The SCOTUS Blues

Funny (I mean funny "strange" and not the "ha ha" kind)

How fast Mitch McConnell can completely change his mind

About how elections matter when you choose a judge...

I can understand why Democrats may hold a grudge.

Donald Trump will get to pick his second nominee

For a seat on SCOTUS. They're a lifetime appointee;

Meaning that for 30 years or more the court will lean

To the right as it's deciding what our laws should mean.

I guess I cannot be shocked by this hypocrisy;

Just one more of many wounds to our democracy.

Maybe it's the weather for, although I should be mad,

I can barely muster up the energy for sad.

The Look

One of the earliest known images of "The Look."

Clinton's the presumptive Democratic nominee;

An important moment in the country's history.

This will be the first time that a major party's pick

For the highest office in the land will be a chick.

I think she's the perfect choice to take on Donald Trump.

When he opens up his mouth to take a verbal dump

She'll give him that look all women have...  You know the one;

It's the look you get from Mom for stupid things you've done.

There is not a man alive who can withstand "The Look"

It's not something they can learn from YouTube or a book.

Donald should be careful lest "The Look" become "The Glare."

That one has the power to uncurl his orange hair.

The Donald tries "The Look" - unsuccessfully.

Unsolicited Advice for Senator Sanders

 

I like Sanders very much but do not "Feel the Bern."

I think that, like Hillary before him, it's his turn

To drop out and unify the Democrats behind

Hillary because Republicans have lost their mind.

Just like Trump - although not such a total horse's ass -

Bernie's making promises that Congress wouldn't pass.

We need someone with a chance of getting something done;

Out of all our choices, Hillary's the only one.

She's got the experience; she's been around the block.

Donald Trump... (forgive me, I'm still in a state of shock)

Calls her "crooked" - like the pot that called the kettle black -

Using Bernie Sanders' quotes as part of his attack.

Clinton's clinched the nomination. Bernie needs to quit;

Start supporting Hillary...  Stop acting like a twit.

Nothing matters more than making sure that Donald Trump

Loses in November...  Bernie, please get off the stump.

April Fools?

I've got all my fingers crossed that this will be the day

Most of Donald Trump's supporters laugh at us and say;

"April Fools! We didn't mean it...  This was all a joke.

No one sane would vote for Trump; we've just been blowing smoke."

"Donald Trump for President? Do you all think we're nuts?

"Donald Trump, who's clearly demonstrated he's a putz?

"Ha ha...  We sure fooled you guys.  You really fell for it."

Got me good. Congratulations.  Now, could you please quit?

Joke is over and it isn't funny anymore;

Not with talk of rioting on the Convention floor.

No one's laughing now - not even Democrats like me -

Watching as the Donald tears apart the GOP.

Bibi's Bid To Congress

Bibi Netanyahu was invited to address

Congress by Republicans...  A diplomatic mess.

Many Democrats say they aren't planning to attend;

Partisan divides that may be difficult to mend.

President Obama isn't meeting with the man - 

Well aware of Netanyahu's feelings on Iran.

It's not some State secret that I'm telling out of school;

Saying the relationship between the 2 is cool.

Neither leader likes the other yet they have to work

With a guy that they're convinced is acting like a jerk.

This speech may help Bibi with elections in 2 weeks

But Israelis' cause gets damaged with each word he speaks.

The Massachusetts' Primaries

Yesterday I went to vote; there wasn't any line.

Only 3 were casting votes while I was casting mine.

(Turnout for a primary election's never great

Even though it helps decide who's gonna run the state.)

To the shock of no-one, after all was said and done,

Most of the front-running candidates for office won.

There is one incumbent shocked; a Congressman who's out.

Relatives' shenanigans brought Tierney's fall about.

Candidates for Governor were narrowed down to 5;

'though it's only 2 campaigns with any chance to thrive. 

Democrats chose Martha Coakley while the GOP

Cast their votes for Charlie Baker overwhelmingly.

I'm a likely Coakley voter with an open mind.

Need to do more research and assess the facts I find,

Watch debates and listen to what candidates will say...

There is still a lot of time before election day.

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.

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.

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.

Race for the Senate - Massachusetts Edition

R.D. Sahl moderated this final debate.  (Photo/AP/Meredith Nierman)

Massachusetts Senate race just held its last debate.

Nothing's changed for me; Ed Markey's still my candidate.

I'm an independent, 'though I lean towards Democrat

So, for me, the case that Gomez tries to make falls flat.

I don't want to give Republicans another win...

They refuse to compromise; my patience has worn thin.

If Gomez is someone Mitch McConnell would support,

One more vote for members of the Tea Party to court,

He is not the man who should be representing me.

There's so many issues where we two do not agree...

He's been too aggressive and I haven't liked his tone.

Recent polls show Markey up, so I am not alone.

Plus, Gomez seems unaware of how the Congress works...

I prefer that Markey doesn't  compromise with jerks.

Gomez may be just the guy to have in your lifeboat;

For the U.S. Senate seat?  Ed Markey has my vote.

Massachusetts Primaries (Special Election Edition)

This is an election day in Massachusetts... Go!
 Current expectation is for turnout to be low.

We have got a Senate seat that we have got to fill

Even though Mo Cowan has agreed to stay until

We get through this process - like the Primaries today.

Democrats lean Markey but the GOP's in play.

Mostly because Gomez and Mike Sullivan are close;

Sullivan's more qualified but Gabriel's verbose...

Very like a Scott Brown clone; he's handsome and seems nice.

Our Republicans have hopes that formula works twice.

So, I'm off to do my civic duty...  You should too

If you live in Massachusetts it's the thing to do.

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.

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.