Obama opposes extending tax breaks

The president says the nation cannot afford to foot the bill for a tax break for the wealthy. He told an audience in Ohio that such a move helped put the country in its current fiscal difficulties.



A Taxing Challenge

The president feels it's time
To raise taxes on the rich;
But help for the rest of us
Was also in his pitch.

He criticized opponents
And said, in his address,
Fewer taxes for the wealthy
Is what got us in "this mess."

The administration's striving,
In the face of disapproval,
To goose our fiscal fortunes
And stem a feared removal.


©  2010  Jim Gordon

Democrats scramble to save House

A dull economy, discontented voters, and an erosion in the president’s popularity is making it scary for Democrats up for re-election this year. National polls show voters as split or leaning toward the GOP.


Strive To Survive

The president’s hoping to turn things around
By helping his party somehow to rebound
From what seems to be taking political toll
Threatening its chances to maintain control.

With voters upset, the economy dull,
Obama’s repute’s in a bit of a lull.
There’s a chance it could mean a liberal demise
And a return of command to the conservative guys.

 
©  2010  Jim Gordon

Obama announces a job-creating plan

The president has announced a plan to create new jobs, which includes rebuilding roads and rails. The program would cost an estimated $50 Billion.  As his fellow democrats prepare to vie for reelection in November, the Republicans have told the administration it can expect no help from their side of the aisle.


FDR Revisited?

Obama has a plan to make some jobs
A year, or there abouts, on down the road.
He’s stepping up the war on unemployment
As he sees his popularity erode.

His plan includes rebuilding many roads
And improving things on runways and the rails.
The price, he says, is fifty-billion dollars;
And voters all await to hear details.

Meantime, his party’s planning for November
With hopes that all will then be re-elected.
The GOP, meantime, has made it clear
Its assistance should, in no way, be expected.

©  2010  Jim Gordon

Parades and picnics kick off labor day weekend

People across the country enjoyed the final weekend of the summer with the traditional Labor Day parades, picnics, and cookouts.



Get A Job

Labor Day was first set up
To honor working folks.
It’s been a day to celebrate
And the source of many jokes.

The celebrations all began
In Eighteen Ninety-Four;
Long before we all downsized
And many shown the door.

 
©  2010  Jim Gordon

God was not needed for creation, says Britain’s Steven Hawking

According to physicist Stephen Hawking, the universe and all that in it could have happened without a divine creator. “The Grand Design,” a book which Hawking co-authored, suggests the solar system could have come from chaos through nature.



How’d It All Begin?

Stephen Hawking says creation
Doesn’t prove that God exists.
Facing some folks’ indignation,
Life, he says, needs no assists.

Was it chaos or design?
Remains to be seen, says author Steve,
It might not be a work divine
That all began with Adam and Eve.

©  2010  Jim Gordon

School boss nixes “gay”

An elementary school principal in Sydney, Australia told students decided to remove the word “gay” from an old campfire song when sung by his students. After some unexpected reaction, however, he’s reinstated the word. He notes, however, the kids will likely be singing the song less often.


Frantic Semantic

The word was causing giggles;
And here and there a snicker
But the principal’s decision
Has prompted some to bicker.

It once meant, simply, “happy,”
That one was full of cheer.
But now its other meaning
Makes some feel rather queer.

So the principal decided
To use “fun” instead of “gay” –
But after all the uproar,
The latter gets to stay.

 
©  2010  Jim Gordon

Residents angry over planned marijuana farm

Angry neighbors in Longmont, Colorado, plan to fight the idea of pot in their midst. An investor has won the right to grow medical marijuana, despite objections of residents. Colorado is one of 14 states that allows the cultivation of pot for medical purposes.



Going To Pot?

It may not be Nirvana
But folks say marijuana
Is something they would rather do without.

Neighbors, quite upset,
See it as a threat,
So, in opposition, plan to go all out.

They feel it will disrupt,
And otherwise corrupt
The comfort of their calm and cozy site.

To save their rural spot
From any kind of pot,
The neighbors plan to give it one last fight.

 
© 2010  Jim Gordon