Archive for the ‘Fiscal Policy’ Category
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
Steve Benen points us to yet another example of the media blaming the wrong political party. According to the Washington Post, the Democrats, in resisting Republican precedent-changing demands for FEMA disaster relief offsets, was starting a “fight over a side issue:”
But Democrats decided to pick a fight over a side issue: an insistence by the GOP to pay for more disaster relief funding by cutting a popular auto-industry loan program. Republicans refused to back down.
So let me get this straight: Republicans try to change the rules, thereby holding disaster victims hostage … and it’s the Democrats’ fault?
This calls for two poems: a limerick and a tanka:
Dear Washington Post, you are wrong
With your Democrats started it song.
Disaster relief
Is the cause of this beef.
Give those offset demands a loud gong.
*****
Republican pols
Demand FEMA fund offsets—
Hold victims hostage,
While “liberal media”
Blames Dems for starting the fight.
*****
Tags: Blame Game, Congress Satire, Disaster Victims, FEMA, Fiscal Humor, Media Humor, National Disasters, Republican Hostages, Republicans Humor, Steve Benen, Washington Post
Posted in Fiscal Policy, Government Services, Media Satire, Money & Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Republicans Humor | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
This devout progressive has been very hard on Obama lately … and with good reason. But the debt ceiling debacle, liberal anger, and sinking poll numbers seem to have woken him up. Suddenly, Obama is the new, improved, assertive, populist President. And many former fans are welcoming back the President they thought they elected.
So, am I cheering? Well, let’s just say I’m giving Obama guarded applause. For while I like some of his jobs and tax proposals, and I love his newly confident, aggressive tone, I’m not convinced that any of this will last.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Limerick Ode To The New, Improved Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
It fin’ly has dawned on Barack
That with lib’rals he’s lost lots of stock.
His base and foundation
Could be his salvation.
I just hope his new stance ain’t a crock.
Tags: Barack Obama, Jobs, Legislation Humor, Liberals, Progressives, Tax Policy
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Democrats Humor, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington, White House | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
When a candidate tries to distance himself from, say, his doctoral thesis, or a book written a dozen years ago, this passes the straight-face test.
But when Rick Perry tries this with Fed Up! (a book published last fall) it’s hard not to laugh out loud.
Perry’s problem, of course, is that his book is packed with extreme positions, too radical even for his own Republican party. So Perry’s campaign would have us believe that Perry’s Social Security is unconstitutional position from last year is no longer operative. The same goes for his call to repeal the 16th amendment and replace income taxes with a national sales tax.
Limerick Ode To Rick “Fed Up With My Book!” Perry
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Perry, that book you’d disclaim
Was written by you — you’re to blame.
And it’s new — ink’s not dry.
Yet you’re wondering why
We’re on to your radical game.
Tags: 16th Amendment, Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Fed Up, Income Tax, National Sales Tax, Political Books, Rick Perry, Social Security, Texas, U.S. Constitution
Posted in Books, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, Money & Finance Humor, Political Books, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Rick Perry, Texas Humor, White House, Wingnuts | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
Paul Krugman does a great job pointing out S&P’s chutzpah in downgrading U.S. debt:
America’s large budget deficit is, after all, primarily the result of the economic slump that followed the 2008 financial crisis. And S.& P., along with its sister rating agencies, played a major role in causing that crisis, by giving AAA ratings to mortgage-backed assets that have since turned into toxic waste.
Nor did the bad judgment stop there. Notoriously, S.& P. gave Lehman Brothers, whose collapse triggered a global panic, an A rating right up to the month of its demise. And how did the rating agency react after this A-rated firm went bankrupt? By issuing a report denying that it had done anything wrong.
Limerick Ode To Standard & Poor’s Chutzpah
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Standard & Poor’s, I’m impressed
Cuz you ought to be under arrest.
You caused the recession
With junk bond aggression.
Now you’re pounding your downgrading chest?
