Political Humor

The late author and wit Jim Reed, one of JN's first consulting editors, had a lifetime collection of political humor which he passed on to JN.

The Joyful Noiseletter has always been nonpolitical, favoring no political party. Jesus was nonpolitical, and never asked a person's political opinions before healing them.

But here are some of Jim Reed's gems, from those long-ago days when politicians had a sense of humor:

"Washington has two kinds of politicians – those trying to get an investigation started, and those trying to get one stopped."

‒ Jim Reed

After a speech on politics at Yale, a college student asked President Harry Truman, "How do I start in politics, sir?"

Truman replied: "You've already started. You're spending someone else's money, aren't you?"

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"

‒ President Ronald Reagan

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."

‒ Groucho Marx

"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts."

‒ Will Rogers

When a heckler threw a head of cabbage at President William Howard Taft during a political speech, Taft paused, looked at the cabbage, and said, "I see that one of my opponents has lost his head."

"To err is human. To blame it on the other party is politics."

‒ David Brinkley

"It's too bad that all the people who know how to run the government are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair."

‒ George Burns

" If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."

‒ President Harry S. Truman

"Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even when there is no river."

‒ Nikita S. Khrushchev
Russian premier

"It is strange that when it comes to electing a President we get two choices, but when we select a Miss America we get 50."

‒ Jay Leno