Product Description

Whichever political party you call your own, you'll laugh out loud and feel that your side comes out just a little bit better...

Examples: You know you're a Republican if...You wouldn't mind if the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seceded from the Union. You know you're a Democrat if...You wish the Republic of Texas had never become a state.

You know you're a Republican if...You think Colin Powell might make a good President, if he weren't black. You know you're a Democrat if...You think Colin Powell might make a good President, if he weren't conservative.

You know you're a Republican if...You can't stand your gay uncle, but you invite him to your son's wedding because he's rich. You know you're a Democrat if...You can't stand your rich uncle, but you invite him to your daughter's graduation party because he's gay.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129518 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

About the Author
Frank Benjamin is the pen name for a VP of marketing of an online university. He swears that at least one Republican governor does have a sense of humor (but admits that might be because she's a woman). You Know You're a Republican/Democrat if... is his first book. He lives in Utah.

Customer Reviews

Both Sides Take Well-Deserved Humorous Heat
When I picked up "You Know You're a Republican/Democrat If..." I expected a collection of off-color, just the usual "I hate Bush," or "Kerry's just a rich liberal" puns. I thought, given the title, the writer, like Jeff Foxworthy in his redneck series, just picked low-hanging fruit.

It is quite witty. Some jokes are reiterations of ones heard on Leno and Letterman, redone in the "You know you're a" style, but others are current, fresh and funny.

I tried to guess the writer's political leaning, but the jokes are well-balanced. He honestly pokes fun at whatever his side is, and thoroughly jabs the other. My hat is off to him for not revealing who will get his vote.

Ironically, left side of each spread is a Republican joke, and the right side is a Democrat joke.

Some of the jokes are based on simple stereotypes, like, "You know you're a Republican if... you think Florida election officials are fair and unbiased. You know you're a Democrat if you think 'fair Florida elections' is a contradiction in terms."

Other jokes show keen wit, and understanding of the deeper philosophical differences and inadequacies between each party and their adherents, like, "You know you're a Republican if you've thought about becoming a Libertarian, but have trouble with their philosophical support of prostitution, gay marriage, and uninhibited personal freedom. You know you're a Democrat if you've thought about becoming a Libertarian, but have trouble with their support of free trade." Another: "You know you're a Republican if you prove your racial sensitivity by saying 'gracias' to your gardener. You know you're a Democrat if you're strongly committed to racial equality even if you don't personally know anyone of a different race."

Two of my favorites is, "You know you're a Republican if you're afraid of the IRS. You know you're a Democrat if you're afraid of the FBI," and "You know you're a Republican if you support George W. Bush's plan to put a man on Mars. You know you're a Democrat if you want that man to be George W. Bush."

Maybe the gem in the whole book is "You know you're a Republican if you think Colin Powell might make a good President, if he wasn't black. You know you're a Democrat if you think Colin Powell might make a good President, if he wasn't conservative."

This is a book worth stocking in the bathroom, or for reading aloud on trips. Both sides take some heat, so no will be offended.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Clever writing makes for humorous & unique book
It may not be "gut-buster" humor, but I found myself (and others) making punctuated outbursts of laughter, delight and recognition while reading through the book. It cleverly portrays the knee-jerk-stereotypes, which are so ingrained in the Republican / Democrat ideology, as to make each feel the other is getting roasted while one's own camp gets off relatively easy! If truth is in the eye of the beholder, this work shows each one of us as being oblivious to our own biases and the assumptions underlying them...which is pretty laughable!

Guaranteed To Put A Smile On Your Face
I received this book as a gift this Christmas and let me say that is was one of the funniest I have received is some time. I tend to be what some might call a political junkie and this book takes a nice shot right at the overly partisan and greatly increased sense of importance me and my fellow political geeks have placed on the differences between the Dem's and the GOP. If you are strongly in the one of two camps and have a thin skin, then you will probably only like half of this book, but if you can sit back and laugh at the extreme view of the political masses today, then this book will put a smile on your face.

The format is a two sided take off of the funny "You know you are a red neck if.." series. If I have one criticism is that the book was just too short. Thirty minutes is about all you need to read the book and I finished thinking that the author could have done so much more. For example he stayed away from jokes on any particular political figures. Then again the books gives you just what it claims, light humor that is perfect for any politically focused friend or family member. Buy it and prepare to laugh.