Having It Both Ways (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Claim “Obama’s economy’s” sick?
Then take credit for upswings? How slick!
But my dear GOPers,
It doesn’t take seers
To know that you really must pick.
Having It Both Ways (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Claim “Obama’s economy’s” sick?
Then take credit for upswings? How slick!
But my dear GOPers,
It doesn’t take seers
To know that you really must pick.
Tags: Economy, Economy Satire, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Humor, GOP, Obama poem, Republican Hypocrisy, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington | Comments Off on Having It Both Ways (Limerick)
How does John Boehner explain away and excuse his role in the government shutdown?
“I got overrun, that’s what happened.”
The “Overrun” Speaker (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
What is Boehner’s excuse? He’s got none,
Meekly claiming he “got overrun.”
He could scarcely be weaker;
His job as the Speaker
Is leading — he’s left it undone.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Extortion, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Government Default, Government Shutdown, House Republicans, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington DC
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Leadership Humor, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, Tea Parties, Washington, Wingnuts | 1 Comment »
In President Obama’s October 8 news conference about the current budget and debt ceiling stalemate with Republicans, Obama said: “We can’t make extortion routine as part of our democracy.”
Clean Messaging (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
We can’t make extortion routine,
Said Obama, and that’s why a clean
Bill for spending and debt
Is a requisite get,
Else democracy’s sure to careen.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Extortion, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Government Default, Government Shutdown, House Republicans, House Speaker, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Obamacare Repeal, President Obama, Republicans Humor
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Democracy Humor, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Government Services, Harry Reid, Health Satire, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington, White House, Wingnuts | 4 Comments »
Limerick Ode To The Government Shutdown
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A government shutdown’s arrived–
An avoidable crisis contrived
By the wingnutty House,
Who blackmail and grouse
Over battles they’ve lost and revived.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Government Default, Government Shutdown, House Republicans, House Speaker, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Obamacare Repeal, Republicans Humor
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Government Services, Health Satire, House Satire, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Open Limerick To “Speaker” Boehner
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Boehner, while reading the news,
I’m bewildered — it tends to confuse:
Either somebody stole
Your Speakership role,
Or you gave it to Senator Cruz.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Government Default, Government Shutdown, House Republicans, House Speaker, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Obama Verse, Obamacare Repeal, Patriotism Humor, Republicans Humor, Ted Cruz
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Health Satire, House Satire, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington, Wingnuts | 3 Comments »
Bad news from the Republican-controlled House:
House Republicans will vote to pass a one-year delay of Obamacare in exchange for funding the government, a plan that drastically increases the chances of a government shutdown this Tuesday.
Discredit Where Discredit Is Due (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A government shutdown’s been forced
By Republicans, sadly divorced
From our nationwide needs.
It’s clear from their deeds:
They have fiscal disaster endorsed.
Tags: Blame Game, Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Government Default, Government Shutdown, Legislation Satire, Obama Verse, Obamacare Repeal, Patriotism Humor, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Health Satire, House Satire, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington, Wingnuts | 1 Comment »
“Party First” Politics (3-Verse Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
When the government runs out of cash
And shuts down, then just who will you bash?
If you’re paying attention,
The party you’ll mention
Is Republican — that’s who you’ll trash.
But misinformation’s widespread
Cuz the public is constantly fed
Big Republican lies
Which attempt to disguise
Who would chop off the government’s head.
Yet the GOP’s mission is clear:
It’s a goal they’ve chased year after year
To stymie Obama,
No matter the trauma
To all that our nation holds dear.
Tags: Blame Game, Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Government Default, Legislation Satire, Obama Verse, Obamacare Repeal, Patriotism Humor, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Blame Game, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, House Satire, Legislation Humor, Partisanship Satire, Patriotism Poems, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Senate Satire, Washington, White House, Wingnuts | 5 Comments »
Limerick Ode To Republican Hostage-Takers
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“Fail to meet our demands? Then we’ll shoot.
Any deaths will be YOUR fault, to boot.”
That’s the GOP path
On their road laced with wrath.
