How does this essay show SATIRE????

ODE TO CREDIT CARD DEBT

Nothing matches the excitement of finding a credit card application in the mail, its majestic, postage-paid envelop neatly tucked inside. I already have many cards -- ten or twenty or fifty, of all flavors and colors: Visas, Mastercards, American Expresses, and Dinner's Clubs -- but why not one more? Perhaps this new one will send me some "convenience" checks, so I can conveniently start paying interest as soon as I write a check.
True, my debt already exceeds my yearly income, the equity in my home, and the value of my children in the Asian slave markets, but being in debt is our obligation as citizens. It's good for the economy. It's good for America. Come on -- buy, spend, consume! You don't have to pay for it now.
One of the great evils of communism was that people who lived under it were forbidden credit cards. Before long though, every citizen of Eastern Europe will experience the joy and the freedom of eternal credit card debt -- we'll issue them just as soon as we've raised consumer demand by saturating their new markets with our magazines, television, and music.
And along with the freedom debt grants us, it also keeps us responsible. Why, if I didn't have all those bills, I might just quit my exciting middle entry-level job and the beautifully sterile three-square-foot cubicle that comes with it. I might become a bohemian, I might ask questions, I might think. I might vote.
And, as good as credit card debt is now, it'll only get better. The larger credit card companies, like Citibank, are buying the smaller ones. This will soon lead to monopolies, which can only be good for consumers, because once they no longer have competition, they'll be sure to lower rates and have friendlier policies. And if they bring back annual fees, it'll only add to the value of the card.

Yes... it definitely shows satire/irony. And it is pretty good too.

how does it show satire. what does it mean???

Read these two sites... then see if you can find what the author wants you to think about. If you still have a question, please repost.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/satire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire

i do understand, but is the satire like credit cards are bad for the economy in general???or is it that they are making fun of the government because they take advantage of us?

To determine how this essay shows satire, we need to understand the concept of satire and analyze the elements of satire present in the text.

Satire is a literary technique that uses irony, sarcasm, humor, or ridicule to criticize and expose the shortcomings of individuals, institutions, or society. It often aims to bring about social or political change by highlighting the absurdities, contradictions, or hypocrisy in a humorous way.

In the given essay, titled "Ode to Credit Card Debt," the author employs satire to critique the consumer culture and attitudes towards debt. Here are some elements of satire present in the text:

1. Exaggeration: The author exaggerates their credit card usage by claiming to have an excessive number of cards (ten or twenty or fifty), highlighting the absurdity of accumulating more debt.

2. Irony: The author presents debt as an obligation and a good thing for citizens and America, even though common sense dictates that excessive debt can have negative consequences. This irony points out the faulty logic behind such thinking.

3. Ridicule: The author mocks the idea of "convenience" checks that immediately incur interest, highlighting the deceptive nature of credit card companies and their practices.

4. Criticism of society: The author criticizes the consumer culture by satirically suggesting that debt is necessary for the economy and that citizens must buy, spend, and consume without needing to pay immediately.

5. Social commentary: The essay touches upon the historical context of Eastern European countries transitioning to capitalism and the satirical idea that credit card debt is a measure of freedom and progress.

6. Parody: The author parodies the language used in credit card advertisements, where companies promise better rates and policies after acquiring smaller competitors. This parodic language satirizes the corporate takeover and the false promises made by these companies.

By employing these satirical elements, the essay presents a critique of societal norms, consumerism, and the consequences of debt. It uses humor and exaggeration to shed light on the absurdities of credit card culture and questions the values associated with it.