Dressing Down The President
Removing the Medicare buy-in from the Senate health reform bill (to appease Senator Lieberman) was the last straw for Howard Dean. Dean says, “Kill the Senate Bill,” and I’m inclined to agree:
This is essentially the collapse of health care reform in the United States Senate. And, honestly, the best thing to do right now is kill the Senate bill and go back to the House and start the reconciliation process, where you only need 51 votes and it would be a much simpler bill.
I blame President Obama for this health reform fiasco. For it’s Obama who empowered Joe Lieberman to blackmail the Senate and hold health reform hostage.
And that brings me to my latest double limerick:
Dressing Down The President
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, your job is to lead.
You have failed. So has Senator Reid.
Seems you’d sign any swill
Labeled “health reform bill,”
And then brag that we’ve got what we need.
Yes, you’ve tragic’ly blown your great chance.
So spare us the song and the dance.
Though many will swear
You’ve done much for our care,
I am sorry — the prez has no pants.
Tags: Budget Reconciliation, Governor Dean, Harry Reid, Health Insurance, Health Reform, Lieberman, Medicare Buy-In, Obama
Awesome limerick. Your poetic grace is truly inspiring. Thank you so much for all the smiles.
Sincerely,
Paul Glenn
What a lovely thing to say, Paul. Thanks!
that’s great, Madeleine!
i needed a good laugh (and i tend to agree, too!)
Carole
xox
The Senate Majority Book
There’s a book
With lots of hooks
U-turns, skid marks, and drama,
The book has twists
The author insists
Is needed for signing Obama.
It’s no best seller
Like Joseph Heller,
But the book has plenty of clues,
No public option
For adoption
Only a policy Catch 22.
You must buy
From wise-guys
Your healthcare on an exchange,
But we’ll subsidize
That’s no surprise
Because profits are part of the range.
The book won’t contain
A Medicare frame
So give up on the government try,
And if your younger,
Ignore the hunger
Of single payer when your health dives.
The book’s a mystery
That repeats history,
So profiteers can smile with greed.
Is it really news
This book review
Is just another hairy read?
Molly Ivins once described George W. Bush as all hat and no cattle.
I wonder how she’d describe President Obama?
Obama’s a puffed empty shirt
Whose promises all seem to hurt
The voters are sore
Won’t play anymore
All tired they’re treated like dirt
The GOP loves that their stand
To stall things worked better than planned
Once they take the reins
Won’t take many brains
To see they’ll make Democrats banned.
Thanks, Carol! And thanks for the verse, Mark and Realist.
Question: Did anyone catch my very subtle reference to The Emperor’s New Clothes? Or was it way too subtle?
Actually, Mad, your limerick comment could be taken in a quite different context and still apply to the situation. I won’t get too specific because many people would find it quite crude, but I think that alone defines what I mean!
Thanks for your response, Realist. I’m guessing you’re referring to the subject matter of this limerick: http://www.madkane.com/humor_blog/2006/11/15/ballsy-limerick/ .
When I wrote my Dressing Down The President, I intended the “someone else is wearing the pants” meaning and the related (and less delicate) missing body parts meaning. I also hoped some would pick up on my reference to The Emperor’s New Clothes, but feared that was a long shot. Alas, as far as I can tell, nobody has picked up on it without prompting from me. Yet more proof that humor is hard work. :)
Got the new clothes ref. Here’s something off the top of my head. Hope my Yiddish isn’t too offensive.
Joe Lieberman’s such a big yutz.
Strutting ‘round like a guy who has guts.
The dems should unseat him,
Can’t someone defeat him?
Go home Joe and yank on your putz.
He sounds like the father of ALF,
And could use a good sock in the mouth.
Insurance cos. own him,
Would someone please phone him,
And tell him he makes us all ralph.
I enjoyed your verse, Bob. No problem with the language. And finally someone who got my Emperor’s New Clothes reference. I feel better now. :)
—> Realist..”I won’t get too specific because many people would find it quite crude”
Ok I’ll say it. The president has no balls.