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A little less than two years ago, when we were getting ready to elect a new president, or re-elect Barack Obama, I wrote a little piece at the Huffington Post that created somewhat of a mini uproar.
In the article I explained why “I [Was] Voting for Mitt Romney on Nov. 7.”
It was satire, of course.
There were two clues I thought would signal such.
First, November 7 was the day after the 2012 elections.
Second, my concluding paragraph was:
That, and more that I can’t’ recall right now, is why I will for vote for Romney on Nov.7, unless they find some cure for that strange ailment that has been afflicting so many of us, “Romnesia” — by Nov. 6.
It soon became clear from some of the comments — there were 354 of them — that perhaps my satire was too subtle.
In addition, while I should have been politically pleased that there were 2,200 “likes,” I had to wonder how many of those likes were because readers took me seriously — a troubling thought.
Anyway, that is why the word “power” in the title’s “the Power of Satire” is in quotes.
You’ll notice no such punctuation marks around “power” in “the Power of Poetry.”
That is because “Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power.” Take it from Paul Engle, who added, “Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.”
Understandably, I felt the need to set things straight with readers.
At The Moderate Voice I did such by posting a poem I received from a good friend explaining and expressing things as only a poet can. The poem which can be read here ended with the stanza,
Remember the facts and look for the truth
When you enter the voting booth
By the way, that turned out to be excellent and prophetic advice for that election.
As some in our country still cannot accept the results of the 2012 election (or the 2008 one) and as we approach the midterm elections on November 4 (seriously!), I would like to post another poem that I just received from the same good friend.
A Zero – or A Hero?
Obama’s approval is near zero
But Republicans should call him a hero.
When he came The Dow was at seven thousand more or less
It’s now more than doubled but they call him anti-business.
Unemployment was at seven point eight
When Obama the reins he did take.
And Jobs lost in GW’s final days
Were eight hundred thousand and more on the way.
Now all those jobs lost during G W’s swagger
Have been recovered but Obama is still called a laggard.
Jobless rate hit 10% before the current downward fall
Now 6.1%, but of course it had nothing to do with Obama at all.
So the market is up
And unemployment is down
Yet Republicans still make a booing sound.
Big Government is bad is the constant retort
Well it’s down half a million on the latest report.
The deficit was one trillion four
When he took the floor.
It has been cut by far more than in half as of this date
But Obama they still hate.
So the deficit and Government numbers are down
And yet the Republicans still make a booing sound.
Now there is Obamacare, welfare and immigration too
We reject them all because you are you.
The Republican rank and file
Have a mission to continue to put feet in the aisle.
It is all for America’s good they say
While their party runs off in every which way.
Republicans focus on social issues, lower taxes and budget cuts “sound”
And if you don’t agree they will shut the government down.
And while they obstruct every move you do make
You must not Executive Actions take.
America has lost its world prestige so the pundits cry
Republicans say he won’t a strong military approach try.
They say he just talks and doesn’t fight
Doesn’t he know that we have the might.
So Afghanistan and Iraq just melt away after our heroic victory
And these wonderful “new” countries, so democratic and free.
Will slip back to the jihadists’ hands
No matter that he was just following Bush 2’s withdrawal plans.
Now Libya, Syria, Egypt, Yemen and the Ukraine too
Have fallen to chaos because of you.
All would be fine if you had not mentioned a red line
You did not follow up and that’s a weak sign.
Now, no boots will be allowed on the ground
But you can solve these problems with a Republican plan sound.
This from the same neo-con bunch
Who invaded Iraq on an ideological hunch.
So while the economy grows from the Republican morass
The Republicans focus on Benghazi, the VA and IRS.
Such a healthy democratic compromising approach
Throw enough mud and some will stick to the coach.
So Obama popularity is near zero
And the Republicans think they are the hero.
And to those who at this may utter jeers
My good friend Bob says ‘cheers’
~.~
I admit, the last couplet was not written by my friend Bob
It was added by me, a feeble attempt at doing a poet’s job.
By the way, my good, long-time friend Bob — a widely travelled combat veteran and true patriot — wishes to remain anonymous, as many of our commenters do.
Lead image: Dhannte / Shutterstock.com
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.