In the free market country club,
being deemed “too big to fail”
insures a corporation against
the mistakes of poor managers.
No wonder those saved
by bucket-wielding taxpayers
avoid making needed loans
and acquire other banks.

Conservative and Liberal,
unlike words early man used
to describe groups of stars,
are creative, but inappropriate.
Republicans who cut taxes,
increase spending, wage wars,
claim deficits don’t matter,
call themselves Conservatives.
Democrats claim to be Liberals
while promoting welfare reform,
higher prices for imports,
conservation and more rules.
Perhaps it’s time we use
old time imagination and look
for similarities. Call one party
Serpents, the other Snakes.

It appears I will be wrong about Obama.
I misjudged the power of his rhetoric,
overrated the nation’s dormant racism.
I mistakenly accused the Democratic party
of missing the chance to win control
by limiting their choices for the nomination,
but I didn’t expect the economy to crater,
to get so bad voters would do anything
to guarantee a change in Washington.
I’m happy [...]

John McCain, a crotchety old man
obsessed with earmarks and the surge,
promises little beyond extending
Bush tax cuts, and continuing his war.
Obama offers inspiring lists of thoughtful,
nuanced programs that John easily festoons
with tall tales of calamitous consequences,
largely untrue, but easy to understand.
John balances his age with an attractive
Chatty Cathy while Barack tempers his
youth with a sage willing [...]

Our ever-vigilant congress,
failed to bail-out broken banks,
but found a way to save the bill
by larding it with tax cuts.
That will ensure Republican votes,
and let Democrats use urgency
to justify a token of gratitude
for their campaign contributors.
Of course there’s a chance our
stalwart Speaker will stand tall, stop
this scam, then wave to the stunned
crowd as she flies [...]