In this season of political comedy -- some intentional, some not -- I think of earlier humorists who've commented on life, human nature and our shared lot as a nation.
Archy the cockroach was created in 1916 by New York journalist and author Don Marquis. Archy and his friend Mehitabel the alley cat came into the newsroom after hours to talk about this 'n that. Archy wrote things down, sometimes in verse, by jumping on the keys of a typewriter (remember those?). Archy couldn't use capital letters, because it was physically impossible for him to hold down the shift key and a letter key at the same time.
Marquis and his friends left us a variety of pithy sayings. One in particular may resonate with some folks today: "When a man tells you he got rich through hard work, ask him: 'Whose?' "
Irish barkeep Mr. Dooley was created around the turn of the century by Chicago journalist Finley Peter Dunne. Mr. Dooley approached life with a wary eye and a ready quip. He is the one who famously said, "Trust everybody but cut the cards."
He also said that the mission of newspapers was to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." The quote was later adopted by several religious leaders, including one archbishop of Canterbury, who said it described the mission of the church. Has any other image migrated so far from its roots?
Mr. Dooley is perhaps best remembered for saying, "Politics ain't beanbag." In his Chicago, then as now, politics were not for the faint of heart. But the notion has broader pertinence, as we have seen over the past few months.
The Republicans have held the spotlight so far. We could say their search for a presidential nominee has maintained the decorum of a soccer riot, except that a soccer riot displays greater clarity of purpose and method.
Mitt Romney has wanted for years to be president but still struggles to explain why. Rick Santorum seems to think the presidency is a position in a religious order.
The aim of Ron Paul's little campaign is mysterious, unless he hopes through sheer persistence to create a niche for amiable crackpots.
Newt Gingrich wants (as ever) what Newt wants, and devil take the hindmost.
While the Republicans' extended train wreck saves comedy writers a lot of work, it is not a happy development for the nation. Well into a presidential election year, we have heard nothing resembling a fully formed discussion of the decisions facing the country. The Republican candidates have largely settled for calling each other boobs and scoundrels. Those who've occasionally peeked above their fray have directed the same kind of twaddle at President Obama.
The spectacle must especially disappoint people who value the contributions thoughtful conservatism can make to governance.They may remember a time when conservative politicians could have dignity and substance. If Don Marquis were alive to assess today's Republican candidates, he might say again: "An idea is not responsible for those who believe it."
Among humorists I've always liked Will Rogers, the cowboy sage of the '20s and '30s. He could be funny and dispense a kind of prairie wisdom at the same time. Ol' Will once said, "Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously, and the politicians as a joke."
I guess he was smiling when he said it. He usually did.
In any case, he's probably looking down on us now and considering that things haven't changed so much after all.
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