Michele Bachmann becomes a Swiss citizen, hilarity ensues [CARTOONS]

By Aaron Rupar Wed., May 9 2012 at 2:02 PM

If Michele can't beat "socialists" here at home, she can now join them in Switzerland.

If Michele Bachmann loses her U.S. House seat to Jim Graves this November, she could always try her hand at running for parliament in Switzerland.

That's because on March 19, Bachmann became a Swiss citizen. Her spokeswoman explained that because Marcus Bachmann is of Swiss descent, he and Michele have been eligible for dual citizenship since their wedding in 1978. Minnesota's favorite couple recently decided to pursue dual citizenship after some of their children expressed interest in taking advance of daddy's Swiss-ness.

That got us thinking -- if our parents were Marcus and Michele, we'd probably want to move to Europe as soon as possible too.

As the Huffington Post notes, Michele's dual citizenship comes with a twist of irony. Switzerland has nearly universal health care coverage and mandates that its citizens purchase health insurance. But Bachmann, of course, is one of the most outspoken critics of Obamacare and the individual mandate included in the president's health care initiative.

News of Michele's Swiss citizenship prompted Twin Cities cartoonist and blogger Ken Avidor to go to work. Avidor, who these days is doing some drawing for Crowded Comics, was nice enough to share a couple of his Bachmann-is-a-Swiss-miss cartoons with us.

Here's one from Crowded Comics adorned with a submitted caption. If you think you can do better, check out the site and submit your own:

And here's another of Marcus and Michele enjoying each other's company in the Swiss foothills:

The news also elicited some LOL-worthy tweets. Here's a collection of some choice ones:

Michele Bachmann now a citizen of Switzerland. The hills are alive with the sound of insanity. on.cc.com/Jt5qMw
-- Indecision (@indecision) May 9, 2012

I really don't care if Michele Bachmann moves to Iowa or Switzerland. Indeed, I encourage either or both.
-- Jeff Fecke (@jkfecke) May 9, 2012

"@HuffPostPol: Michele Bachmann is now a citizen of Switzerland huff.to/JdE6Ef" Swiss like blowing hot air. They call it yodelling.
-- Dara Hayes (@71dara) May 9, 2012

Michele Bachmann rails against socialism then willingly becomes a citizen of a democratically socialist nation?#resign
-- kim jossfolk (@shoegal90) May 9, 2012

So Michele Bachmann decides to become a citizen of Switzerland- where they offer universal healthcare. #awkward
-- Mo Saqib (@Mo_Saqib) May 9, 2012

After GOP Cong Bachmann claims dual citizenship w/ Switzerland, her Dem opponent Jim Graves says his family "proud to be American".
-- Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) May 9, 2012

Surely you'll be shocked to learn there aren't any Tea Partiers in the Swiss parliament. Could Michele export the ~~revolution~~ floundering movement she's identified with to Europe? As entertaining as her running for elected office in Europe would be, we kinda doubt it.

Tags:

dual citizenship, Marcus Bachmann, Switzerland

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Kirk the Conservative Jerk

Oh Michele, tell us what you see coming.

Here is a tidbit that came out of an Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims back in 2005

The U.S. Department of State, which does not formally recognize dual citizenship, aptly noted that ``dual nationals owe allegiance to both United States and the foreign country.''

Kirk the Conservative Jerk

I say Michele must forgo any intelligence committees she currently sits on.Didn't Arnold Shwartzeniggar have dual citizenship?Oh ya, Rahm Emmanuel also has dual citizenship and served in the Israeli Army on some capacity. Then a couple years later Rahm sat in the White House with Bill Clinton, and more recently as top adviser for Obama. Does Rahm still have his Israeli citizenship? Many countries do not allow dual citizenship; Japan, Norway, Denmark, Egypt to name a few.

I've been dabbling in the idea of scoping out foreign countries to move to in the event of the collapse of the dollar. It ain't gonna happen tomorrow. It ain't gonna happen next month or even next year. It's coming people, unless we can change direction in federal spending...

Mitch Connor

Wait, I didn't say Marcus was Swiss, I said he was a swish!

E K

I'm sure if her last name were Lopez and she was a dual citizen of Paraguay then all of this talk would be racist.

Decievious Leroy Johnston Jr.

Well, Aaron, you have made a very clear case that you hate Michelle, considering that you write about her constantly. But I understand. I hate Mark Zuckerberg. I personally think he is a moron. Everything he says is just plain stupid. But deep down, the real reason why I hate him.....is that he pays more in taxes in one week than I'll ever earn in a lifetime. Must be the same reason why you hate Michelle. She is a multi-millionaire while you are a columnist at an Alternative Weekly. I bet with your salary, you'll never be able to go and visit Switzerland..........

ludwigtr

Some people are happy with things other than money. I realize conservatives can't wrap their brains around that, but it's true. Just because you hate people that make more money than you doesn't mean that other people do. It just means you are a spiteful asshole. I don't want money to make me happy, and in fact I know it doesn't. It really shows a lot about a person when they hold money in such a high regard though... I used to dislike you and your comments...now I just feel sorry for you.

It's good that you can acknowledge your jealousy though. That's the first step I suppose. Keep exploring that, you may develop some humanity... That or speak to a therapist, they might be able to help with that whole sociopath thing...

Gabbycat

Yeah, poor people are horrible! Also, don't tip servers because low wage people need to learn their lesson for not being rich. Because being rich obviously shows your moral superiority.

Mn Voter

Yeah, just like Nancy Pelosi and Obama!

ludwigtr

You don't tip Nancy Pelosi and Obama?

effeminate dad

Good. Since she won't be here as often, hopfully City Pages will find a new MN whore to constantly dote on.

ludwigtr

yeah yeah...she's an easy target...but seriously, she's SUCH an easy target!

the seal

Here is the logic: As Michele wont be the next prez, and she is sure Romney the cultist will certainly loose, she will have to get out of the old US of A cause everybody knows it will become facistsocilistcommie land the day after the election and the black helicopters will be there to take everybodys guns and make em marry somebody of the same sex, and all that stuff.

That and its easier to keep a bank account secret if you are a Swiss citizen.