You may recall that the constitutional convention
For the Republic of New England in October, 2010
Was cancelled in light of the promises for
Restoration of fiscal sanity in the forthcoming U. S. election.
The election did indeed inspire some hope that
The ship of state might begin to steer a straight course.
Since then, the House of Representatives in Congress
Has committed to a goal of balancing the budget.
Still, the proponents of possible secession
Keep a wary eye on current developments in Washington.
We wish to remain ready to spring into action
Should newly inspired efforts at economizing fail.
Some time ago, we exchanged ideas with a
Separatist movement in the maritime provinces of Canada.
Without getting into details, we floated the notion
Of linking them with the nascent Republic of New England.
Earlier this year, we received an invitation to
Visit, meet, and discuss our mutual purposes.
We booked passage on a cruise to explore
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
We were interested in Quebec primarily to get some feel
For the state of the the long-standing separatist movement there.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene blew us out to sea
So we never did get to touch down in Nova Scotia.
Prince Edward Island is a gem, much similar to Cape Cod.
Its residents seem to be proud citizens of Canada,
Grateful for subsidies from the federal government
And proud to be the cradle of the Canadian Confederation.
An additional stop in Saguenay gave us the opportunity
To see Canadian industry at work, which illustrates
The relative prosperity of the country, in its unapologetic
Exploitation of vast natural resources.
Quebec City lives off its charms for the tourists.
We saw the field where France lost Canada to the British,
And the old town where Benedict Arnold almost claimed it
For the new country not yet named the United States.
Montreal is a thoroughly Americanized city
In all respects except the language and the cuisine.
We learned that the buoyant state of the Canadian economy
Has eradicated any thought of instituting Quebec Libre.
So the prospects for annexing the maritime provinces
Are not attactive at this point in our mutual history.
Well, maybe excepting New Brunswick, which
Would simply be a geographical extension of Maine.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Kill Medicare
Kill Medicare
Kill Medicare, put it out of its misery.
It's about to die anyway,
As the program runs out of funds
Contributed by the payroll tax.
People forget that it was a creation
By LBJ to take care of the old folks
Who were subsisting on dog food,
So that they could pay their medical bills.
Now it is a monstrous health scheme
Covering a sector of the population, many of
Whom may be able to afford private insurance
But are required to buy the national plan.
The politicians are tackling health care
Backwards, as Massachusetts has proved.
The problem is not that people who can't afford
Health insurance must be subsidized to purchase it.
The problem is that too many people
Lack access to affordable health care.
Starting from that direction leads to
Consideration of all elements involved.
Then the issue of payment becomes
A battle between the opposite poles of
Nationalizing health care providers or
Paying them to take care of those in need.
Now we have the worst of both worlds,
Where providers are undercompensated for
Taking care of senior citizens and the poor,
While the taxpayers pay the bills for both.
No can predict the outcome of various proposals.
Instead, spectors are raised to scare the voters.
While we seniors refuse to accept the fact that
We are no longer entitled to a free ride.
Kill Medicare, put it out of its misery.
It's about to die anyway,
As the program runs out of funds
Contributed by the payroll tax.
People forget that it was a creation
By LBJ to take care of the old folks
Who were subsisting on dog food,
So that they could pay their medical bills.
Now it is a monstrous health scheme
Covering a sector of the population, many of
Whom may be able to afford private insurance
But are required to buy the national plan.
The politicians are tackling health care
Backwards, as Massachusetts has proved.
The problem is not that people who can't afford
Health insurance must be subsidized to purchase it.
The problem is that too many people
Lack access to affordable health care.
Starting from that direction leads to
Consideration of all elements involved.
Then the issue of payment becomes
A battle between the opposite poles of
Nationalizing health care providers or
Paying them to take care of those in need.
Now we have the worst of both worlds,
Where providers are undercompensated for
Taking care of senior citizens and the poor,
While the taxpayers pay the bills for both.
No can predict the outcome of various proposals.
Instead, spectors are raised to scare the voters.
While we seniors refuse to accept the fact that
We are no longer entitled to a free ride.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Revolt of the Masses
Not since the sixties have we seen
Crowds of Americans in open protest,
Nor of legislators abandoning their state
To paralyze the law-making process.
Simultaneously, the scenes of citizens massing
To demonstrate their dissatistfaction with
Long-intrenched authoritarian regimes
Play out in view of worldwide audiences.
Is there a parallel in these actions?
Are we who pride ourselves on our democracy,
Now willing to abandon our responsibility
To accept the "consequences of elections?"
An increasing number of inflammable pieces
Are being broadcast in the mass media urging the
Forced redistribution of wealth in laws
Limiting compensation, or in confiscatory taxation.
The so-called "rich," not clearly identified,
Are equated with the aristocrats of the ancien regime.
Do you recall the cry to the proletariat,
"Comrades, you have nothing to lose but your chains!"
"Civility" is urged upon the populace by those
Who refuse to entertain any beliefs but their own.
