Obama & The New Yorker Magazine

Satire or caricature is at its funniest when it is nearest the truth or its possibility of truth. And so the latest New Yorker magazine cover of Barack Obama dressed in traditional African-Kenyan clothing joined by Michelle clad in a circa 1960s urban guerilla outfit meet the test of funny and near and or truthful caricature/satire. It is truthful in an over-the-top depiction and scores a laugh for the non-PC hungry . The setting is in the Oval Office. The fireplace has a burning American flag that is below a hanging picture of Osama bin Laden. The Obamas are fist-butting in a sly fashion.

Some were scandalized and shocked. But anyone who can't stand the truth of caricature probably can't stand truth in many other forms either. And that includes the Obamas. All races have caricatures or stereotypical images. The only race that resents caricature to the point of private organizations that expose and badger critical observers are the Jews. And for all their protests they are still going extinct.

A Spoiled White Man, A Yenta & A Pickaninny

Why does America's politics produce so many caricatures? Is it the combination of the great wealth of this country coupled with an increasingly leisure-seeking and dumber electorate? The great wealth allows full implimentation of the best and worst policies. And the dumber electorate requires ever more stark choice at the ballot box because the voters "don't want to bother or get nuance".

Example? How about the exchange yesterday between Senator Barbara Boxer and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Senator Boxer is a yenta, a meddlesome Jewess. Secretary Rice is a pickaninny, a diminutive African-American who is in over her head. They were debating the future of the failed U.S. colonial adventure in Iraq. This failed policy is still being advocated by the spoiled white man who is also our President George W. Bush. This is the moron who undoubtedly has not let historical experience enter into his decision and planning processes.

In a non-political occupation, I doubt that this threesome could wield the power or earn the money that American politics affords them. So? Instead of enabling monstrous caricatures, the power and money flow to Washington should be reveresd. More of the power and money should stay in the states and local governments. This way U.S. politics will create smaller and less harmful caricatures.