Bottom line? Seems they don’t give a hoot.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Obamacare Repeal, Patriotism Humor, Republicans Humor, Ted Cruz
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Health Satire, House Satire, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington, Wingnuts | Comments Off on Limerick Ode To Republican Hostage-Takers
As Obama’s State of the Union address draws nearer, the press (thanks to GOP prodding) has become obsessed with one question: Why the focus on a liberal agenda, instead of jobs and the economy?
Open Limerick To The Media
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“Where’s your focus on jobs?” asks the press,
As Obama contends with a mess
Of issues galore,
Cuz his job at its core
Is to many dilemmas address.
So dear media, try this new task:
Press Republicans: Tough questions ask!
Like “Just what have THEY done
About jobs. Name just one
Thing they do besides block, bitch, and bask.”
Tags: Congress Humor, Economy Satire, Employment Humor, GOP Humor, Jobs Jobs Jobs, Liberal Agenda, Media Humor, Obstructionism, President Obama, Press, Republicans Humor, SOTU, State Of The Union Address
Posted in 44 Humor, Congress Humor, Economy Humor, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Legislation Humor, Media Satire, Money & Finance Humor, Money And Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, White House | 2 Comments »
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 »
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 »
If you aren’t sure whether we’re better off now than we were four years ago, check out these headlines from September 2008.
Yes We Are! (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Are we better off now? Yes we are!
To suggest that we’re not is bizarre.
Prez Barack turned the tide,
Though Republicans tried
To ensure things remain way sub-par.
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Economy Satire, Election Satire, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 6 Comments »
In one fell swoop, Paul Ryan’s been caught in a web of hypocrisy and lies over Obama’s stimulus package:
After repeated denials, Paul Ryan has admitted he requested stimulus cash even after sharply criticizing the program.
Ryan had denied doing so as recently as Wednesday, when he spoke to ABC’s Cincinnati affiliate, WCPO, in Ohio.
“I never asked for stimulus,” Mitt Romney’s new running mate said. “I don’t recall… so I really can’t comment on it. I opposed the stimulus because it doesn’t work, it didn’t work.”
Two years ago, during an interview on WBZ’s NewsRadio he was asked by a caller if he “accepted any money” into his district. Ryan said he did not.
“I’m not one [of those] people who votes for something then writes to the government to ask them to send us money. I did not request any stimulus money,” the congressman answered.
But as we’ve now learned, Ryan did write letters. He did request stimulus funds.
Paul Ryan’s Stimulus Flimflam (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Paul Ryan’s been caught in a lie
And hypocrisy too — what a guy!
To the stim he said, “No!”
Yet he asked for stim dough,
Then denied that he did it. Pork pie!
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Economic Stimulus Package, Election Satire, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Republican Hypocrites
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 3 Comments »
Limerick Ode To Republican Schadenfreude
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Watch Republicans feign being sad
When employment news comes, and it’s bad.
How they try not to grin—
They’re more likely to win!
If you vote GOP, you’ve been had.
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Federal Budget, Fiscal Crisis, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney, Presidential Election, Republican Hypocrisy, Republicans Humor, Schadenfreude
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 4 Comments »
So let me get this straight: Mitt Romney has disavowed his singular accomplishment as Massachusetts governor (universal health care). And for the most part, he’s resting his claim to the presidency on his Bain-related expertise and accomplishments. He even asserts (without any proof) to have been a big “job creator” there. And yet Romney has the audacity to declare his Bain years off-limits to examination and critique by Obama and other Democrats.
As Ezra Klein points out:
Romney’s national platform … calls for doing less for the victims of the global economy. He wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would guarantee that workers would get health insurance even if they lost their jobs in, say, a private-equity led restructuring. He wants to pay for large tax cuts and more defense spending by cutting funds for Medicaid, for food stamps, for worker retraining, and for housing subsidies. He wants to cut Social Security benefits. He has no detailed plans to improve the continuing education system, or worker retraining programs, such that displaced machinists have a better chance to find a new job.
