As you have said in your author's note, this piece is very Colbert-influenced and uses this influence in a very appropriate style. Deadpan always makes me laugh. You may want to revise the first paragraph; a tonal shift from serious to satirical is (usually) not a smooth one unless the serious section is very short.

This was really cool and fun to read. I love reading satire because of how subtle it can be and also how obvious it can be. I know it doesn't make any sense but this was a great essay to read.