
If the 1st comes sans deal,
Our nation will heal.
Hanging tough is the way to advance.
Tags: Barack Obama, Congress Humor, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, Negotiations
Posted in Barack Obama, Congress Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, House Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, White House | 4 Comments »
Saturday, December 1st, 2012
Political haiku for a change of pace:
Hurricane’s over,
but the political storm
is never-ending.
(More storm haiku here.)
Tags: American Politics Haiku, Budget Cuts, Congress Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Cliff, Negotiations, Political Battles, Political Haiku & Senryu, Washington Politicians
Posted in Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Haiku & Senryu, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Washington | 9 Comments »
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Republican Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte have a seemingly irrational vendetta against U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, centering on Benghazi. What explains it? Well, Rachel Maddow has a fascinating theory, which Mark Karlin buys, as do I.
Here’s how the theory works:
1) Republicans are lusting after John Kerry’s Senate seat, eying it for soon-to-be ex-Senator Scott Brown.
2) Kerry and Rice are the only contenders for Secretary of State.
3) If Kerry gets State, he has to give up his seat, and Brown has a good shot at winning a special election to replace him.
4) Rice is standing in Kerry’s way, so she must be eliminated by the McCain/Graham/Ayotte trio.
In other words:
Rice Madness (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
If Obama gives State to John Kerry
The GOP’s bound to be merry:
Scott Brown can then run
For John’s seat. Oh what fun!
This explains why they’ll Susan Rice bury.
Tags: Barack Obama, Benghazi, John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Lindsey Graham, State Department, Susan Rice, United Nations
Posted in Barack Obama, GOP Humor, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 6 Comments »
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
#My2k Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Obama’s new hashtag is meant
2 help middle class taxpayers vent
Via tweets 2 demand
That their tax hike is banned:
#My2k’s needed 4 rent.
(You can find the story about Obama’s social media PR efforts and this “fiscal cliff” related hashtag here.)
Tags: #My2k, Barack Obama, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, Hashtags, Middle Class, Social Media Humor, Tax Hikes, Taxpayers, Tweet Humor, Twitter Limerick
Posted in Barack Obama, Fiscal Policy, Middle Class, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Social Media Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Twitter, White House | Comments Off on #My2k Limerick
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Dear Members Of The Media:
When a Republican refuses to consider any tax rate hike whatsoever … even for millionaires and billionaires … that’s an extremist position. So it would be nice if you’d stop acting as if the few Republicans claiming sudden independence from Grover Norquist’s tax pledge are moderates, when they’re still refusing to consider any rate hikes.
To put it another way, a slight compromise in one’s extremism is still extremism:
The way the whole “fiscal cliff” thing (itself a contrivance based on the Republican view that expiration of the Bush tax cuts and imposition of defense spending cuts would be an apocalyptic development) is being discussed in the MSM is a depressing vindication of the huge strategic advantages of partisan extremism. If you are crazy enough for a while, then agreeing to be slightly less crazy looks statesmanlike.
Open Limerick To The Mainstream Media
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The press is again just a dupe
In the make-believe compromise loop:
A mere marginal move
By extremists can’t prove
That they’re aught but a lunatic group.
Tags: Bush Tax Cut Extension, Defense Spending, Extremists Satire, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Humor, Grover Norquist, Mainstream Media, Media Humor, Partisan Extremism, Republicans Humor, Tax Pledge, Tax Rate Hikes, Taxes
Posted in Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Legislation Humor, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 3 Comments »
Friday, November 23rd, 2012
This Republican behavior is so crazy, I almost couldn’t write a limerick about it.
Republican lawmakers in Michigan, a state which eliminated tax credits for children last year, have proposed a tax credit for unborn foetuses of 12 weeks gestation…
Critics said the proposal was “absurd” and described it as a backdoor way of trying to pass “personhood” legislation which would give rights to an embryo and crack down on abortion.
The irony-impaired Rep. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac said:
“You’re recognizing the fact that people have additional expenses, another person to take care of.”
Michigan’s Fetal Shenanigans (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A Republican law now forbids
Tax credits for Michigan kids,
But those same pols want credits
For fetuses. Bet it’s
A product of brains on the skids.
Tags: Abortion Rights, Fetal Right, Fetus Rights, Fiscal Humor, Jud Gilbert, Michigan, Personhood Humor, Republicans Humor, Tax Credit, Tax Humor
Posted in Abortion Rights, Birth Control Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Michigan Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 4 Comments »
Monday, November 19th, 2012
Congratulations to Dictionary.com for its excellent 2012 Word of the Year selection — Bluster. (Needless to say, its luster inspired a limerick.)
2012 saw the most expensive political campaigns and some of the most extreme weather events in human history, from floods in Australia to cyclones in China to Hurricane Sandy and many others. Man-made disasters spiraled as the European Central Bank continued to hem and haw over bailouts and austerity, and Greeks went to the polls after years of uncertainty. Even after many spilled words, the stability of the Euro fuels debate around the world. So what one word conveys these dominant trends of 2012? Bluster.
