April Fool's Day

My grandmother-in-law has a joke she loves to tell about her husband's fondness for pulling pranks on April first. Their names are Jan, Kurt, and Harold--all born on New Year's Day. Now that's a woman's sense of humor.
Pranks are a charming part of being human. Granted, like every other good thing about humanity it can become an evil if it isn't carefully guided by love and good sense, but with those guardians in place there is nothing lovelier than a surprise. Even when the joke's on you and your own foibles have been exposed, the fact that these people still show up to be with you in spite of those foibles is a gift to embrace. To be loved in spite of yourself is the most gratifying of all satisified cravings.
Planning pranks is the best part. Of course, I love planning anything, but a good prank that lightens the hearts of all involved is especially pleasurable to lay out. Begin with the untouchable, the sacred sore spot no one is willing to deal with, but everyone is aggravated about. Something like Social Security only on a much smaller scale. Determine a course of action that will capitalize on the tension surrounding the untouchable, but not harm either of the groups at the ends of the rope. The idea is to simply sit them on their butts in the mud by unexpectedly cutting the rope. Surrounding the prank with opportunities for goodwill to be expressed by both sides is important as well. Both groups have to feel valued and understood.
Let's explore a practical example. Begin by getting Harry Reid to express a willingness to consider new ideas for suring up Social Security. Be certain to get a good picture of yourself in the Post with him when he does so. Follow up by getting Dennis Hastert to promise that he will do his utmost to guarantee Social Security benefits to all Americans for all time. Get him to do so on Meet the Press while you are also a guest. Then introduce a bill to Congress requiring that Americans be euthanized at the age of 65 unless they can provide for their own retirement. When all the war machines are just about cranked up to full pitch congratulate them on their strenuous efforts on behalf of all Americans and the Social Security program. And say the magic words, April Fool.
I'm sure our practical example has brought to light all the potential pit-falls that await the prankster. Pulling off a prank of that magnitude would require major political capital and extrordinary strength in your relationships with the Senate Minority Leader and the Speaker of the House, but if you had those things in your favor, think of the good it could do. Somewhere in your life you do possess that kind of political capital and strong relationships, and you could use today as an opportunity to help warring friends recover their good humor. Blame it on the spirit of Puck that possesses April Fool's Day.