Hurrah for SCOTUS-Care

By a vote of 6 to 3, the ruling of The Court

On the role of subsidies in states that don't support

Health care for their citizens has found the law's intent

Was providing coverage...  That it's what Congress meant.

The Chief Justice read the findings, noting that the law

Had some unclear language but deciding that the flaw

Didn't justify destroying the whole ACA,

Which would happen if they took the subsidies away.

From the bench, Scalia read a blistering dissent,

Said that states which opted not to have the money sent

Were within their rights and that the ruling wasn't fair,

That we should rename the law and call it SCOTUS-Care.

Maybe that's a good idea...  If we just change the name,

Keeping the protections and provisions all the same,

Making sure that patients don't get told to take a hike,

They can call the health care system anything they like.

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."

Rewarding Bad Behaviour

(Photo/sodahead.com)

Interesting strategy, and yet, it seems to work;

You can win elections by behaving like a jerk.

Throw yourself a tantrum and refuse to compromise;

Block all legislation and then blame the other guys.

Credit Mitch McConnell, for the strategy was his.

Wanted to be Leader of the Senate; now he is.

President Obama won't have Congress on his side.

(No big deal... They've never helped with anything he's tried.)

They'll set the agenda, though; the issues of the day.

First thing that they want to do? Repeal the A.C.A.

Congress can tell folks at EPA to take a hike.

They can block Obama's nominations if they'd like.

This mid-term election's left Republicans in charge.

Not since Harry Truman has their margin been so large.

And, 'though she was slow conceding, Martha Coakley's done...

Even here, in Massachusetts, GOP has won.

President Obama - Is Too Good Not Good Enough?

(Courtesy of pinterest.com)

I support the President; I voted for him - twice.

He is very smart and not in need of my advice.

But I've started worrying, with all that's in the news,

If I'm being too dismissive of the Right Wing's views.

Not about Obama Care, despite the current mess.

'though it needs some tinkering, it will be a success.

Not on the economy, which didn't crash and burn

(Even though the job growth rate is slower to return.)

Seems to me, domestically, he's doing all he can

Given that Republicans will not work with the man.

It's the other problem - with his image overseas.

Countries aren't afraid of him and, thus, do as they please.

Not as if he'll go to war 'cause, once a war begins,

People start to die and, in the end, nobody wins.

Unmanned drones cut down on that so using them is smart

Even if our foes believe they prove we lack the heart.

Putin's seized Crimea and the Syrians are slow

Handing in their chemicals to us because they know:
 President Obama is too rational to fight,

Drones don't pose the kind of threat that keeps them up at night.

When you win the Nobel Prize for Peace you're kinda stuck.

If no one's afraid of you they tend to push their luck.

So, Republicans believe a cowboy's what we need.

Do they have a point?  Can someone be too good to lead?

The Boston Red Sox - President Obama Makes His Pitch

Let's go Red Sox!

 

President Obama is in Boston for the day;

Plans to make another speech about the ACA.

Normally we'd want to hear what he has got to say...

Right now though, our only care is how the Red Sox play.

We've already got our health insurance - have for years.

We know that the systems works despite the current fears.

We can see the President is sweating blood and tears

Trying to explain the reason gum got in the gears.

I should send him prayers to help him with his current plight;

Thank the Lord Obama didn't cave in to the Right.

He could surely use the prayers to help him win his fight,

But I'm busy praying for a Red Sox win tonight.

 

The ACA - A Fine Mess

President had hoped his plan would go without a hitch

But, instead, the ACA is one enormous glitch.

Three weeks after roll-out and the website is a mess;

When they'll get the problem fixed is anybody's guess.

"See...  We told you this would happen," gloats the GOP.

"Government can't solve your problems."  Hard to disagree.

What Republicans won't say is that they played a part

Making sure Obama Care would have a rocky start.

As for now, the phone lines work so you can always call.

If you have a smart phone there's an app you can install.