Tags: Chutzpah, Credit Downgrade, Economy, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Humor, Junk Bonds, Paul Krugman, Rating Agencies, S&P, Standard & Poor's, U.S. Debt
Posted in Business Humor, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, Money & Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington | 5 Comments »
Monday, August 1st, 2011
Paul Krugman has it exactly right: The President Surrenders. The debt ceiling deal Obama negotiated with the Republican hostage takers is well beyond terrible. And the ransom Obama paid to the GOP is a presidential error beyond comprehension — one that will make today’s bad economy look like fun and games.
What will it do to the poor, the sick, the elderly, the middle class, and the unemployed? I’m way too depressed to discuss it.
Congratulations, Republicans! You’ve got yourself a right-wing Republican President.
Limerick Ode To A Failed Presidency
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, I’ve had it — you’ve failed.
It was time to be strong, but you bailed.
The Dems needed “bold.”
But instead you got rolled.
You’ve undermined all that we hailed.
Tags: Barack Obama, Debt Ceiling, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Obama Surrender, Paul Krugman, Republican Ransom
Posted in Barack Obama, Democrats Humor, Democrats Satire, Fiscal Policy, Money & Finance Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington, White House, Wingnuts | 5 Comments »
Saturday, July 30th, 2011
Yet Another Debt Ceiling Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Republicans love to proclaim
That uncertainty’s bad — that’s their game.
But one thing’s for sure:
Their proposed crisis cure
Leads to chronic uncertainty. Shame!
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Patriotism Humor, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, House Satire, John Boehner, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 3 Comments »
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Not only does Mitt Romney have a bad habit of flip-flopping on issues, but he appears afraid to pick a position on the key issue of the day — the debt ceiling. Does he embrace John Boehner’s debt ceiling plan? Nobody knows (except maybe Mitt’s hairdresser) because Romney refuses to commit:
Limerick Ode To Timid Mitt Romney
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Romney, it’s time to take heed:
The job of a leader’s to lead.
So for once be a man:
Do you back Boehner’s plan?
Not choosing’s a cowardly deed.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, John Boehner, Leadership Humor, Legislation Satire, Mitt Romney, Patriotism Humor, Personal Finance Humor, Presidential Campaign Humor, Republicans Humor
Posted in Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Mitt Romney Humor, Money & Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Here are three more debt ceiling limericks:
Our nation’s in trouble galore,
And the last thing we need is some more.
Yet pols in DC
Feel free to decree
“I shall get what I want. This is war.”
*****
I have many large bills to defray,
But our debt ceiling says we can’t pay.
“Increase me,” it squeals,
But my wife says, “No deals!
We’ll default. It’s the Washington way.”
*****
As the pols in DC vent their spleen
Over actions that should be routine,
Our land’s on the brink
Of a crisis some think
Was created on purpose. Obscene!
*******
Tags: Barack Obama, Debt Ceiling, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Patriotism Humor, Personal Finance Humor, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, John Boehner, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 3 Comments »
Monday, July 25th, 2011
Does John Boehner give a damn about our country? Or is he motivated purely by politics. The answer’s obvious.
John Boehner’s Patriotism Deficit (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
John Boehner has made his aims clear
As the debt ceiling deadline draws near.
Doing good ain’t his role.
“Stop Obama’s” his goal.
What a cavalier, faux budgeteer.
Tags: Barack Obama, Debt Ceiling, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, John Boehner, Legislation Satire, Patriotism Humor, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, John Boehner, Patriotism Poems, Political Limericks, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 2 Comments »
Monday, July 18th, 2011
Obama threatened to veto that cockamamie Republican “cut, cap, and balance” bill.
Limerick Ode To Unbalanced Republicans
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Republicans, please cut your crap.
Enough with your “balance,” “cut,” “cap!”
While you’re busily bashing
Obama, you’re crashing
Our credit and markets. What pap!
