rearguard

Mnuchin sneers; his people won't comply
'though Congress has full right to all the facts.
To earn Trump's love, he's hell-bent to defy
a rightful requisition of Trump's tax.
But chairman Neal'd extend his long arm's reach,
and courts would find no grounds to block the blow,
if Nancy'd pull the lever to impeach.
That process validates his need to know.
Executive amok, whom Mitch won't check;
a constitution crisis in our times
can't goad the turtle-monster to object
while DoJ pretends there've been no crimes.
I'll make the popcorn; drag your chairs around!
The Watergate reprise is back in town.

High Crimes and Misdemeanors II

Bob Mueller's far too prudent to defy
internal guidelines of the DoJ.
But call him up! He'll gladly testify:
what Trump has perpetrated's not okay.
The SpecialCounsel still inspires some awe,
and even Donald understood he's "fucked".
Of all the ways he violates the law,
the unifying theme's been to obstruct.
McConnell plays defense, while Barr attacks;
each rationalization's more absurd.
Joined at the hip in guarding Donald's back,
 their oaths of office were just empty words.
The factions that so worried Madison
close ranks regardless what "their" felon's done.

High Crimes and Misdemeanors

Bob Mueller's far too prudent to defy
internal guidelines of the DoJ.
But call him up! He'll gladly testify:
what Trump has perpetrated's not okay.
The SpecialCounsel still inspires some awe,
and even Donald understood he's "fucked".
Of all the ways he violates the law,
the unifying theme  is to obstruct.
McConnell plays defense, while Barr attacks;
each rationalization's more absurd.
They're unified in guarding Donald's back,
 their oaths of office were just empty words.
The factions that so worried Madison
close ranks regardless what "their" felon's done.

concern trolling

Conservatives flog Biden as the man
that Democrats'd be "wise" to nominate.
Big corporations see in him a fan,
who'd block the State that dared to regulate.
Liz Warren has them quaking in their boots;
they haven't faced her ilk since FDR.
A friend of Labor judging their disputes,
and prosecuting sycophants like Barr.
Two parties in the bankers' golden thrall,
abandoned Labor generations past.
If they're not to be stood against the wall,
one must speak for the Left, and hold it fast.
JRubin should rebuild her own failed team;
she's got no writ to steer the Blue machine.

I'll bring the marshmallows

Joe Biden gives Liz Warren a great foil
to show how corporations write "our" code.
This smiling astroturfed son of the soil
tracks every donor and how much they're owed.
The White House taunts him, coyly out of reach
so patiently, this Boy Scout waits "his turn"!
Professor Warren's prepped and primed to teach
a lesson he'll be crestfallen to learn.
The on-shore haven corporations use
assured their government has got their backs
is Delaware, where peons pay their dues
while corporations there shirk laws, and tax.
The CHANGE Americans need, this time 'round
is more than voting out one venal clown.

transparency

Pete Buttigieg speaks less than half his mind
expounding narrative, not policy.
He'll freely speak of what he's left behind,
but what's ahead's not there for us to see.
Obama's "looking forward, and not back"
precluded prosecuting anyone.
But mayor Pete's unbothered that we lack
clue-one of what he thinks ought to be done.
"I'm smart; just trust me" won't cut any ice
when Warren's program's all lined up to roll.
This contest must not be just who sounds nice;
our planet's future's riding on this poll.
'Though youthful candidates get fawning fuss,
the bankers' fav'rites just don't work for us.

Centrism

Pete Buttigieg advances our discourse
of what's meant by a "proud American".
In SouthBend, or projecting Naval Force,
he's risen to the leadership of men.
But where he stands on issues isn't clear;
he'd rather feed us narrative and charm.
He never makes the points I'm poised to hear;
some donors, he's reluctant to alarm.
To save our system from its own excess--
as Teddy Roosevelt did in his time--
unless we break some eggs, we can't redress
two parties hostage to ongoing crime.
Conservatives assure us we love Pete,
but status quo's a ticket to defeat.