'Twas the Day After Christmas

‘Twas the day after Christmas, when all through the House
Representatives clamored to return to their spouse,
The motions were outlined with meticulous care
In hopes that a mandate soon would be there;

The voters from states painted all blue and red
Had visions that compromise values would spread;
And many unemployed, and others in debt,
Had just cast their votes to ensure an upset.

When on the West Lawn their arose such a clatter,
The nation tuned in to see what was the matter.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The Speaker and President switched into high gear.

With photo op clenched, the scene was sublime,
As political deal-making commenced just in time,
Whether to raise taxes or allow a tax riff,
Concessions could not avoid Fiscal Cliff.

Now Boehner! Now, Portman!  Mulvaney and Dent!
We need to find revenue to cover what’s spent,
Keep digging your heels while we all hit the wall!
A return to recession will damage us all!

With House back in session we need a lifeboat,
When all of a sudden they cancelled the vote,
What point is a roll-call, said Boehner as boss,
When the motion is certain to tally a loss?

Now here we all sit--a political mess,
While elected officials declare a recess,
Our lives left suspended in a weird state of flux,
A fate yet determined by a set of lame ducks.

Post-Yuletide, we wait while the Reps are recalled,
To try to find center in a process that’s stalled,
What are the chances this time we’ll succeed
If elected officials don’t step up and lead?

It’s time to get working, to loosen the stricture,
See beyond tomorrow and focus the big picture,
The object is to move in a positive direction,
Not to campaign for the coming election.

So before our Constitution runs out of steam,
Let’s all reignite the American dream,
Democracy must be more than a shiny façade,
To remain indivisible, one nation under G-d.

It's back to the Chamber, we all have a stake,
We expect to see the fallout of some give-and-take,
A good compromise is not cause for regret,
If we take a strong stand against National Debt.

On behalf of us all, keep acrimony at bay,
As Americans, we are born expecting to pay,
Let's fire up the presses, and Twitter, and faxes,
There is nothing that’s certain except death and taxes!