Limerick Bluster
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The wordies have managed to muster
An apt word for the year: It is “Bluster.”
Windy pols and big storms
Are Two-Thousand-Twelve norms—
Not to mention a big budget buster.
Tags: Bluster, Campaign Humor, Dictionary.com, Election 2012, Election Satire, Extreme Weather, Global Warming, Hurricane Sandy, Political Campaigns, Politicians Limerick, Weather Humor, Word Of The Year
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Faux Controversies, Global Warming, Partisanship Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Weather Satire | 2 Comments »
Saturday, November 17th, 2012
I know that I shouldn’t indulge in Schadenfreude, but I can’t help myself: Watching the Republican rats desert Mitt Romney’s sinking ship is immensely entertaining! And in my defense, Gail Collins seems to be enjoying it too.
Mitt Romney’s Sunken Ship Blues (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Mitt Romney is now on the outs.
Having lost in a rout, Romney pouts,
Making whiny remarks,
Giving GOP sharks
An excuse for disownership shouts.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bobby Jindal, Election Satire, Gail Collins, GOP Humor, Marco Rubio, Newt Gingrich, Presidential Election, Republicans Humor, Schadenfreude
Posted in Barack Obama, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Marco Rubio, Mitt Romney Humor, Newt Gingrich Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
Mitt “Sore Loser” Romney doesn’t use the word “bribes” in rationalizing his loss to his donors, but he sure comes mighty close:
A week after losing the election to President Obama, Mitt Romney blamed his overwhelming electoral loss on what he said were big “gifts” that the president had bestowed on loyal Democratic constituencies, including young voters, African-Americans and Hispanics.
In a conference call on Wednesday afternoon with his national finance committee, Mr. Romney said that the president had followed the “old playbook” of wooing specific interest groups — “especially the African-American community, the Hispanic community and young people,” Mr. Romney explained — with targeted gifts and initiatives.
If I understand Romney correctly, winning votes because of policies that benefit the middle class, minorities, and the poor is bad. But winning votes and tons of donor cash because of policies that will make rich people even richer is just fine and dandy. So glad we cleared that up.
Limerick Ode To Mitt “Sore Loser” Romney
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Mitt Romney is sore-loser cross,
Blaming targeted “gifts” for his loss.
Mitt in essence describes
Good programs as bribes
To Blacks, Youths, Hispanics. What dross!
Tags: African-Americans, Barack Obama, Black People, Blame Game, Election 2012, Election Satire, Hispanics, Joe Biden, Minorities, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Policy Humor, Presidential Election, Republican Donors, Republican Policies, Republicans Humor, Sore Losers, White House, Youth Vote
Posted in Barack Obama, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
Shush! Please don’t tell all those Red State would-be secessionists what a great deal they have right now. And how much better off financially we Blue Staters would be, if the sore loser Red Staters successfully seceded.
… a large number of patriotic Americans, mostly from states won by Mitt Romney last week, have petitioned the White House to let them secede. They should be careful about what they wish for. It would be excellent financial news for those of us left behind if Obama were to grant a number of the rebel states their wish “to withdraw from the United States and create [their] own NEW government” (the petitions emphasize “new” by capitalizing it).
Red states receive, on average, far more from the federal government in expenditures than they pay in taxes. The balance is the opposite in blue states. The secession petitions, therefore, give the opportunity to create what would be, in a fiscal sense, a far more perfect union.
Dear Red State Would-Be Secessionists: Buh-Bye! (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Greedy Red States who want to secede
Are “takers” and foolish indeed.
From the Fed they get more
Than they send — they’ll be poor
If they leave, and the Blues will be freed.
Tags: Barack Obama, Blue States, Federal Government, Financial Verse, Fiscal Humor, Presidential Election, Red States, Secession, Secession Petition, Tax Policy, White House
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, Texas Humor, White House | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
I’ve been trying to ignore the David Petraeus, John Allen, Jill Kelley, Paula Broadwell, shirtless FBI agent brouhaha. But it’s really hard to avoid.
The Press Laid Bare (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Juicy emails! Illicit affair!
FBI guy whose chest is quite bare!
In gen’ral the press,
Now bored with our mess,
Prefers fare with a sexual flair.
Tags: CIA, Cyberstalking, David Petraeus, FBI Agents, Frederick Humphries, Jill Kelley, John Allen, Media Humor, National Security, Paula Broadwell, Press
Posted in CIA Satire, FBI Humor, Media Satire, National Security Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire | Comments Off on The Press Laid Bare (Limerick)
Monday, November 12th, 2012
Open Limerick To Angry Republicans
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Republicans rail round the clock:
“How on earth was Mitt beat by Barack?”
They have theories galore,
But they need just one more:
It’s the policies, stupid! Take stock!
Tags: Barack Obama, Election 2012, Election Satire, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Policy Humor, Presidential Election, Republican Policies, Republicans Humor, White House
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 8 Comments »
