The nation’s budget and finances was always a focus for the late Senator since he wanted to ensure that something like the Great Depression never happened again in his lifetime. Having lived through the Dust Bowl era, Senator Dole was keenly aware that changes needed to be made to economic policy and often went back and forth on whether he supported the policy of the current president. His constituents trusted that he would always have their best financial interests in mind, although that didn’t stop one from sending him a baseball bat in the mall with “Cut Spending Now” marked on it. Many of these satirical political games and toys are meant to poke fun at those in power, something Senator Dole was known for with his dry sense of humor.

Discussion Questions

• How has comedy played a role in politics?

  • Do objects like this influence how people view certain policies?

• Are these objects what you traditionally think of when you picture a museum object?

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