Poisoning the Well

Seems to me the well's been poisoned for a long time.(dickysdoodles.blogspot.com)

Buckle up your seat-belts, folks...  We face a bumpy ride

('though it's not as if our recent trip has been a glide.)

Lame duck Congress members are preparing for a fight;

Want to make a point instead of doing what is right.

Do not poison future wells, Republicans have said;

While conceding that an Immigration bill is dead.

Even though the system's badly broken, I'm afraid,

They insist Obama break the promises he's made.

If the President does not give in to their demands

Mitch McConnell says the GOP will wash its hands

Of the next two years and let the country go to hell...

Wonder if they'll wash with water from the poisoned well?

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.

Sincerest Sympathies to the Secret Service

President Obama's had some unexpected guests;

Normally his visitors must pass strict background tests.

Secret Service agents put their bodies on the line

Making sure that all of the Obamas will be fine.

Recently, however, they've been sleeping on the job;

Let a felon with a gun and some poor, crazy slob

Get too close for comfort and then missed it when one guy

Took shots at the White House...  Didn't see the shrapnel fly.

Congress grilled Director Pierson; made her eat some crow.

Found the Secret Service's responses much too slow.

(Only when it's someone else does Congress seem to mind)

But they had some valid points so Pierson's just resigned.

Her replacement - Clancy - was Obama's bodyguard

And I wish him lots of luck because his job is hard.

Doesn't matter that Obama's hired someone new;

No-one can predict what random lunatics will do.

Unsolicited Advice for Attorney-General Eric Holder

Want to be Attorney General?  Heard they're hiring.

Eric Holder's just announced that he's retiring.

Says he'll stay until someone's confirmed to take his place...

I think he should wait to pack his office - just in case.

I would guess it's 50/50 Congress will agree

To whatever sucker is Obama's nominee.

Some poor slob Republicans will always castigate

In pursuance of their next, pretend "Whatever-Gate."

Someone with the patience and composure of a saint

(Hearings before Congress are like watching drying paint.)

Why someone would put themselves through that I'll never get

But, if I were Holder, I would not start packing yet.

Supporting The President's Strategy

President Obama, with his Nobel Prize for Peace,

And determined that we not become the world's police

Did his best to extricate us from the Middle East...

Give the poor man credit for attempting it, at least.

'though we tried to walk away from it - they've dragged us back.

The Islamic State is where we'll focus our attack.

With a coalition, some who wish to not be named,

Fearful that, when things go wrong, their governments get blamed.

Countries who believe we lack the will to see this through;

Betting that Americans are sick of war...  That's true.

What they haven't counted on, however, is the fact;

We are very good at war once we decide to act.

Congress must support Obama; give him all he needs.

Our words aren't enough right now.  They must be backed with deeds.

We can't fix the Middle East...  Of that there's ample proof.

But, we can find ISIL and put missiles through their roof.

We're Baaack

I do not regret the fact that - while we're at the beach -

I make sure to place myself completely out of reach.

Haven't seen a television nor the internet...

Now we're back but I'm afraid I haven't caught up yet.

As a first impression though, it seems that nothing's changed.

Israel is still at war; Ted Cruz is still deranged.

Congressmen did so much nothing that they're on a break.

What do those guys need vacations from, for heaven's sake?

I've begun to understand why folks avoid the news

Now that I have walked a week or two inside their shoes.

Why not focus on the changing tides or starry sky?

If you get the chance to go you should give it a try.

Dear Border States... Good Luck With That

There's been a major surge in unaccompanied children detained at the U.S. border.

 

If you've been a parent, think of how bad it must be

When the situation makes you grab your child and flee.

Kids as young as 10 have been arriving on their own;

Children, far away from home... They're frightened and alone.

Coming here because they've heard we have to let them in

And, until their case is heard, they'll get to live with kin.

That would not be incorrect and they can thank George Bush.

Now Obama's looking for a way that he can push

Legislation through a Congress that's completely stalled;

Though aware that Immigration must be overhauled,

Still they will not touch it with the mid-terms underway.

Thus, according to the law, the refugees can stay.

Tell that to the angry mobs in all the border states

Who say that they've got enough, already, on their plates.

'though they make a valid point it doesn't change the fact

President Obama cannot make the Congress act.

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.

We Leave No One Behind

White House made a deal for getting Bowe Bergdahl released

But the howls about the swap they made have just increased.

Started with the 5 we traded; all were Taliban

And we never warned the people in Afghanistan.

Didn't tell the Congress, either...  Simply went ahead.

'We don't leave our men behind,' Barack Obama said.

Now the claim is: we did not leave Bergdahl, he left us,

That he's a deserter who is not worth all the fuss.

