Holding My Nose for Trump

 I am what the media's been calling "the elites:"

Living in my ivory tower on suburban streets,

College-educated, Massachusetts Democrat,

Who - though knowing Trump just won - is still processing that.

Watching as the demonstrators protest through the streets,

Rightly worried over Donald Trump's outrageous Tweets.

Hearing chants of "White Power" as racist bigots gloat, 

Knowing about half of those protesters didn't vote.

When we lose elections we must live with the result

(Unless you're prepared to join some anarchistic cult.)

Seeing electoral maps of red with specks of blue

Tells me that it's only fair to see what Trump will do.

I may be upset but I'm not arrogant enough

To ignore the 60 million for whom times are tough. 

I don't have to like it - and, believe me, I do not -

But that doesn't change the fact that Trump has earned his shot.

Sincere Apologies to the World

I get so embarrassed at the way we're now perceived

Overseas; they marvel at how easily deceived

We Americans are proving many of us are -

Throwing our support to Trump: a loud-mouth TV star.

Just like P.T. Barnum, Trump loves stupid people, too...

Angry people who don't care if what he says is true,

Folks who don't believe that we're, already, pretty great.

Folks who are susceptible to messages of hate.

The whole world is getting nervous that this race is close.

(Global leaders using Xanax have increased their dose.)

How could the Americans be falling for this guy?

Someone whom the Russians have been helping on the sly?

Do they really want proliferation? Are they nuts?

ISIL and the Taliban are laughing in their huts.

Trump - who's what the British call a "bounder and a cad" -

He and his supporters make the rest of us look bad.

Break Time's Over

Though the media declined to take my good advice

I've ignored most politics this summer...  It was nice.

Now that it's September 1st, I fear it's nearly time

To examine Presidential candidates in rhyme.

Sorry, I don't want to ruin anybody's day

But ignoring problems doesn't make them go away.

Just ask the Republicans who have to deal with Trump,

Such a pompous, rude, bombastic, narcissistic chump.

They cannot pretend the Donald isn't polling first;

They can only grin and bear it as he does his worst,

Blathering away without a modicum of tact

Driving off the voters they were hoping to attract.

The Problem With Hillary 2016

This is how the GOP sees Hillary. (Courtesy of/www.veooz.com)

Lately I've become convinced that I don't have a choice;

I can argue politics until I've lost my voice...

Won't convince Conservatives to change their point of view.

So I've started thinking that it's time for someone new.

Since there is no compromise, our government is broke.

All the plans Obama has are going up in smoke.

Nominees are languishing and sex slaves have to wait

Because they don't like Barack...  But, Hillary they hate.

If you think that things are bad right now then wait and see

Just how bad it gets if we elected Hillary.

Knowing Clinton represents the sum of their worst fears,

I don't know if I can stand 4 more contentious years.

I could vote Republican to spare myself the pain;

If someone like Snowe, their former Senator from Maine,

Were to be the GOP's selected nominee

They might still convince me not to vote for Hillary.

Dear Members of the Media; I'm Begging You...

With elections 2 years off, the race is underway;

Candidates are lining up.  I wish they'd go away.

Please don't give them airtime now.  Why cover them at all?

Who cares what they have to say - at least until next Fall?

We've just held elections.  Work is waiting to get done.

It's not news that Donald Trump's deciding if he'll run.

That's not journalism; it is gossiping, at best.

Members of the media, please give the race a rest.

Aren't there more important things the country needs to know?

Don't waste time reporting on their dog and pony show.

If you can't find things at home, there's plenty overseas.

Wait another year before you talk elections, please.

Unsolicited Advice for Senator Elizabeth Warren

Available now in bookstores and on Amazon.

Massachusetts' Senator (of whom we're rather proud)

On a tour to sell her book's begun to draw a crowd.

There are calls for her to run for President next time

But, as her constituent, my free advice (in rhyme);

Dear Elizabeth; May I suggest that you should wait.

Keep on doing what you are - a credit to this state.

Build up more alliances and stick it to the banks...

Something that you're doing well at now, Ma'am.  Many thanks.

Hillary is gonna run for President, I'd bet.

She will get the nomination; you're not ready yet.

Not to say that, if you ran, that you would not be great.

But the best that you could hope for?  Clinton's running-mate.

Senate needs a leader who will do the People's work -

Someone who knows where the money merchants tend to lurk...

Work that you are doing now is vital to us all;

If they try to draft you Senator? Don't take their call.

Unsolicited Advice for Hillary 2016

Were I Mrs. Clinton, you could not pay me to run,

Even were I certain that I'd be the chosen one.

Tea Party Republicans and other Right Wing nuts

Have already made it clear how much they hate her guts.

Even now, before she's thrown her hat into the ring,

Limbaugh's claiming she arranged to have some loony fling

(At a speech) a shoe that almost hit Hil in the face...

Snidely adding Chelsea's child's a ploy to win the race.

Look at poor Obama, who's been hounded by the Right;

You would have to be insane to want that kind of fight.

If you think he's had it bad however, wait and see

What would happen if the President were Hillary.

Voting in Afghanistan

Photo/Courtesy of payam-aftab.com)

Watching the election process in Afghanistan.

Not a lot that separates the candidates who ran;

Most would like a U.S. presence; all of them are men.

Even once they count the votes, won't know the winner then.

I get so embarrassed by the voters in those lines,

Knowing that they're facing more than people waving signs,

They are risking life and limb to go and cast their vote...

I know people who don't go if they can't find their coat.