Parody doesn’t exist anymore. It makes me sad. I love good parody but it is impossible to produce in American culture. The “news” is now a compilation of absurd rhetoric. I’m not exaggerating. That would constitute a kind of parody which, as I said, is impossible in America.

Case in point, this article in Mad magazine Time magazine. Years ago, this article could have passed for a satirical essay. In the days when the average American had a functioning brain and the ability to detect irony, statements like this would invoke laughter:

“Now more than ever, at a time of unprecedented polarization, it’s important that voters think beyond political party. Republicans don’t have to become Democrats — they should just consider voting for one this year. Voters of faith should set aside their personal interests and predilections and instead prioritize the common good for all.”

Robb Ryerse – in Time magazine – not intended as a joke

LOL

Polarization is rampant in professional sports too. Now more than ever, it’s important that sports fans think beyond individual teams. Cubs fans don’t have to become Yankees fans – they should just consider buying season tickets and cheering for them.

The primary thing that differentiates Republicans from Democrats is the way they vote. In fact, that’s really the ONLY significant difference. Everything else is just blather.

Me: Are you a Republican?
You: Yes. In every way except how I vote.
Me: …um…
You: I agree with Republican policies but I vote for Democrats.
Me: …um…why?
You: For the common good of all.

LOL

“Voters of faith” should set aside their personal predilections. Hilarious! This would be fantastic parody. Did you know, it is your personal predilection that I should set aside my personal predilection?

This will blow your mind. I’m already prioritizing the common good when I vote. If I was only concerned for my personal interests, any candidate that promised to give me free snack cakes and WiFi would get my vote.

I don’t vote for snack cakes for several reasons.
1) Too much sugar is bad for me.
2) Free snack cakes don’t exist (somebody pays for them).
3) All my fellow citizens don’t like snack cakes.

But without a doubt, my favorite, totally not satirical bit of satire was this:

“…Donald Trump made history…as the first U.S. president to attend March for Life…Trump’s decision to attend was motivated by politics.”

Robb Ryerse – in Time magazine – still not trying to be funny

LOL

SHOCKING! – Politicians are motivated by politics! And while I share your outrage, I don’t think there’s any way to remove politics from the political process. I expect politics will continue to be a major influence of politics.

Robb Ryerse (the author of the article that’s not hilarious because parody is no longer possible) is, according to a website, “…the author of Fundamorphosis: How I Left Fundamentalism But Didn’t Lose My Faith, the story of his theological transformation.” I’ll bet that book would be a hoot if not for the tragic reality that satire doesn’t exist.

Believing you can finesse “voters of faith” into voting against their consciences requires an exceptional amount of conceit. You have to believe people of faith are not only motivated by politics, but hopelessly stupid. Believe it or not – many, many, many, many, MANY, people sincerely believe that abortion is wrong. They aren’t going to change their minds because Donald Trump says stupid things sometimes.

Some people even cast votes based SOLELY on politics. They don’t consider the opinions of leftist pastors.