Congratulations Mr. Speaker

(Image and lyrics/Courtesy of Disney's Song of the South)

With Pope Francis' audience, and all his sins absolved,

Plus his resignation, Speaker Boehner's problem's solved.

Good for him...  I worried when his nerves began to fray.

Now, perhaps, he'll dry his eyes and wipe his tears away.

GOP is self-destructing. Who would want his job:

Trying to pass legislation with an angry mob,

Catering to bigots - because they're the ones who vote?

His relief caused Boehner to start singing, and I quote;

"Oh, zip a dee doo dah...  What a wonderful day."

Judging by his jaunty step, I think he'll be okay.

Now that it's the far right-wing who will control the Floor,

It's the rest of us whom I've begun to worry for.

The Speaker's Stunt

Speaker Boehner says he plans to sue the President

Over, what he claims, has been selective enforcement

Of some laws Obama swore an oath that he'd uphold.

Boehner says Obama broke the law but I'm not sold.

Has Obama tried to work around the GOP?

Maybe so, although he had no choice it seems to me.

If Obama said that grass was green or sky was blue

Congress would investigate and find it wasn't true.

Since the Congress blocked his moves Obama had to punt;

Now it will cost millions fighting Boehner's latest stunt;

Money we could better spend on paying off our debts,

Education, health, or roads, or caring for our vets.

What the hell's the matter with these people anyway?

It's no wonder Presidents look old and worn and gray;

Finding that they can't deliver on the things they'd planned...

Why someone would want that job, I'll never understand.

Benghazi's Smoking Gun

An excerpt of the "TalkingPoints" e-mail on Benghazi that's being called a "smoking gun."

Seems an e-mail that is being called a "smoking gun"

By Republicans (still mad Barack Obama won)

Caused the Speaker of the House to call for a review

Because folks in Congress don't have better things to do.

What it is they hope to prove I still don't understand;

Do they think we should have known what terrorists had planned;

Or has all the furor over this gone on so long

Just because, one Sunday morning, Susan Rice was wrong?

Congressional Update - A Rhyme

(Artist Drew Sheneman/Courtesy of Tribune Media Services)

Update on the Congress (for the few of us who care...

Those with any interest in what goes on up there)

Congress reached a compromise and passed a Farming Bill,

Raised the ceiling on the debt - that's if the Senate will.

That seems pretty likely so, at least, they'll get that done.

It might be the last thing, though... They've got campaigns to run.

Boehner wouldn't give an Immigration Bill a chance.

GOP's afraid their base would look at them askance.

Since the only people who will go and cast their vote

In mid-term elections would be handing them their coat

If they gave the President and Democrats a "win,"

Once again, our immigrants will take one on the chin.

It is so short-sighted when we cater to extremes,

Seemingly forgetting that we're not on different teams.

We're "one nation - indivisible..." At least, we were.

Well...  Except for Bachmann; I am disavowing her.

Unsolicited Advice for the 113th Congress

(Photo/WesternFreePress)

Here it is; the day this lunacy has got to end.

Last chance for the Congress to agree that they'll extend

Full faith and the credit to the debts our country owes.

All the world is watching us to see which way it goes.

Europeans can't believe it's ever come to this.

Such a stupid spectacle is one they'd rather miss.

Congress on the precipice and fighting at the edge.

(I would bet, in future, our investors choose to hedge.)

Credit rating's teetering and will be going down,

Causing repercussions that you'll feel in your hometown.

All of this uncertainty already took a toll.

Speaker Boehner needs to prove he hasn't sold his soul

Does he want his job so badly that he will allow

Damage even worse than what the country's feeling now?

Will he let our Treasuries become a worthless note?

Find a Senate compromise and let the Congress vote!

The 113th Congress - Saner Heads?

Rumor has it Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell are

Very close to compromise, although they won't get far...

Just across the hall, perhaps, unless John Boehner will

Bring it to a vote.  I wouldn't hold my breath until.

Markets must believe it 'cause they didn't take a dive,

'though the recent shutdown means that business didn't thrive.
 CFOs are slugging down their keg-aged, single malt.
They don't like a shutdown but they really hate default.

Hope the markets have it right or we're all gonna lose.

Hope the GOP will put a muzzle on Ted Cruz.

Judging by the recent polling, he makes people mad,

As we ponder how this situation got so bad.

Wondering why we're ignored in favor of extremes;

Why we're always victims in some politician's schemes.

Hope that saner heads prevail and they can make a deal.

Call or write your Congressperson. Tell them how you feel.

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.

Dear Furloughed Federal Employees...

Now you'll have time to read.

