Archive for the ‘Fiscal Policy’ Category
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
Does anyone else cringe when the media calls Trump a “populist?” I suggest these, instead: “purported populist,” “fake populist,” “alleged populist,” just-pretend populist,” or “faux populist.”
A “faux populist” con hurtled Trump
To the White House, the votes from each chump
Gained by promises made
That he’d come to their aid;
Bigly duped by a fraud on the stump.
Tags: Campaign 2016, Conned Voters, Economy, Economy Satire, Fake Populism, Faux Populism, Populism, Trump
Posted in Campaign Humor, Donald Trump, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | Comments Off on Dear Media: Trump ISN’T A Populist, So Stop Calling Him One! (Limerick)
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
What happens when your own party concludes you’re an untrustworthy negotiating partner? They make a deal with the Dems, and leave you out of the process.
That’s precisely what happened with the budget, and Trump’s been tweeting his unhappiness: “Our country needs a good ‘shutdown’ in September to fix mess.”
A government shutdown is needed,
Tweets Donald, who’s feeling defeated;
The untrustworthy heel
Was left out of the deal
By his party — reality heeded.
Tags: Bipartisanship, Budget Bill, Budget Deal, Donald Trump, Government Shutdown, Negotiations, Spending Bill
Posted in Donald Trump, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | Comments Off on The President Who Cried “Country Needs A Good ‘Shutdown'” (Limerick)
Tuesday, March 28th, 2017
Trump claims that he never drinks alcohol. But proposing to spend one billion dollars on 62 miles of wall is surely proof he’s plastered:
This ludicrous price won’t draw smiles:
One billion for sixty-two miles
Of Trump’s Mexican wall?
Yes that’s dollars! Stand tall:
Not one dime for his worthless shit piles.
Tags: Border Wall, Budget Limerick, Donald Trump, Federal Budget, Mexican Wall, Mexico Humor, WALL
Posted in Donald Trump, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Mexico Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | Comments Off on Is Trump Plastered?
Saturday, March 11th, 2017
Yikes! Trump’s proposed budget pays for his pet wall by raiding the TSA, FEMA, and Coast Guard budgets.
Remember Trump’s thunderous call
For a Mexico-financed “great wall?”
Coast Guard funds, FEMA cash,
And the TSA stash–
Trump will slash them to build it. What gall!
Are you feeling more secure yet?
Tags: Budget Cuts, Budget Limerick, Coast Guard, Donald Trump, FEMA, Mexico, Mexico Humor, Trump, TSA, WALL
Posted in Donald Trump, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Mexico Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Transportation Safety, White House | Comments Off on Trump’s Wall (Limerick)
Saturday, October 31st, 2015
Most press coverage about the “cleaning the barn” two-year “budget deal,” negotiated by Boehner as he was handing off his Speaker gig to Paul Ryan, is unduly optimistic. It tends to lull us into thinking that the opportunity for House wingnuts to wreak havoc has been largely eliminated for a substantial period of time.
But that really isn’t true. Why not? Because, generally speaking, there are three broad opportunities for Tea Party types to threaten or cause shutdowns.
1: Budget bills.
2: Debt ceiling crises.
3: Appropriation bills.
And, alas, only the first two items on that list were resolved, leaving ample opportunities for essential appropriation bills to be saddled with unacceptable riders. For instance, riders eliminating Obamacare or defunding Planned Parenthood, to name just two. In other words:
Right-wing Republicans can still pursue their goals through riders on appropriations bills—and, if they don’t get their way, shut down the government.
With Ryan as Speaker, don’t think
That we aren’t stuck right on the brink
Of Tea Party trouble.
It still can cause rubble
Through spending bills yet to gain ink.
The fact that the budget’s resolved
And the ceiling on debt ain’t involved,
Should not make you relieved.
If you are, you’re deceived,
Cuz the poison pill risk isn’t solved.
The House must appropriate cash,
Via bills which the wingnuts can trash
Through riders from guys
With Tea Party ties,
Turning programs we need into ash.
If that happens, then what can be done?
Only vetoes, and those aren’t fun.
But the blackmailing Hill
Can’t prevail on such bill!
Are there any good choices? Nay! None.
Tags: Appropriations Bill, Budget Limerick, Federal Budget, Government Shutdown, House Satire, John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Tea Party Members, Wingnuts
Posted in Congress Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Government Services, House Satire, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | Comments Off on Undoing Undue Optimism (4-Verse Limerick)
Monday, December 29th, 2014
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)
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014
Chris Christie Wages War On Low-Wage Workers (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Chris Christie says minimum wage
Is too boring — he’s on a new page.