"We will fight for you," say the politicians, but
Whom are they fighting but themselves?
Can we not see that the mark of a free people
Is to work together to create the opportunity
To work out our individual destinies,
"Without let or hindrance," as the British say.
In this country, if we see politicians as enemies,
We lose the perspective to see the incompetents
As what they are, and thus seek to remove and
Replace them in an orderly and peaceful manner.
Crowds of Americans in open protest,
Nor of legislators abandoning their state
To paralyze the law-making process.
Simultaneously, the scenes of citizens massing
To demonstrate their dissatistfaction with
Long-intrenched authoritarian regimes
Play out in view of worldwide audiences.
Is there a parallel in these actions?
Are we who pride ourselves on our democracy,
Now willing to abandon our responsibility
To accept the "consequences of elections?"
An increasing number of inflammable pieces
Are being broadcast in the mass media urging the
Forced redistribution of wealth in laws
Limiting compensation, or in confiscatory taxation.
The so-called "rich," not clearly identified,
Are equated with the aristocrats of the ancien regime.
Do you recall the cry to the proletariat,
"Comrades, you have nothing to lose but your chains!"
"Civility" is urged upon the populace by those
Who refuse to entertain any beliefs but their own.
"We will fight for you," say the politicians, but
Whom are they fighting but themselves?
Can we not see that the mark of a free people
Is to work together to create the opportunity
To work out our individual destinies,
"Without let or hindrance," as the British say.
In this country, if we see politicians as enemies,
We lose the perspective to see the incompetents
As what they are, and thus seek to remove and
Replace them in an orderly and peaceful manner.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Painful Choices
The body politic suffers from split personality.
We want our governments to do more
To solve physical and social problems,
While taxing us less to do so.
It does not compute, therefore we ignore
The fiscal consequences of our demands;
We spend, tax, borrow to meet
What we see are pressing needs.
That will bankrupt us, if it
Has not done so already.
We must decide first the tax burden
That we can live with.
Then governments can allocate
Their resources in priority of need,
Just as any prudent householder
Would budget his expenditures.
If that sounds simplistic, it is;
Yet those are the goals of
The only successful populist
Movement since women's suffrage.
What then, are we willing to give up?
What must we pay for that
Government now gives to us in
One form or another?
Example: A business student of mine
Once related to us that her mother
Was on kidney dialysis, paid for then
By a special act of Congress.
Without it, she said, her mother
Would die within a few months.
What would you say to this young woman,
If you were an able politician?
You might say, if you were
Willing to risk reelection
That shouldering difficult burdens
Is required of all of us in a free country.
We want our governments to do more
To solve physical and social problems,
While taxing us less to do so.
It does not compute, therefore we ignore
The fiscal consequences of our demands;
We spend, tax, borrow to meet
What we see are pressing needs.
That will bankrupt us, if it
Has not done so already.
We must decide first the tax burden
That we can live with.
Then governments can allocate
Their resources in priority of need,
Just as any prudent householder
Would budget his expenditures.
If that sounds simplistic, it is;
Yet those are the goals of
The only successful populist
Movement since women's suffrage.
What then, are we willing to give up?
What must we pay for that
Government now gives to us in
One form or another?
Example: A business student of mine
Once related to us that her mother
Was on kidney dialysis, paid for then
By a special act of Congress.
Without it, she said, her mother
Would die within a few months.
What would you say to this young woman,
If you were an able politician?
You might say, if you were
Willing to risk reelection
That shouldering difficult burdens
Is required of all of us in a free country.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Tea Party Nation
The proposed constitutional convention in October, 2010,
For the establishment of the Republic of New England
Has been cancelled, or perhaps postponed,
Pending the outcome of the November elections.
The conveners caucused on Cape Cod,
And after due deliberation,
Decided to throw their support to the candidates
Supported by Tea Party movements in various locales.
The group hopes that the next Congress will,
Regardless of party labels,
Pursue goals shared by the majority of voters,
And restore sanity to the governing of the United States.
This happening, the need for separation
Becomes less urgent, and less attractive.
Instead, the tea party movement itself
May become a separate political party.
Both of the present parties have
Wasted their opportunities for service.
Each has promised to reverse course,
And has instead amplified previous disasters.
Their representatives and senators in Congress
Are now being held accountable for their wasteful ways,
And will be monitored carefully in the days to come
For compliance with the wishes of the electorate.
For the short term, then,
New England holds its potential secession
And supports the resurgence of serious statesmanship
In the government of the United States of America.
For the establishment of the Republic of New England
Has been cancelled, or perhaps postponed,
Pending the outcome of the November elections.
The conveners caucused on Cape Cod,
And after due deliberation,
Decided to throw their support to the candidates
Supported by Tea Party movements in various locales.
The group hopes that the next Congress will,
Regardless of party labels,
Pursue goals shared by the majority of voters,
And restore sanity to the governing of the United States.
This happening, the need for separation
Becomes less urgent, and less attractive.
