Torn into far too many factions,
Tucked into way too many back pockets,
Each player promising absolute loyalty.
The role, to serve and protect us all.
The intent, a self-serving communal deception.

These, the Populist Party politicians;
Pompous aristocrats preaching
Contentious corporate catastrophes,
Proposing uncalled for legislation,
Aggressive foreign policies,
Wholesale deregulation,
And the occasional use of slave wages.

All this to be done on the backs of a balanced budget
And a fast fading middle class.
Alas, to see it all undone!

Outfitting an army in army surplus duds;
And the Homeland Security thugs,
Well, they won’t be needin’ no stinkin’ badges
Or uniforms for that matter.
Anyhow, now they be
Puttin’ yo’ money where their mouth used to be.
Kissing ass to the royal “we”.
Defending the dictatorial right to refuse
Service to anyone.

Obscure agencies process intel
To promote a better understanding
Of foreigners and fellow citizens alike.
A treasure to be found in private lives and lies.
While the Feds waive their monetary reservations
The NSA razzle-dazzles with
Cayman Island accounts and cyber spies.

All hail the true Power!
All hail the real Cracker Jack prize!
In this jaded temple of capital gains,
Cursed is the house where the lobbyists hold sway
And children are put to bed without any supper!

So, what remains, what remains for the rest of us?
A plethora of propaganda for the plebeians,
Spun yarns to weave the way
We sing, we pray, we perceive this civic bit,
Being offered up. This script
To pen US as beholdin’ to THEM;
All the good Presidents and congenial Congressmen,
Supreme Court jesters and bureaucratic clowns,
Super heroes, millionaires, men about town!
Guardians of our best intentions,
Forever saving us from another dark and dismal day!

But come what may, you still say,
Politics is all the rage,
The best game in town,
In an age when nothing is impossible
You see no shadow of a doubt.
And you, you still tell me, straight faced,
That it’s a matter of principal,
This civic duty, this democracy.
Living to give that one best vote.
Elected officials to rethink the dream,
Relight the torch, to make it just,
And just this once, to make it
America.



Michael S. True
2-11-14