How is satire an effective literary tool for an author to comment on the world around them?

Satire is one of the truly unique literary elements in
that, those who do it, do it well, and those who don't, don't touch
it.

Satire is a method of commenting (or in many cases,
complaining) about society, politics, leadership, or generally, anything affecting the
public that doesn't make sense, in a darkly humorous, and often subtly offensive way. 
Satire has the ability to offend and tickle an audience at the same time.  This is why
it is so effective when done well.  Satire is never executed without a clear message
intended from the outset.  Then, that message is delivered in a slightly less-clear
package.

Typically, in order to take a serious subject and
make a serious comment on it in a way that comes across with a note of humor, the author
has to succeed in a couple of areas.  He or she must be intelligent, well read and
informed, and relevant.  Finally, the author must be passionate about what he or she
believes.  When we think of satire in the classics, we think of Mark Twain,
automatically.  But even in our modern world, satire continues to thrive in television
(with shows like Saturday Night Live and Family Guy) and in print (publications like
The Onion).

It continues to be a small
and elite club, both on the sides of those who do it and those who understand it.  I
don't believe satire is something that is practiced and mastered.  I really believe it
is something that is innate and then honed to perfection.  This is the final reason it
will continue to be effective, because it will never become commonplace nor
cliche.