No-one's come right out and said we should have left the kid,

But they're criticizing everything the White House did.

There are snide remarks on FOX about Bowe's father's beard;

Speculation that the Bergdahl clan is kinda weird.

Speaking as the mother of two handsome, teenage boys

All this hue and cry is only pointless, background noise

(Speaking as a veteran, the same is also true)

I'd expect my country would do all that it could do.

Happy Memorial Day

When you're at your barbeque this weekend, don't forget -

If you love America and freedom - thank a Vet.

I don't mean a thanks with words for words have proven cheap...

We made Vets a promise but it's one we didn't keep.

They embody virtues that have made this country great;

It's disgraceful some of them are dying while they wait.

Situation's FUBAR at the VA, I'm afraid.

They don't have the staff and those they've got are underpaid.

Congress needs to spend the money now and screw the cost...

Right away! Before another soldier's life is lost.

There are no excuses for non-treatment of our Vets;

We owe them our sacred honor and must pay our debts.

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?

Dear Republican Women... Seriously?

GOP insists that Democrats are playing games;

Want to make Republicans the ones a woman blames

When she can't get equal pay for doing equal work.

Say it's just a ploy to leave them looking like a jerk.

They weren't gonna fall for that they said, and voted no.

They don't have to worry though, 'cause I already know

I would rather punch myself about the head and face

Then vote for Republicans in an upcoming race.

I am also sick of games that politicians play,

But it's not a game when we are talking equal pay.

Fairness in the workplace keeps the country growing strong.

GOP's position is insulting and it's wrong.

Unsolicited Advice for House Republicans - Knock it Off

(Courtesy of Newsbusters.org)

Yesterday a million people clicked healthcare.gov

Said that they'd sign 7 million up; they've gone above.

It's almost miraculous that they've achieved their goals.

But it's still unpopular according to the polls.

Data show that people want the things in A.C.A.

Problem is too many feel they can't afford to pay.

Yes, it makes insurance better but it still ain't cheap

(Unlike certain policies that people couldn't keep.)

I will grant that there are problems still, but it's a start.

Wish the so called "loyal opposition" did its part.

GOP keeps voting to repeal it even though

If you ask what they'd replace it with, they do not know.

These are problems Congress could be fixing in a snap

If the House Republicans would, finally, cut the crap.

That's enough of trying to repeal the A.C.A.

What is it they're trying to accomplish, anyway?

If they want to make a point, I'd say the point's been made.

Look how they've succeeded, everybody's nerves are frayed.

Since they've made it clear that they don't have a better plan,

It is time to move along and fix the things they can.

Dear Republican Women... Really?

How is it Republicans aren't overwhelmed with shame;

Treating people as if they're a pawn; their lives a game?

Standing up for corporations, 1 percenters, banks,

Old, white men (I'm shocked when I see women in their ranks.)

Things that women care about, Republicans oppose;

Health-care clinics, food assistance - first things that they close.

Fighting to block overtime reforms, a living wage,

Everything the President proposes at this stage.

Since they're the majority in Congress and they might

Even win the Senate, come the next election night,

While the rich get richer and the poor folk fall behind,

President Obama could be in a nasty bind.

If the Democrats should lose a few more Senate seats

(Which they could, according to the word out on the streets)

Our divided government divides a whole lot more

If we let Republicans control the Senate Floor.

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.

The Republican Response Limerick Response

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R/WA) offered the official Republican response.

Response was by Rodgers and she

At least, if you're asking me,

Said more about her

Then where the plans were

Put forth by ye olde GOP.

I thought she was lovely and sweet

But that doesn't help us compete.

Can't just be opposed

What have they proposed

To fix the pot-holes in my street?

The President offered a plan...

He's doing the best that he can

But he can't do much

Because out-of-touch

Republicans won't help the man.

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.

Long Term Unemployment Benefits

(Photo/Huffington Post)

Long-term unemployment benefits must be resumed;

Without those then millions who are out of work are doomed.

It's a short extension but, until there are more jobs,

People can't find work (and not because they're lazy slobs.)

Can't get by on minimum; it's not a living wage.

Can't do work too physical (at least, not at my age.)

Have to make enough to pay their health insurance bills.

Must compete with younger folks and their updated skills.

They're afraid their resumes go straight into the trash.

Can't get funds for start-ups 'cause the banks aren't lending cash.

First we have to figure out a way out of this mess;

Get the unemployment rate to 5%, or less.

Let's invest in research projects in genetic codes;

Offer free tuition, fix our bridges and our roads.

People don't want charity, they want a decent job...

Congress needs to do theirs lest they face an angry mob.