Andy Borowitz is the author of the satirical news column The Borowitz Report in The New Yorker. He is the first-ever winner of the National Press Club award for humor. He has been praised by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times as one of the country’s finest satirists. In his book Profiles in Ignorance Borowitz suggests that in spite of excellent educations, many of the politicians of the last 50 years have grown increasingly allergic to knowledge and instead play to the mass media, thus electing candidates that are more suited to performing than they are to thinking.
Borowitz is critical of candidates of both parties. However, his satirical comments towards Sarah Palin and Dan Quayle are evident in the detail that he provides for their lack of knowledge of history, geography, science and math in interviews and debates. However, he gives Quayle credit as the voice of reason when Mike Pence seeks his advice on January 6, 2021. Dan reminded Mike that he has no flexibility but to perform his vice president’s ceremonial duty and listen to the parliamentarian. Ultimately, Mike Pence saved our democratic process.
Borowitz opines that the braking system of democracy is in ragged condition right now. However it is still there and it works. He states that the brakes work when people vote, he encourages people to attend town meetings and be involved in their local politics. He states that “we are the brakes”.
While you may not agree with all of his views, you will find yourself laughing as he reminds you of comical situations that you may have forgotten or didn’t know about when they happened. The book ends with a call to action and a cause for optimism.