Wednesday, Aug. 16, is the annual National Tell a Joke Day. Americans sure could use more levity right now.
So we’re taking a break from our weekly tradition of asking readers for their opinions on serious issues. Instead of a normal Question of the Week, we’re asking you to share your favorite political joke.
By “political,” we really mean anything related to current events. And by “joke,” we mean any funny story, one-liner or quip. It could be your own or a clever line from a comedian, commentator or politician. Remember that it should fit within our 150-word limit for a letter to the editor — in any case, brevity is the soul of wit.
It could be an old joke that still fits today, as many political jokes do. Think of Will Rogers’ line: “I belong to no organized party. I’m a Democrat.” (One piece of advice: “My congressman is a joke” is not, in itself, a joke.)
Stand-up comedy, satire, cartoons, movies, TV sitcoms, late-night monologues, sketch shows and mock news shows are only the common modern forms of comedy that not only entertain, but also can get to the truth about a politician or issue in a way that serious commentary can’t.
Politicians sometimes get into the act themselves. Humor, especially self-deprecating humor, can be an endearing quality in a powerful person. Most of our best presidents could deliver a joke.
The lines between politics and comedy might be blurred now more than ever. Comedy writer and performer Al Franken now is a U.S. senator. When White House spokesman Sean Spicer resigned, many mourned the apparent end of Melissa McCarthy’s portrayals of Spicer on “Saturday Night Live.” Comedians who are seen to have gone too far have themselves become fodder for political commentary. Many people say they get their news from listening to comedy shows.
We’d like to hear your opinion of political humor today.
But mostly, we’d like to hear your favorite joke.
Email it to letters@ocregister.com. Please include your full name and city or community of residence. Provide a daytime phone number. Or, if you prefer, share your views in the comments section that accompanies this article online.
We’ll publish as many responses as possible.