Tags: Balanced Budget Amendment, Barack Obama, Budget Limerick, Cut Cap Balance, Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Federal Debt, Fiscal Crisis, GOP Idiocy, Republican Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Legislation Humor, Republicans Humor | 1 Comment »
Saturday, July 16th, 2011
The debt ceiling absolutely, positively must be raised to avoid a fiscal meltdown, and the Republican leadership knows it. But they’re saddled with a bunch of ignorant, “Tea Party” Congress-critters whose votes they desperately need.
Ironically, the job of educating them about debt ceiling realities has fallen to Paul Ryan, the Prince of Budget Misinformation.
Here’s what I’m wondering: The “Tea Party” nuts bought Paul Ryan’s lies. Will they believe him when he speaks the truth?
Paul Ryan, Educator???
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Though the GOP leadership’s tryin’
To get Tea Party votes, they ain’t buyin’,
Cuz they’re itchin’ to spike
Any debt ceiling hike.
Now the burden to school them’s on Ryan.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Economy Satire, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Federal Default, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Humor, GOP Humor, House Republicans, Paul Ryan, Tea Party Members
Posted in Congress Humor, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, Tea Parties, Wingnuts | 7 Comments »
Thursday, July 14th, 2011
Limerick Ode To A Republican Mess
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The debt ceiling battle keeps going,
And the risk of default keeps on growing.
The GOP team
Caused a crisis supreme.
And we’re all sure to reap what they’re sowing.
Tags: Debt Ceiling, Economy, Economy Satire, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Humor, GOP Idiocy, Negotiations, Republicans Humor
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Republicans Humor, Wingnuts | 6 Comments »
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
Are Republicans deliberately undermining and sabotaging the economy and jobs creation to make sure Obama’s a one-term President? Of course they are!
Limerick Ode To Economic Sabotage
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Republican scheme: Block a rally!
Cuz a surge in the job market tally
Helps Obama retain
His prize seat; paycheck pain
Will ensure an Obama finale.
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Satire, Economic Sabotage, Economy Satire, Election Humor, Job Market Humor, Jobs, Presidential Election, Republicans Humor
Posted in 44 Humor, Campaign Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, White House | 4 Comments »
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
I love Mat Miller’s new definition of chutzpah:
Republicans who vote for the Ryan plan that adds trillions in debt and who then say the debt limit goes up only over their dead bodies!
That brings me to my latest Limerick:
How About A Hypocrisy Ceiling?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The GOP debt-ceiling balkers
Are naught but hypocrisy hawkers.
Their plan adds eight trillion
(Not million or billion)
To the debt in a decade — Big Talkers!
Tags: Budget Limerick, Debt Ceiling, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Fiscal Humor, GOP Humor, Matt Miller, Paul Ryan, Republican Hypocrisy
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Legislation Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
For someone who claims we’re broke, John Boehner certainly has some interesting priorities:
House Republicans plan to pay former Solicitor General Paul Clement and his legal team from King & Spaulding as much as $500,000 of taxpayer money to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on behalf of House of Representatives…
As Steve Benen says:
… Boehner has been running around for months, falsely claiming, “We’re broke.” It’s how he justifies proposed cuts in critical areas like education, medical research, infrastructure, job training, and homeland security, even if it makes the jobs crisis much worse.
That brings me to my latest limerick:
DOMA Dollars
By Madeleine Begun Kane
John Boehner asserts that we’re broke,
But wastes cash to please wingnutty folk:
Big taxpayer bucks
On a lawyer deluxe
To save DOMA — for bigots bespoke.
Tags: Bias Humor, Budget Limerick, Defense Of Marriage Act, DOMA, Economy Satire, Gay Marriage, House Satire, John Boehner, King & Spaulding, Law Satire, Paul Clement, Republican Priorities, Wingnuts
Posted in Family Values Humor, Fiscal Policy, Gay Rights, Homophobia, John Boehner, Law Satire, Legal Limericks, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, Wingnuts | 5 Comments »
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
Paul Ryan’s budget plan is both radical and fraudulent. But that doesn’t prevent an astounding number of journalists (who presumably count with their fingers) from treating it with respect and referring to it as “serious” and “bold.”
