I am deeply troubled that Texas Gov. Rick Perry is polling so high in the latest round of results matching up the current crop of GOP presidential hopefuls. Not only does he not represent the values that make a city like Austin so wonderful, IMHO, but he also fails to reflect the core values that have made the Republican Party a stalwart in American politics since before Abe Lincoln's time. To him and his supporters, I give you this ode: Oh, the Republicans...
Oh, the Republicans
How I long to join you
But you make it impossible
To ever be proud of you
With your pandering ways
Your revolving door candidacies
Lack of historical perspective
And short-sighted policies
Oh, the Republicans
The party I long to affiliate
So little concern for democracy, it seems
Yet a keen desire to dictate
We don’t need your religion
Nor do we want your tea
We just want real solutions
Not just for you, but for we
Oh, the Republicans
I was once a card holder
But while America’s cities get younger
Your legislative concepts get older
Waiting for you to wake up
It looks like it’ll be awhile
Before we get a legit sex-ed plan
You’d rather put Roe v. Wade on trial
Oh, the Republicans
People are jobless and poorly schooled
Your focus on the wealthy and privately learned
Leads to our public education system’s ridicule
Wasted opportunities aplenty
Immigration, Wall Street regulation and such
Us brown people and paycheck to paycheck types
Realize you don’t really care for us much
Oh, the Republicans
You use the Bible and union bashing as shields
Although neither is a primary source
By which sound federal policy yields
Wicked games you often play
Going using social issues to incite hate
So much time passed being controversial
Diplomacy and open minds show up too late
Oh, the Republicans
I believe you know Lincoln and Teddy
Are today’s voices in politics for the right reasons
Or just opinionated and camera-ready?
Work on something meaningful
I’m talking about lasting and valued endeavors
You may have a solid base of supporters
But you don’t have your shit together
Oh, the Republicans
Fiscal restraint with little environmental concern
Education reform with faulty judicial prudence
Issues you should be leading at every political turn
Why must you insist on this path
Of minimal dialogue and talking head sensations
When the history of the party
Is one of political prowess and innovation
Oh, the Republicans
From Lincoln’s Proclamation and Teddy’s Yellowstone
To Senator Dirksen’s leadership and Mayor Guiliani’s tone
Wondrous accomplishments to build upon
If only the sincere and true focus were there
Your candidates say they want to be President
But can they show us why we should care?