Strange, isn’t it, how we adhere

To common party or gender,  

A “friend” to share a beer,

And our vote to surrender.

We did that in elections before,

Beer buddy, measured, proved bad.

Now we’ll have two more to score,

Again we’re poised to be had.

Sometimes the parties are child-like.

Same said for selected nominees.

Some of their assertions are wild-like,

Claims bold, like brazen trainees.

For trivial qualities reign supreme —

Not intelligent and calm rationality,

But emotional glibness to the extreme,

No qualifying fitness, only personality.

Unblinking assertions of readiness,

And claims of government cleaning,

In face of fiscal and legal unsteadiness

Sets leadership questions careening.

Statements of “hundred years” at war,

Said “Context: peaceful occupation.”

When will hundred begin, and what for?  

Oil revenues not shared is abrogation.

Prideful of breaking convention,

With anger issues scary backdrop,

Born and bred to military tradition,

Is this finger best on button top?

We should all do our citizen’s duty,

And before, the Reps got my wish.

But for national and global beauty,

This time, on Obama, I’m bullish.

In the face of distortions and lies,

He holds levelheaded and steady.

For the middle class his flag flies,

Scope of plan — wide and heady.

Don’t need militarism, doddering or not,

Nor wild-eyed optimist, in-over-her-head.

Just need a thoughtful, deliberate pilot

When ‘08 election’s put to bed.  

© 2008 R. Leland Waldrip