Limerick Ode To The Math-Challenged Media
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The math-challenged journos who laud
Ryan’s radical plan and applaud,
Say it’s “serious,” “bold,”
But his plan has no hold
On reality — naught but a fraud.
Tags: Budget, Budget Cuts, Fiscal Crisis, Journalism Humor, Limerick, Media Humor, Paul Ryan, Remedial Math
Posted in Fiscal Policy, House Satire, Legislation Humor, Media Satire, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Republicans Humor | 12 Comments »
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
Open Limerick To President Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, I’m shocked and appalled
By your deal-making prowess (so-called).
You could turn a royal flush
Into leftover mush.
Your message? “I love being mauled.”
(Related Post: Premature Concession Syndrome — A Remedial Limerick)
Tags: Budget Cuts, Concessions, Legislation Humor, Negotiations, President Obama
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, White House | 11 Comments »
Thursday, April 7th, 2011
Limerick Ode to A Government Shutdown
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The thought of a government shutdown
Should be quickly, decisively cut down.
But I fear that we’re screwed
Cuz of Washington’s mood:
Boehner’s party has turned into Nut Town.
Tags: Budget Cuts, Budget Limerick, Federal Budget, Federal Jobs, Fiscal Crisis, Government Shutdown, House Republicans, John Boehner, Republicans Humor, Tea Party Members, Washington DC, Wingnuts
Posted in Blame Game, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Government Services, House Satire, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Money & Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington, Wingnuts | 11 Comments »
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
I didn’t think I could do it. But I’ve summed up the Republicans’ radical (Paul Ryan-authored) budget plan in a single haiku:
Republican plan:
End entitlements, send wealth
to entitled rich.
*****
UPDATE: Prompted by a poetry site to include this trio of words in a poem (adamant, fabricate, peculiar) I challenged myself to fit them all into a single haiku:
Republican pols —
peculiarly adamant
fabricators.
Tags: Budget Cuts, Economy Satire, Entitlements, Fiscal Crisis, Political Haiku & Senryu, Republican Plan
Posted in Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Legislation Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Haiku & Senryu, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Wingnuts | 25 Comments »
Saturday, April 2nd, 2011
White House and Congress
bought and managed by donors —
puppet theater.
*****
An epidemic —
political hypocrites —
Today’s GOP.
*****
Unlimited cash
from corporations to pols —
democracy dies.
****
Economic growth
still not translating to jobs —
Republicans shrug.
*****
Republican cuts
to budget sure to kill jobs —
Boehner: “So be it.”
*****
Deliberately
destroying economy
seemed unthinkable.
No longer a silly thought —
GOP election goal.
******
Author’s Note: These haiku and tanka were inspired in part by the following prompts: puppet, epidemic, unlimited, growth, and silly.
Tags: Budget Cuts, Congress Humor, Democracy, Donations, Economy Haiku, Election Humor, Fiscal Crisis, Fund Raising, Jobs, John Boehner, Political Haiku & Senryu, Political Tanka, Republican Hypocrisy
Posted in Congress Humor, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, Hypocrisy Humor, John Boehner, Money & Finance Humor, News Haiku & Senryu, Political Haiku & Senryu, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 28 Comments »
Limerick Ode To The New, Improved Obama
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011This devout progressive has been very hard on Obama lately … and with good reason. But the debt ceiling debacle, liberal anger, and sinking poll numbers seem to have woken him up. Suddenly, Obama is the new, improved, assertive, populist President. And many former fans are welcoming back the President they thought they elected.
So, am I cheering? Well, let’s just say I’m giving Obama guarded applause. For while I like some of his jobs and tax proposals, and I love his newly confident, aggressive tone, I’m not convinced that any of this will last.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Limerick Ode To The New, Improved Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
It fin’ly has dawned on Barack
That with lib’rals he’s lost lots of stock.
His base and foundation
Could be his salvation.
I just hope his new stance ain’t a crock.
Tags: Barack Obama, Jobs, Legislation Humor, Liberals, Progressives, Tax Policy
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Democrats Humor, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington, White House | 4 Comments »