That’s why the ads in which laid-off steelworkers say Romney just doesn’t care about people like them are so effective. As head of Bain, it was Romney’s job not to care about them. But as a presidential candidate, it’s his job to show that he does care about them. So far, he hasn’t.
Limerick Ode To Mitt “Job Creator” Romney
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Romney brags of his Bain expertise—
Says it’s earned him the White Houses’s keys.
Yet he’s sore, slams the door,
Says how dare we explore
What exactly he did for those fees.
Dear Mitt, you can’t have it both ways.
Your record’s reviewed in this phase:
When you proudly proclaim
You know biz, it’s fair game
To appraise your Bain management ways.
Tags: Bain Capital, Barack Obama, Business Expertise, Business Verse, Campaign Humor, Economy Satire, Election Satire, Fiscal Humor, Job Creator, Jobs, Mitt Romney, White House
Posted in Barack Obama, Business Humor, Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, White House | 3 Comments »
Every so often I read a news item that sounds so crazy, I’m sure it must be from the Onion. For instance:
Two months from now, [George W. Bush] plans to publish a book outlining strategies for economic growth.
Please Say It Ain’t So (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
An economy book by George Dub,
Whose presidency was a flub:
That’s the news of the day,
And I’m sorry to say
That this isn’t a joke — there’s the rub.
Tags: Economic Meltdown, Economy Satire, George Bush Satire, George W. Bush, Political Books, White House
Posted in Economy Humor, George Bush Satire, GOP Humor, Media Satire, Political Books, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, White House | 6 Comments »
The GOP Pitch (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Republicans made a huge mess.
Dems’ fixes they’ve tried to suppress.
Yet Republicans crow:
“The recovery’s slow.
Dump Obama. We’ve earned that address.”
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Economy Satire, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney, Oval Office, Presidential Campaign Humor, Republicans Humor, White House
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | 2 Comments »
According to Mitt Romney, people who challenge Wall Street and economic unfairness are driven by “envy.”
Limerick Ode To Mitt “They’re All Just Jealous” Romney
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Distribution of wealth on your mind?
Take exception to it and you’ll find
That according to Mitt
You’re an envious twit.
To inequities, Romney is blind.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Class Envy, Class Warfare, Distribution Of Wealth, Election Humor, Envy Humor, Financial Inequity, Income Tax, Jealousy Humor, Mitt Romney, Wall Street
Posted in Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 2 Comments »
The blame game is going strong with the customary false equivalencies.
Limerick Ode To The Not-So-Super Committee
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Super Committee’s derailed,
And now we are being regaled
With tales blaming Dems
Sold as “media gems.”
It’s “balanced” reporting that’s failed.
Tags: Blame Game, Budget Cuts, Economy Satire, Federal Budget, Financial Verse, Fiscal Humor, Journalism, Legislation Humor, Media Humor, Republicans Humor, Tax Limerick
Posted in Blame Game, Economy Humor, GOP Humor, Legislation Humor, Media Satire, Money & Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 2 Comments »


Mad Kane (Madeleine Begun Kane) is a writer, musician, and "recovering lawyer." She won the Robert Benchley Society Award For Humor and enjoys writing limericks, song parodies, and current events haiku.
You can email her at madkane@madkane.com, visit her non-political humor blog, or stop by her home page.
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Doomed Limerick
Thursday, October 17th, 2013The federal government’s reopened and the debt ceiling crisis was averted at the last minute. So the question now is, will this happen again? Alas, many experts believe we’re doomed to have yet another shutdown.
Doomed Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
This crisis is over for now,
But for those who are wiping their brow,
Please keep this in mind:
The very same bind
May in merely three months take a bow.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Extortion, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Furloughed Employees, Government Default, Government Shutdown, House Republicans, Legislation Satire, Republicans Humor, U.S. Senate, Washington DC
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Government Services, House Satire, Leadership Humor, Legislation Humor, Money & Finance Humor, Partisanship Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, RNC Humor, Senate Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Tea Parties, Washington, Wingnuts | Comments Off on Doomed Limerick