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 - What Kind of Example is This?

Do we want to show the world that we'll negotiate

If the threat is big enough?  Well, isn't that just great?

Less than perfect timing (just to understate the facts)

Threaten world economies until the Congress acts.

With a common enemy the Arab street unites;

We're that common enemy - ignoring sovereign rights.

Two raids into Africa; a city street, a beach...

One man's being questioned but the other's out of reach.

Egypt doesn't like the fact we can't support their coup.

In Afghanistan their President is angry, too.

Karzai says he won't agree to sign a long-term deal

'cause we never stop to ask the Afghans how they feel.

Pakistan and Yemen hate that we use unmanned drones;

All the world is mad the NSA is tapping phones.

Now they get to watch and see our government not work...

Anyone who'd sign up for this kind of thing's a jerk.

Self-Inflicted Wounds

Just two weeks before another self-inflicted wound...

Will the Congress ransom our economy? Stay tuned.

If they can't agree to raise the ceiling on our debt,

What would happen to us next is anybody's bet.

Never mind the shutdown of our monuments and parks,

Judging by the terror in economists' remarks,

If we do not pay our bills the world's  economy

Slips into recession and commences falling free.

I think it's ridiculous; of course we have to pay.

What has happened to "Full faith and credit" anyway?

Don't they care how many jobs this kind of nonsense kills?

No negotiations needed...  Pay our country's bills.

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.

The 113th Congress - Kick the Can

Photo/Cognidissidence.blogspot.com

When I was a little girl we all played Kick the Can;

Someone kicked one down the road and everybody ran.

Person who was "It" then had to run and bring it back,

Put it somewhere safe and then protect it from attack.

Then he had to go and hunt the other players down;

Chase them anywhere they chose to hide throughout the town.

If the person tagged you then you're caught and you were jailed

'til somebody kicked the can again and you high-tailed.

One thing I remember is the "It" job really stunk...

Turn your back for just a minute on the can? You're sunk.

Congress also seems to thrive on playing childish games.

G.O.P., aware that they're who everybody blames,

Chose to kick debt ceiling controversy down the road,

Meaning our economy remains in "stand-by" mode.

You can never win a game like that - which isn't fun.

Congress needs to grow up now. There's work that must get done.

The 113th Congress - The Party's Over

I guess it's too much to ask that Congress do its job.

They're too busy moaning that the President's a snob;

Doesn't hang around with them or have them in for drinks,

Doesn't seem to care what Mitch McConnell really  thinks.

Hey! I love a party just as much as anyone;

And I know that, sometimes, they're a way to get things done.

Sometimes, though, a Party only wastes the People's time.

Right now, the Republicans - the subject of this rhyme -

In a fit of pique have said, if they don't get their way,
They won't foot the bill for debts that we're obliged to pay.

Neither side is speaking now; they won't negotiate.

Party's almost over folks.  It's getting pretty late.

Speaking as a hostess who's had more than just a few

Parties, let me tell you what the Congress needs to do;

Put a pot of coffee on.  Sit down and share a cup.

Those folks are our drivers and it's time they sobered up.