Obama, McCain Slam Jonathan Swift for Controversial Essay

WASHINGTON, DC - The campaigns of presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama found common ground for the second time this week, agreeing yesterday that Irish writer Jonathan Swift “went too far” in a controversial essay that suggests poor families might ease their economic burdens by selling their children as food for the rich.

Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” first published in 1729 but still widely read and accepted today, argues that “a young healthy child well nursed is, at a year old, a most delicious and wholesome food,” and that, “whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled,” it can provide a rare culinary delight for which wealthy gourmands will pay handsomely.

“Jonathan Swift may think, as one of his editors explained to us, that his essay is a satirical lampoon of failed 18th Century social and economic policies. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive.  Even in these difficult economic times, hard-working American families would never eat their children or sell them as food for rich Republicans like our opponent,” said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.  

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain’s campaign also responded, calling the essay “tasteless and offensive.”  ”We completely agree with the Obama campaign,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in a prepared statement.  ”Cannibalism and infanticide are unfortunate and un-American, and we can’t believe that anyone, except perhaps for Vice President Cheney, would advocate them today.” 

Swift, a former editor of The New Yorker who for years has denied accusations that he bought and ate English children, was unavailable for comment.

Jul 16

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