From the field of politicians
There are times we must decide
Which of the aspiring candidates
In the White House should reside

Often these two folks will argue
And present their points of view
In a rash attempt to challenge
Charm, convince, and muster you .

It can be quite entertaining
When you watch the two debate
Ever different, quite confusing,
As they wrestle out their fates.

Media gossip, advertisements,
Glamorous ads on each TV
Bumperstickers, campaign rallies,
Billboards everyone should see.

Editorials in the papers,
Talk shows, documentaries
Signs on every road and corner-
Costing each enormous fees.

Meanwhile the people brainstorm
Perfectionism dare;
A dream come true for everyone
A wish list they prepare.

“Who will give me better healthcare?
I want taxes to be low!!
And make sure that I am safer
Than I was a year ago!”

“Education must be top-notch;
Gas price low, we all agree-
And a stash of money kept
For each hardworking family.”

“I insist that national income
Stay forever all-time high
And of course the Chief Executive
Cannot ever tell a lie!”

“Naturally, there can be no recession-
He will have to see to that
And the UN won’t intrude
When this man is up to bat.”

“He must cater to the seniors
To keep me worry-free;
Keep an eye on global warming,
Save every jungle tree!”

“He will have a set of values
Even Moses would admire-
He will lead us into glory
Every citizen lifted higher!”

“The envy of the nations
America will be-
The land of the brave
And the home of the free.”

“Who will grant us all these wishes?
Who will watch the mortgage rates?
He must pamper Medicare,
Protect the felons and their fates.”

“Which can lead us into battle
And keep Headstart on a roll?
He must be the planet’s hero-
Popularity without lull.”

“The French will have to love him
He must please us all alike;
Keep an eye on the economy
In case the work force strikes.”

“To stamp out every problem
This man will have to be
Tall, eloquent, handsome ;
The freest of the free!”

“Which candidate is suited
To bear this dreadful task
To be my Prince Perfection
And do whatever I ask ?”

“To spend me into happiness-
And buy my fears away?
To give the terrorists a threat
In hopes they’ll go away ?”

“To charm me into loving him-
Guard welfare with his life:
Keep all the Congressmen in line;
And never cheat his wife?”

“Make sure the Judges do their job
And even better still
See to it that I have the right
To marry whom I will ??”

“Explain the Constitution
In words I’ll understand;
The right to die and the right to life
Dealt in a single hand !”

“He’ll leave no child left behind
To stumble on through life;
The teachers all will be content
With no more budget strife!”

“The ‘wall’ between our church and state
He’ll guard with strictest care;
For if a gate were ever built…...
Would a windowpane be fair?”

“The deficit must vanish
Never to rear its head – For surplus is the fashion,
As I have always said.”

“He’ll keep the World Court in its place,
The economy going strong-
For if it isn’t I will know
My leader has gone wrong.”

“See to it all the good have guns-
And all the bad guys don’t;
Keep ALL the nations happy-
Let all the Arabs vote.”

“The Middle East, he’ll recreate,
Make each one’s dream come true;
Transform it into roses, this
His magic touch will do. ”

“Which candidate will give me rights
I never had before?
The right to show whatever I like
On television more?”

“Which candidate can please us ALL
Not step on any toes?
Agree with us in EVERYTHING
And never utter “no’s” ?”

And so they bicker out the time
He said this and she said that – “No you didn’t”, “Yes I did”-
Argueing over every gnat.

One is more convincing
But then the other speaks-
Even the genius is confused
The undecided seeks.

“Which candidate supports what view?
Incumbent though they be
Each one is very wealthy-
Yet indentifies with me!”

And so the people murmur
The challenger makes a fuss;
“With populace so demanding
What will become of us?”

Each one extols his virtues
With promises and smiles;
While children watch in wonder,
And lobbyists log down miles.

“My opponent is not steady,
He likes to change his mind”
“But you are mean and greedy-
A tyrant to mankind.”

We look at our opinions-
Reevaluate them, too;
And sober, reconsider:
What’s the right thing to do?

The polls will try to guess it-
Decipher all our thoughts;
Tell all the world what we will do
Before the ballot box.

And then responsible voters
Head to the voting booths,
To give us their opinion
On all alleged untruths.

Some sit there, still deciding,
Thinking about the men
The ones who run for office,
Who fail, yet try again.

Thinking about the words they say-
The values they hold dear;
Deciding who is best for us
To lead a few more years.

And then they cast their ballots-
Steadfastly sure within,
Waiting to hear the verdict;
“MAY THE BEST MAN WIN !!”

-Sarah Greek
November 2004