Week of December 14

Globalization means that no one's job will be safe until President Trump or President Sanders stamps out free trade. Not even Santa's.

Here Comes Sancho, Sanja, Shanghai Claus
[ Here Comes Santa Claus ]

From the special holiday album Barackin' Around The Christmas Tree (2009)

Week of December 7

President Obama rejected selectively profiling Americans based on religion in his speech last night, while Republican presidential candidates have been calling for much closer scrutiny of potential terrorists and more effective surveillance. How about just tracking everyone? Private databases like that already exist.

Santa Claus Is Tracking You Down
[ Santa Claus Is Coming to Town ]

From the special holiday album Weiner Wonderland (2011) — available exclusively on-line at iTunes and Amazon.

Week of November 30

The GOP senators running for president have serious policy disagreements over privacy, security, and wiretapping. Ted Cruz sponsored the USA Freedom Act, which Rand Paul tried (and failed) to filibuster and which Marco Rubio tried (and failed) to delay. But even though the NSA's authority to conduct bulk phone surveillance supposedly ended yesterday, a few technicalities mean it's not shredding records of your phone calls just yet.

I'll Be Watching You
[ Every Breath You Take ]

See a live performance on YouTube. From the album How to Succeed in Congress Without Really Lying (2014).

Week of November 23

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was lucky to get captured by the Taliban and not by Donald Trump. According to Trump, the U.S. military should have summarily executed the "dirty, rotten traitor." Really? Republicans in Congress were already on the case, but they don't know war like Donald: "I'm really good at war. I love war in a certain way, but only when we win." It looks like Trump gets his facts from the same detective service we always use.

Detective Story: Bowe Bergdahl
[ From the files of H.J. Bissell ]

Week of November 16

Marco Rubio has been getting more and more heat and skepticism for his past positions on immigration now that he's raising his profile in the debates and his standing in the polls. Sen. Rubio used to be one of the most immigration-friendly Republicans. Now that his GOP colleagues accuse him of cheap talk and even conspiracy, the Senator's only friends are south of the border...

Livin' la Vida Marco
[ Livin' la Vida Loca ]

From the album How to Succeed in Congress Without Really Lying (2014).

Week of November 9

Canada's new prime minister wants a "fresh start" with President Obama, who just killed the Keystone XL Pipeline project that liberal Justin Trudeau supported. Obama already reversed Congressional approval with a rare veto, and now he hopes to have buried the pipeline for good.

Ain't No Pipeline
[ Ain't No Sunshine ]

See a live performance on YouTube. From the album Mock the Vote (2015).

Week of November 2

Open enrollment season begins, and millions of Americans are reviewing their healthcare options. Employees with private insurance often face confusing choices. For those counting on Obamacare, it'll be easier this year. With some insurers leaving the marketplace, others hiking rates, red states rejecting Medicaid expansion, and co-ops collapsing, there will be fewer choices to confuse you when bargain shopping on HealthCare.gov. And those technical problems? Officials claim that this year's site will be 40% faster than last year's.

I Don't Know How to Login
[ I Don't Know How to Love Him ]

From our album, How to Succeed in Congress Without Really Lying (2014).

Week of October 26

Last week Hillary got everything she wanted. She survived the Benghazi interrogation in Congress, she didn't lose any more revealing e-mails, and her biggest rival dropped out of contention for the 2016 Democratic nomination.

Get Out Joe
[ Let It Go ]

From our new album, Mock the Vote (2015).