Twenty million people may have made the website crash;

Meanwhile, those who do get through have saved a lot of cash.

Where's the EPA When You Need Them?

(Artwork courtesy of The Simpsons)

G.O.P. wants something from their Shutdown, don't know what;

To defund Obama Care, another budget cut?

One thing that they're sure they want? A little more respect.

They're not getting any lately...  What did they expect?

They could always tune to Bullshit Mountain for some praise.

(That is what Jon Stewart's calling FOX's "news" these days.)

When you hear them tell it, "slimming down" is for the good.

You won't feel the impact in your all-white neighborhood.

They do not support calls for the Tea Party to halt

Shutting down the government (which is Obama's fault.)

Something's in the water there; it's making them insane.

Maybe that's the reason why their programs are inane.

Look at Bill O'Reilly and what happened to Glenn Beck...

By the time he left the place the poor guy was a wreck.

They've become so toxic - spreading anger, fear, and doubt -

It's a shame the E.P.A. is closed and can't help out.

Dear Congress... Enough Already

(Photo/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP Collection)

"No one wants Obama Care," Republicans insist.

Tell that to the millions who attempted to enlist.

There was so much traffic that computer systems crashed...

Signing up for programs that Conservatives have trashed.

Ted Cruz, who's a Senator (and Speaker of the House?)

Lit a fire that's becoming difficult to douse.

We are past the boiling point - which makes for bitter Tea -

Fighting to block health care many want, apparently.

If you couldn't sign up for Obama Care, don't fret;

We're not even close to any deadlines for it yet

(Unlike our economy; it's running out of time...

But I'll save that topic for tomorrow's silly rhyme.)

People at the registries are back at work today;

(Not like furloughed workers who've been told to stay away)

It might still be busy and you may be put on hold...

A.C.A. is popular, despite what we've been told.

Congress Takes Hostages

 

Tea Party took hostages; the hostages are us...

Promise that they'll let us go if no one makes a fuss.

Simply give them what they want and nobody gets hurt.

If we don't they'll drag our reputation through the dirt.

They would shut the country down to block Obama Care.

If they are successful all Republicans will share

In the blame that follows when our credit rating tanks

Over threats that we won't pay our bills in future...  Thanks.

Why won't the Republicans tell them to take a hike?

Isn't this the kind of thing economies don't like?

This is not the way we want to see the country run.

We just held elections and Obama, clearly, won.

Congress isn't working.  It's become a running joke.

Not sure how it happened but I'm pretty sure it's broke.

They're not helping those of us who need the help the most

And, if they don't fix it, our economy is toast.

Warning - Dr. Seussilitis Is Spreading

(Photo/FakePosters.com)

 Dr. Seussilitis is contagious - like the flu...

Noticed that Jon Stewart and Ted Cruz show symptoms, too.

Ted Cruz held the Senate floor; he read Green Eggs and Ham,

Said that funding health care is like killing Uncle Sam.

Like the cranky fellow who won't eat eggs in a box

Cruz won't try Obama's plan, he's trumpeted on FOX.

Not in Texas nor across the nation's fruited plain...

Dr. Seussilitis might be messing with his brain.

He's been so irrational I'm worried for the guy.

Maybe he should learn from Dr. Seuss; give things a try.

In the end the guy who will not eat green eggs and ham

Finds out that he likes it; winds up happy as a clam.

Race for the White House - I Feel Sick

Cartoon by Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press

I have not been feeling well; I thought it was a cold,

Plus a massive headache, but I'm no longer sold.

I've begun to think the reason I've been feeling sick?

All these nasty campaign ads I've overdosed on... ick.

Hard to be non-partisan regarding those I've seen -

Massachusetts, democratic liberal's how I lean.

Romney was my Governor; I thought I knew him well

But he's changed so often now I am confused as hell.

My poor head is splitting, spinning - feverish and chilled.

When this whole election thing is over I'll be thrilled.

It is a conundrum though for, should Mitt Romney win,

I will need Obama Care with the state I'll be in