I came across this on the internet today and couldn't resist posting it to the blog. Parliament of Whores is one of my favorite books and this may be my favorite example of P.J. O'Rourke at the top of his game... if you've never read it, you're in for a treat... and if you have read it, it's probably something we should all reread now and then. At any rate, it was worth a quick "cut and paste."

GOD IS A REPUBLICAN / SANTA CLAUS IS A DEMOCRAT
From Parliament of Whores By P.J. O’Rourke

I have only one firm belief about the American political system, and that is this: God is a Republican and Santa Claus is a Democrat.

God is an elderly or, at any rate, middle-aged male, a stern fellow, patriarchal rather than paternal and a great believer in rules and regulations. He holds men strictly accountable for their actions. He has little apparent concern for the material well-being of the disadvantaged. He is politically connected, socially powerful and holds the mortgage on literally everything in the world. God is difficult. God is unsentimental. It is very hard to get into God's heavenly “country club.”

Santa Claus is another matter. He's cute. He's non-threatening. He's always cheerful. And he loves animals. He may know who's been naughty and who's been nice, but he never does anything about it. He gives everyone everything they want without thought of a quid pro quo. He works hard for charities, and he's famously generous to the poor.

Santa Claus is preferable to God in every way but one: There is no such thing as Santa Claus.

Permalink -- Posted by Darrell at 12:26