Flying Pigs?

(Image/Courtesy of www.nickpeall.com)

If you're watching Congress then you've noticed something strange;

Senators and Members have been working (for a change.)

They confirmed Loretta Lynch and even passed a bill.

Maybe they've remembered why we sent them to the Hill.

Maybe easy votes will get the Congress on a roll,

Help them focus on their jobs and not on how they'll poll.

Could it be they're ready to give compromise a try?

Maybe Congress isn't broken...  Maybe pigs can fly.

The 114th Congress - Is There A Pill For That?

I can't seem to focus on domestic politics,

'though aware Republicans are up to their old tricks.

Once again, they voted to repeal Obama Care.

Still not working on the common goals both parties share.

GOP is passing bills the President won't sign,

Parroting their talking points - the Grand Old Party's line:

"This is all Obama's fault. Blame everything on him."

Prospects for a compromise on anything are grim.

So, I've been ignoring them in hopes they'll go away.

Winter blues are setting in; the sky's already gray.

If I paid attention to the antics on The Hill

First I'd need my doctor to prescribe a "happy pill."

I Need Chocolate

 

All the recent news I'm hearing's making me depressed;

Even my New England Patriots have left me stressed.

It's become an effort just to shower and get dressed;

I can't seem to focus on the many ways I'm blessed.

News about how badly poor Nigeria's been led;

Watching their Northeast collapse - with thousands lying dead...

Hard to get atrocities like that out of my head.

It all has me feeling like I should have stayed in bed.

Seeing Congress try to pass another pointless bill;

Posturing and pandering (as politicians will)

It's become a pain to watch their antics on the Hill...

All these woes of humankind have left me kinda ill.

Think I'll watch The Cooking Channel; it might help my mood.

Chocolate does wonders for a rotten attitude.

Since I cannot change it and it doesn't help to brood

I'll ignore the world and just start focusing on food.

The State of the Union - A Re-Cap in Rhyme

(Photo/LadyLiberty.com)

Nation watched the President tell Congress how we are;

Said that, in the last five years, we've all come pretty far.

Companies are hiring, the Market's through the roof;

Cited recent studies, gave examples, offered proof.

Wasn't soaring oratory, more a laundry list.

Made a plea to Congress just before he slapped their wrist;

Said he wants to work together but he also will

Act, at times, to circumvent opponents on the Hill.

He was not antagonistic towards the GOP

But he made it very clear; that's how it's gonna be.

I can't really blame Obama...  What else can he do?

When he asked for 40 things last year they gave him 2.

And the 2 he got he didn't get without a fight...

Every single bill faced opposition from the Right.

Maybe immigration will lure folks across the aisle;

Congress working as it should...  Ain't seen that in a while.

Adios Immigration Reform

"No."  Speaker Boehner won't allow the Senate's bill on immigration reform to come to a vote in the House of Representatives because a small majority of Republicans are opposed. (Photo/Metro.US)

Once again, the People's Will gets to the House and dies

And another opportunity slips by those guys.

"No," said Speaker Boehner.  "Senate's Bill won't get a vote."

Says there are provisions in it that will never float.

Boehner says that House Republicans are gonna write

Their own version of a bill...  Its future isn't bright.

GOP is fine with longer fences, extra guards;

But a path to citizenship isn't in the cards.

Democrats insist that path has got to be a part

Of an Immigration Bill, so it's doomed from the start.

Speaker Boehner's stance on this has made the outlook grim.

Wish he'd give the Senate's Bill a chance to sink or swim.

When Hell Freezes

I hope college students had their loans all set to go;

Locked in rates at 3.4...  They've doubled since, you know.

Now the rate is 6.8 to take a college loan.

Meanwhile, Congress only seems to bicker, bitch and moan.

Students will already spend a fortune for degrees.

They need help from Senators but I fear hell will freeze

Before there is compromise from Members on the Hill;

That's when we'll see action out of Congress...  Not until.

The Writing on the Wall is in Spanish

Photo/PBS.org

Senate looks like it might pass an Immigration Bill...

Hallelujah! They'll accomplish something on the Hill.

Gang of 8 is hoping to get more than 60 votes.