To the newly unemployed; the clerks and astronauts,

Forest rangers, nurses who administer flu shots,

Workers at museums, people processing new claims...

Welcome to our ranks as Congress plays its stupid games.

Hope you have some savings put away and it's enough

Since the road to compromise ahead looks pretty rough.

President Obama says the ACA's the law.

Tea Party has disagreed - it's sticking in their craw -

So they've forced their Speaker, a Republican, to flinch.

Want to stop Obamacare...  They're kinda like the Grinch.

(I think that the GOP should read more Dr. Seuss...

Maybe they could learn a thing or two, but what's the use?

Cruz, who read Green Eggs and Ham, appeared to miss the point;

You should try new things before your nose gets out of joint.)

While you're out on furlough, play some golf, enjoy the day,

Or enroll for health care which has opened anyway.

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.

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 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.

Race for the White House - Paul Ryan Goes To The Convention

Paul Ryan addresses the convention in Tampa.  (Photo credit: Mary Altaffer/AP)

Yesterday I promised I would try to keep it nice;

Said I'd pay attention to my mother's good advice.

Then I watched Paul Ryan's speech and good intentions flew.

Once again Republicans won't tell us what they'll do.

Pundits say the gauntlet's thrown on Medicare...  So what?

Everybody knows it's broken.  Tell me how a cut

In the tax of wealthy folks will help my mom and dad?

We've tried "trickle down" before and the results were bad.

Saying that you've built a business doesn't pave the streets;

Doesn't pay for teachers, cops, or any Naval fleets;

Doesn't keep your parents covered now that they are old.

That, my friends, takes government - and, government needs gold.

Loyal opposition is another thing it needs.

Currently, though words are speaking louder than their deeds,

G.O.P. - with faces straight - accuse the President...

Blaming him for failures when that isn't how it went.

I don't see John Boehner having any kind of luck

Leading the Republicans and, thus, Obama's stuck.

They have been disloyal; offered nothing but complaint.

Yes, I know that isn't nice but, hey - I'm not a saint.

Race for the White House - The Republican Convention

Ann Romney at the Republican National Convention. (Photo by CBS News)

Hard to have a party with a hurricane next door.

Florida in August, though? It's what you're asking for.

Wonder how Pat Robertson explains this hurricane?

(Actually, I really don't...  He's clinically insane.)

Last night Mrs. Romney spoke; I found her sweet and warm.

Though I was distracted by the radar of the storm

I still heard enough to know she loves her husband Mitt.

Charming, poised, and elegant - Ann Romney was a hit.

Other speakers didn't come across as well, I thought.

Christie of New Jersey spoke about himself a lot.

Boehner said the patrons of his bar would always throw

People out the door who disagree.  I'd never go.

Ryan has his speech tonight.  It's one you shouldn't miss.

Don't know if I'll rhyme about it - promised mother this;

If I can't say anything that's nice, I wouldn't speak.

Maybe I should just avoid Republicans this week.

The One Hundred and Twelfth - Drama Queens

Don't think that the Tea Party has looked across the pond,

Noticed how the policies - of which they're all so fond -

Have been working over there for, if they had, they'd learn;

Voters do not like it when austerity's too stern.

Even Catholic Bishops, who are not Obama's fans,

(Suing him in court to not pay for birth control plans)

Said the current right-wing stance would devastate the poor

If it stood a chance of ever passing on the Floor.

Maybe the Republicans are posturing right now;

Only acting crazy?  If so, they should take a bow;

Wrap up these performances and get back to real life

Where we need solutions - not another round of strife.

Can't refuse to compromise; that's not how Congress works.

Have a more important role, along with all the perqs,

Work behind the scenery; don't wait until the Fall...

Reach across the aisle or else it's curtains for us all.

The One Hundred and Twelfth - Sick... And Tired

excerpted from an
Article first published as Is Congress Broken? on Technorati.

 

It's not just Republican's electorate that's split;

('though, congratulations on your Illinois win Mitt)

Even party Congressmen won't back a Senate vote -

Not unless they climbed aboard the Tea Partyer's boat.

Boehner cannot make them pull together on a bill.

Seems to me that something's badly broken on the Hill.
With Paul Ryan's budget that no Democrat will buy
I think even Mitch McConnell's tired of the guy.

(I am not a fan of his; I think that he's to blame.

Since 2010 McConnell's said he had a single aim;

Make sure that the President would only serve 1 term.)

I think that his plan may have mutated like a germ.

Now the whole dang system's sick. It isn't working right.

Only thing the folks in Congress do is preach and fight.

Meanwhile, there are people hurting...  Also feeling sick

Of the whole damn bunch of them - no matter what their clique.