Instead, the tea party movement itself
May become a separate political party.
Both of the present parties have
Wasted their opportunities for service.
Each has promised to reverse course,
And has instead amplified previous disasters.
Their representatives and senators in Congress
Are now being held accountable for their wasteful ways,
And will be monitored carefully in the days to come
For compliance with the wishes of the electorate.
For the short term, then,
New England holds its potential secession
And supports the resurgence of serious statesmanship
In the government of the United States of America.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Dark Clouds
A sullen mood shrouds the country.
People ask, "why," and receive no answer.
If this is a recession, why are prices going up?
If the economy is recovering, why can't I get a job/
The old folks complain,
Why are my investments deteriorating?
Why is the return so low on fixed investments?
Why do doctors spend more time on paperwork than on me?
Why does a renowned warrior fire himself by careless remarks?
Why couldn't he get the job done in Afghanistan?
Why are young persons dying in the service of their country?
What are they supposed to accomplish?
Why does government want to spend so much money?
What are they going to do for us that isn't being done already?
Why are our health insurance premiums going through the roof?
Why are they bailing out the mortgage of my deadbeat neighbor?
Why don't they let foreign vessels help clean up the oil spill?
Why do they want to stop all oil drilling?
Why do they plan to increase gasoline prices,
And all the energy costs for us homeowners?
Why can't my kids get a decent education in the public schools?
Why do teachers get an automatic raise every year?
Why do we need all these new bureaucracies to protect us?
Why can't we be trusted to make intelligent decisions?
Why are we pushing all this debt on our grandchildren?
Why are our grandchildren not able to get jobs?
Why is the federal government supposed to solve all problems?
What happened to individual initiative and self-reliance?
People ask, "why," and receive no answer.
If this is a recession, why are prices going up?
If the economy is recovering, why can't I get a job/
The old folks complain,
Why are my investments deteriorating?
Why is the return so low on fixed investments?
Why do doctors spend more time on paperwork than on me?
Why does a renowned warrior fire himself by careless remarks?
Why couldn't he get the job done in Afghanistan?
Why are young persons dying in the service of their country?
What are they supposed to accomplish?
Why does government want to spend so much money?
What are they going to do for us that isn't being done already?
Why are our health insurance premiums going through the roof?
Why are they bailing out the mortgage of my deadbeat neighbor?
Why don't they let foreign vessels help clean up the oil spill?
Why do they want to stop all oil drilling?
Why do they plan to increase gasoline prices,
And all the energy costs for us homeowners?
Why can't my kids get a decent education in the public schools?
Why do teachers get an automatic raise every year?
Why do we need all these new bureaucracies to protect us?
Why can't we be trusted to make intelligent decisions?
Why are we pushing all this debt on our grandchildren?
Why are our grandchildren not able to get jobs?
Why is the federal government supposed to solve all problems?
What happened to individual initiative and self-reliance?
Friday, May 7, 2010
Fascism
Fascism begins with popular acclaim,
Particularly after a national catastrophe.
A bright, shining leader promises a new beginning
Where change in governance will fulfill all hopes.
All will work together for the betterment of the country,
Factional differences will be submerged in
Striving for the common good in unity.
Government will be completely transparent.
Upon being elected by a substantial majority,
The new leaders demonize the former opposition.
Plans are made in secret with no input from
Anyone but those in the inner circle.
Major legislation is rammed through
A compliant parliament.
Whose authors do not have any idea
How their work will fare in the real world.
Principal sectors of the economy:
Big business, labor, education,
Are co-opted and reduced to servants
Of the central ideology.
The poorest of the citizens pay no taxes
But are promised health care and welfare
In exchange for their votes and
Support of the national agenda.
Goon squads are formed to crush resistance.
The military arm is purged of potential rebels.
The constitution is rewritten to assure
Continuance of the regime without challenge.
If the leader is very clever,
Both he and his country survive.
If he is not, the country flounders, and
Every ill is blamed on enemies, real or mythical.
Particularly after a national catastrophe.
A bright, shining leader promises a new beginning
Where change in governance will fulfill all hopes.
All will work together for the betterment of the country,
Factional differences will be submerged in
Striving for the common good in unity.
Government will be completely transparent.
Upon being elected by a substantial majority,
The new leaders demonize the former opposition.
Plans are made in secret with no input from
Anyone but those in the inner circle.
Major legislation is rammed through
A compliant parliament.
Whose authors do not have any idea
How their work will fare in the real world.
Principal sectors of the economy:
Big business, labor, education,
Are co-opted and reduced to servants
Of the central ideology.
The poorest of the citizens pay no taxes
But are promised health care and welfare
In exchange for their votes and
Support of the national agenda.
Goon squads are formed to crush resistance.
The military arm is purged of potential rebels.
The constitution is rewritten to assure
Continuance of the regime without challenge.
If the leader is very clever,
Both he and his country survive.
If he is not, the country flounders, and
Every ill is blamed on enemies, real or mythical.
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