I wish them success...  Although, my inner cynic notes

Not until the demographics hit them on the head

Did Republicans see where their opposition led.

It still took an extra 20,000 border guards,

Longer fences, no gay-partner immigration cards,

Before they could pry enough supporters from the Right...

And, there's still the House to get through; voting could be tight,

This time though, it looks as if the bill is gonna pass.

GOP's afraid that they'll be voted out en masse.

President Obama says he'll sign it right away.

Thousands of our immigrants will get the chance to stay.

'though it won't solve every problem it still fixes some.

In D.C. you count your wins no matter how they come.

Nobody Likes a Budget

President Obama and his Acting Budget Director, Jeffrey Zients. ( Photo/Pete Souza/White House)

President Obama sent his budget to The Hill.

This time it's the Democrats his big ideas don't thrill.

Not to say Republicans are happy with the thing,

But the words that Liberals are using have to sting.

House put out a budget, too.  The Senate has its own...

Difficulties reconciling can't be overblown.

President Obama made attempts to compromise.

Now we'll get to see if Speaker Boehner even tries.

No one's really happy; that's how compromises work.

(I'm ignoring Mitch McConnell - I think he's a jerk.)

I sure hope No Labels and the Gangs of 6 and 8

Keep on making progress, 'cause the hour groweth late.

The 113th Congress and the Newtown Parents

Newtown parents joined the President on Air Force One,

Vowing they will never rest until their battle's won;

Flying down to Washington to lobby on the Hill;

Fighting for reforms the NRA would like to kill.

Universal background checks which, most of us agree,

Make good sense and is a measure we'd all like to see

May not pass the Senate which will, seemingly, ignore

Changes that the vast majority are asking for.

How did things get so messed up that it's the NRA

With the only voice that seems to ever get a say?

Newtown parents - those who've buried daughters, wives, and sons -

Speak with more authority on legislating guns.

Massachusetts Senate Debates

R.D. Sahl moderated the 2 debates last night. He did a great job.  (Photo/Steve Senne/AP)

Massachusetts has itself an open Senate seat

Now that Kerry's left the Hill and moved up to C Street.

Last night all the candidates showed up for a debate.

Each side got an half an hour; finished up by 8.

R.D. Sahl was very good, although he sounded hoarse.

Started with the GOP - all moderates, of course.

(Socially conservative Republicans are rare

Here in Massachusetts.) They said DOMA was unfair.

Winslow, Gomez, Sullivan: don't like the A.C.A.

Said that Massachusetts doesn't need it anyway.

Gomez lacks experience and Sullivan's polite...

Thought Dan Winslow won in the debate I heard last night.

Next up were our Democrats from Congress; Lynch and Markey.

Ed was very statesman-like and Steve a little snarky.

I like Stephen Lynch a lot - he does a decent job -

And I know that Markey may appear to be a snob

But, with more than 30 years experience, it's he

Out of all the candidates on stage (it seemed to me)

Who was senatorial; the other men were not.

Up against Ed Markey, Winslow wouldn't stand a shot.

Wall St. and Sequestration

(Photo/CBS News)

 Sequestration's in effect and Wall St. doesn't care;

Dow is up as its investors look to grab a share

Of the only game that offers any dividends.

Everyday realities not linked to market trends.

Wall St. doesn't really care about the moms and pops.

It does not reflect the fact we're laying off some cops.

Doesn't care (for now, at least) if education stinks;

Isn't held responsible for what the voter thinks.

Looks like Wall St. has concluded; Congress may be broke,

But it doesn't matter if the 2 sides haven't spoke.

Industries just need to know; What will the future bring?

Now they've learned - they can't count on The Hill for anything.

There is no uncertainty in that; it's very clear

Washington will not address the problems we have here...

Here where we the people live and watch in disbelief

As the Congress gets their checks and cancels storm relief.

Dear Washington, D.C. ... Unsolicited Advice for the Sequestration

I'm talking to all of you... Don't make me come over there.

Here's what drives me crazy with this impasse on The Hill;

It's a demonstration that there is no more good will.

All our politicians know that sequestration's dumb,

Yet no one will give the other side a single crumb.

