… and all through the land
consumption is slowing,
and investors are scared.
The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care.
In hopes that St. Government
soon would be there.
The unions were nestled
all snug in their beds,
Knowing that Congress
was firm in their stead.
And governors in their pockets,
and school districts too,
secure in the knowledge,
that they’ll stick it to you.
When out in the statehouse
there arose such a clatter,
citizens sprang to their laptops
to see what was the matter.
Away to their blogs
they flew like a flash,
tore open their e-mails
and kept open their cache.
The moon on the breast
of the new fallen snow,
but we’ve spent so much,
that we can’t even plow.
When, what to our wondering
eyes should appear,
a corrupt IL governor,
more taxes and fear.
With a wonky Fed chairman,
who knew not what to do,
we knew in a moment,
that he’d screw us too.
More rapid than eagles,
the new programs came,
And Bush whistled and shouted,
and called them by name.
Now TARP, now bailout,
Now stimulus checks,
Down funds rate, more taxes
who knows what is next?
To the top of the Hill
To the top of the Wall
Now bail away, flail away,
spend away all.
As I drew in my head,
and was turning around,
the lobbyists on K street
stormed with a bound.
They spoke like fine preachers,
on the radio and news,
with a message so tarnished,
most Americans refused,
their scare tactic stories,
broken windows gallore,
but our governments relented
and broke even more.
Justifications abounded
New Ponzi’s in jail,
Heck even my belly
is too big to fail.
Home prices still falling
our belts are pulled tight,
well except for the folks,
who live for election night.
They’ll raise taxes on soda,
on beer and on cigs,
as their budgets expand
like a holiday pig.
A wink of their eyes
and a twist of their heads
Soon gave me to know
There’s even more to dread.
They spoke not one truth
but went straight to their work
Of filling their coffers
off of all our hard work,
Expanding school budgets
and public works too.
which would really be nice
if it was truly new.
But our schools and our roads
will continue to crumble
’cause funding’s not the problem,
it’s government bumble.
So Obama will come
and he’ll spend even more
while folks will be duped
that this is not like before.
The crisis will deepen
but someday will end,
and government will continue
to be viewed as godsend.
The Feds own the banks,
Fan, Fred and AIG,
and regulations extending
well into the seas.
And so long as we think,
wealth comes from Santa’s flights
or enlightened politicians
we’ll kiss freedom good-night.