Hey, it’s Thanksgiving. Probably no better time to talk about freedoms (and lack of same) in our country. Oh – and if you’re flying this weekend, please, don’t wear Speedos at the security counter! Your country thanks you for your discretion. (LOL) Amy
MENDING OLD GLORY
Our country is bowed, not broken
no matter that Rush and Glenn nay-say
The president erred when he trusted
that Congress believed in fair play
But lobbyists hold all the power
and companies claim their “free speech”
As long as control’s made of dollars
no president can heal the breach
Let’s face it: We all are Americans
regardless what party we choose
So please show this president loyalty
that goes with the reds, whites, and blues
And if you are drawn to militias
just know that you make no sense, just noise
When Bush was in, we didn’t run out of words
So holster your guns, there, cowboys
Our country was founded on precepts
like freedom, rights, and education
If one is in chains, then no one is free
Remember that – you’ll heal our nation
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Sherry Blue Sky
Good one, Amy! “Control’s made of dollars” for sure. Therein lies the problem. Thanks for addressing this topic. Very timely.
Sharp Little Pencil
This came from a conversation with my sister, whose politics are more conservative than my own. We disagree, but we love each other!
While we here on Main Street bicker about race – “black vs. white,” Mexican vs. US Citizen, Arab vs. Israeli, Christian vs. Muslim… Everyone on “Avenue K” (the lobbyists) are raking in the real color… GREEN!
Debbie
Great poem and I loved the intro about not wearing speedos! haha! 🙂
Dick
Send this to Pete Seeger for banjo accompaniment, Amy. It’s a great rallying call in difficult times. (But you’d better be quick: he’s over 90!)
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, if only… but I did have Pete and Woody and all the great folkies in mind. Remember when it was counter-cultural to be anti-war? Now it’s just plain unpatriotic, according to my sisters… oh well.
Thanks! Amy
uponthewingsofnight
I really like the sentiments put forth in this poem, especially the last stanza. As they say in the labor movement, an injury to one is an injury to all.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen. Solomon Burke (RIP): “One of us in chains, none of us are free.”