They would take a chainsaw to the budget - not a knife -

When we need a scalpel to prevent more fiscal strife.

No one wants to bear the brunt of partisan attack,

Too aware that someone waits to stab them in the back.

If they can't forge trust then they need courage (for a change).

Maybe that Grand Bargain's still something they can arrange.

Give them their means testing if they'll give you the tax code;

Anything is better than this constant crisis mode.

The State of the Union

President Obama said the Union's growing strong...

Judging by Republicans' response, he could be wrong.

I saw little evidence that they intend to try;

They seem too determined to let chances slip right by.

Never mind the fact that most economists insist

Government investment isn't something to resist.

Never mind that Europe proves austerity won't work.

They would play the Klingons to Obama's Captain Kirk.

He would like to boldly go and steer a middle course;

He could keep on talking to them until he grows hoarse.

Last night the Republicans all sat upon their hands.

Wonder if the President completely understands

He will find few partners who will step across the aisle?

GOP's decided all they need to do is smile.

I don't think John Boehner got that memo though, 'cause he

Was his party's poster boy for animosity.

Dear America... You're Welcome.

Senator William "Mo" Cowan, MA

You don't have  to thank my state ('though, probably, you should.)

Secretary Kerry running State? He's really good.

He's been training for this job for his entire life.

Wishing best of luck to him and to his lovely wife.

This meant that my Governor decided who would go;

Patrick picked his former Chief of Staff; a guy named Mo.

Cowan doesn't want to be our Senator for long.

Says he'll work with Kerry's staff; is bound to get things wrong...

But, it's hard to disagree with Deval Patrick's choice;

Senate-Designee provides an independent voice.

Speaks for Massachusetts; not for lobbyists or PACs.

I think that outweighs the Hill experience he lacks.

The 113th Congress - Hillary on the Hill

Secretary Clinton, faced with grilling on the Hill,

Answered questions civilly but, oh, if looks could kill...

Hillary, who's not a fan of Johnson's or of Paul's,

Might have left fresh corpses in the Senate's hallowed halls.

Paul (who would have fired Clinton), Johnson, and McCain

Focused on conspiracies and asked her to explain

Why she didn't know who killed our diplomats at first;

Pointing fingers, hurling accusations they'd rehearsed.

Mrs. Clinton took the blame but it's more widely shared.

G.O.P. would not have cut State's budget if they'd cared.

We have 20 Embassies which also face a threat...

State Department's coffers haven't seen an increase yet.

Third Time Was The Charm

For the second time Obama swore his public oath.

There - before the Capitol - he, sadly, flubbed them both.

First time Justice Roberts said the Oath of Office wrong;

Got them all confused and chose to quickly move along

Swore him in again in case the first one didn't stick.

Didn't want the Birther crowd to think it was a trick.

This time, though, Obama slipped and stumbled on a word...

Messed up on "United States"; his error clearly heard.

You don't have to worry though, 'cause that was number 4.

Swore him in on Sunday, privately - just like before

And his youngest daughter said her father got it right.

Hope he doesn't trip Michelle Inauguration Night.

The Massachusetts' Senate Race

Elizabeth Warren, Democratic candidate for Senate

Almost everyone I know's a liberal Democrat...

Here in Massachusetts they could not imagine that

I would ever give Scott Brown some credit or a look;

Just assume that Warren has my vote and close the book.

After all, I do agree with all of Warren's views,

And the fact she's smarter than him isn't breaking news,

But I've had some contact with his office on a bill -

Didn't like positions he had taken on the Hill -

They responded right away.  He later changed his vote.

Got a lovely calendar after my thank you note.

Brown agrees to compromise; he's middle of the road.

Still, it makes me nervous that his coffers overflowed

With donations corporations gave to help him win

Leading me to wonder if, maybe, the fix is in.

One is known to others by the company he keeps.
Wall Street wants Scott Brown to win - contributed in heaps.

So, I guess I'm guilty of what I profess to hate;

I will vote for Warren and contribute to the state

Of affairs (or lack thereof) the Senate has become.

Voting for a guy because he's nice would just be dumb