Dare to mention that matter—
He’ll spew out rude chatter.
Suggest raising it? Brace for his rage.
Tags: Chris Christie, GOP, Income Humor, Minimum Wage, Money Humor, New Jersey, Republicans Humor
Posted in Business Humor, Chris Christie, Employment Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Job Humor, Money And Finance Humor, New Jersey Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Wage Humor | Comments Off on Chris Christie Wages War On Low-Wage Workers (Limerick)
Monday, April 21st, 2014
I can’t help wondering whether Supreme Court Justice Scalia says weird things like this just for attention:
Speaking at the University of Tennessee College of Law on Tuesday, the longest-serving justice currently on the bench was asked by a student about the constitutionality of the income tax, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.
Scalia responded that the government has the right to implement the tax, “but if it reaches a certain point, perhaps you should revolt.”
Limerick Ode To Antonin Scalia
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Suggesting that students revolt
Over taxes ain’t very adult.
It seems doltish Scalia
Has mouth diarrhea.
I surmise that his brain’s short a bolt.
Tags: Antonin Scalia, Income Tax, Justice Antonin Scalia, Revolution Humor, Supreme Court Humor, Taxes, U.S. Constitution, U.S. Supreme Court
Posted in Constitution Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Judiciary Satire, Law Satire, Legal Limericks, Money & Finance Humor, Money And Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Supreme Court, Tax & Budget Humor | Comments Off on Limerick Ode To Antonin Scalia
Saturday, October 19th, 2013
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 »
Thursday, October 17th, 2013
The 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
Tuesday, October 8th, 2013
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 »
Monday, September 30th, 2013
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 »
Monday, September 30th, 2013
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 »
Saturday, September 28th, 2013
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 »
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
“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 »
Tuesday, September 24th, 2013
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
Saturday, May 25th, 2013
This New York Times headline doesn’t exactly come as a shock: Banks’ Lobbyists Help in Drafting Financial Bills:
One bill that sailed through the House Financial Services Committee this month — over the objections of the Treasury Department — was essentially Citigroup’s, according to e-mails reviewed by The New York Times. The bill would exempt broad swathes of trades from new regulation.
In a sign of Wall Street’s resurgent influence in Washington, Citigroup’s recommendations were reflected in more than 70 lines of the House committee’s 85-line bill. Two crucial paragraphs, prepared by Citigroup in conjunction with other Wall Street banks, were copied nearly word for word. (Lawmakers changed two words to make them plural.)
Our Industrious Lawmakers (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
It seems Wall Street is writing our laws;
Co’s like Citigroup — clause by bad clause.
If you think it’s a crime
That the rich win each time,
That right there is your probable cause.
Tags: Banking Satire, Citigroup, Congress Humor, Dodd-Frank, Finance Limerick, Financial Regulations, Legislation Humor, Lobbying, Lobbyist Humor, Money Humor, New York Times, Wall Street
Posted in Banking Humor, Congress Humor, Fiscal Policy, House Satire, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks | 2 Comments »
Friday, February 22nd, 2013
John Boehner’s 2011 PowerPoint presentation provides ample proof that sequestration originated with the Republicans.
But even if we didn’t have that smoking gun slide show, the GOP’s attempt to label it “Obama’s sequester” wouldn’t pass the straight-face test. Here’s Andrew Sullivan making that powerful point:
…I simply cannot see how a political party that has branded itself in favor of drastic spending cuts can somehow win a public debate in which they are now apparently opposing drastic spending cuts, and “blaming” them on Obama. And their branding means that the slow government shutdown we will almost certainly now face will surely stick more to them than to Obama.
Sequestration Blame Game (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
What’s the key to the GOP brand?
Budget cuts that our land can’t withstand.
So it’s laughably lame
That they’re trying to claim
The sequester’s Obama’s scheme grand.
Tags: Andrew Sullivan, Barack Obama, Blame Game, Budget Cuts, Defense Spending, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Obama's Sequester, Republican Rebranding, Republicans Humor, Sequestration
Posted in Barack Obama, Blame Game, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 2 Comments »
Friday, December 21st, 2012
John Boehner’s Plan B scheme seems to have backfired, forcing him to cancel the vote and endangering his speakership.
Boehner’s Plan B Gets A Failing Grade (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
John Boehner had hoped that Plan B
Would embarrass Obama, you see.
It collapsed on the Speaker.
Job tenure? A squeaker!
Boehner’s stunt gets an F, at most D.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bush Tax Cut Extension, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, John Boehner, Money & Finance Humor, Negotiations, Plan B, Speakership
Posted in Barack Obama, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 4 Comments »
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
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