How to Write Political Jokes That Don’t Become Reality Six Months Later

The Cassandra Complex

In today’s political climate, your absurd joke today becomes tomorrow’s policy proposal. Here’s how to stay ahead of the reality curve.

Step 1: Avoid Policy Details

Bad joke: “What if we built a border wall but made it out of student debt?” (This could actually be proposed.) Good joke: “What if we built a border wall but made it out of the hopes and dreams of millennials?”

Step 2: Make It Logistically Impossible

“The president announced a new plan to solve inflation by making everyone Prime members.”

Step 3: Include Talking Animals

“Senator Turtle-Man filibusters sunlight bill, claims it’s ‘woke weather.'”

Advanced Techniques

1. The ‘Time Travel Test’

If your joke would have worked in 1776, it’s too universal to backfire. “Taxation without representation? More like taxation without… okay this one still hurts.”

2. The ‘Alien Perspective’

“Human political system seems to involve putting oldest members in charge, then being surprised they don’t understand technology.”

3. The ‘Literal Metaphor’

“Congress passed a bill officially declaring the emperor has no clothes. Fashion lobbyists outraged.”

Conclusion

The only foolproof political joke is one about how all political jokes become reality. Wait, no – that’ll probably happen too.