Prose

Millennium Election

It was snowing that morning when I went to the polls.

I was among the first and thought you should know,

That I cast my ballot after checking it twice,

Having weighed my options and considered advice.

The rest of my day dragged on with anticipation,

Wondering who would be picked to lead our great nation.

I expected a close one and doubted forecasts,

But like a Biblical paradox, the first became last.

It was going Gore's way with the first swing state call,

But the momentum shifted when Tennessee did fall,

To his worthy opponent who delivered still more shock,

By an upset victory in a state home to both Clinton and Little Rock.

But the Sunshine State delivered for Gore,

And I began preparing myself for another four

Years headed in the opposite direction,

Of what I had sought in this election.

I surfed through the channels without much hope at all,

Until I found one that said it was too close to call.

The Florida prediction had been made in haste,

And in a matter of moments, this was again a tight race.

I bounced among networks to confirm what I'd seen.

And like synchronized swimmers, they were all changing their screens.

Embarrassed anchors and color coded maps

Each reflected their changes before more time elapsed.

So once more for the evening, I did settle in.

I was in for the long haul with hopes of a win.

With microwave popcorn and drinks high in caffeine,

I watched well past midnight until Bush Wins flashed on the screen.

This was all that I'd hoped for, it went down to the wire.

Though shocked by the suddenness, I was ready to retire.

I love the contest and the spirited fight,

But could pass on the speeches, so I said goodnight.

But a few hours later when I returned to the screen,

I then did discover that Gore did not concede.

The Florida tally was now too close to call,

And canvassing boards were recounting them all.

Like most who had voted, I wondered who'd won,

Were votes being retallied? Had the recount begun?

I was glad for my rest and not staying awake,

But like millions of others, wondered how long this would take.

I am generally patient and seldom obsess,

But now wanted the answer, to that I confess.

I had a stake in the outcome as all of us do,

Would Florida's recount the victor undo?

Yes I wanted Bush, I've said that before,

But was fully prepared for four years of Gore.

Neither garnered support as each party hoped,

But each gave it their best and fought for the vote.

Hindsight is easy and most often right,

But never around in the heat of the fight.

But the voting was over and only recounting remained,

And soon a new total would tell us who'd reign.

From an oval shaped office in a house painted white,

One would honor Old Glory and stand up for what's right.

And swear unto God to support and defend,

A document so honored, it's tough to amend.

He'd command the armed forces and commit them at times,

While back on the home front he'd sort nickels and dimes,

On every dollar earned by the people of this land,

Some set aside for the future, others returned to their hands.

But the counting continued in the state most southeast,

And each county tallied from the most to the least.

Prepared for the worst I did hopefully stare,

At a victory for Bush until someone shouted unfair!

In a county called Palm--that's on the east side,

Voters touted confusion had their votes denied.

And before the eyes of a nation, this story unveiled,

Of a butterfly ballot and how it caused travail.

Then from out of nowhere, people started to shout,

The machines are unfair, let the people recount!

And hands started counting but minds couldn't agree,

On the will of the people in the land of the free.

A chad that was missing was surely a vote,

But one hanging on for life did objection invoke.

Pregnant and dimpled became the terms of the day,

Could a three person board view a chad the same way?

In the midst of this din, amongst all the clatter,

Someone shouted let's see if overseas votes settle the matter.

Deployed Soldiers and Airmen, Marines and Sailors embarked,

Could put this matter to rest if their votes were postmarked.

But the nature of warriors takes them to out of the way places,

Where airlift and routing sometimes preclude date stamping graces.

While those serving this country didn't create this flaw,

Their votes may go uncounted because that's the law.

If there weren't turmoil enough by those on the street,

Scores of party faithfuls decide to turn up the heat.

With so much at risk and no one trusting fate,

Each team launched their armies lead by a Secretary of State.

These were not legions of men bearing arms,

But platoons of spin doctors sent to sound the alarm.

For a vote left uncounted was justice undone,

But the law of the state said that the state had been won.

Then the will of the people became a battle cry,

As some hand counts continued, others weren't tried.

Then lawyers descended upon the state flock by flock,

As these ongoing recounts were fighting the clock.

The timeline provided was steadfast in law,

But with so many lawyers, no one would withdraw.

So backed in a corner and without much time,

One side sued to change the pending deadline.

As suits and petitions did others evoke,

The television showed voters bought for a smoke.

Campaigns can be ugly from the day they begin,

But these have restarted slinging mud once again.

As the seconds ticked by, eyes turned to the Secretary of State,

But her duties were halted by a court that told her to wait.

So more counting continued, but one county quit,

They went home for Thanksgiving and Gore threw a fit.

As tensions grew, some sought a humorous note.

If you don't like my driving, you should see how I vote.

Posters and stickers poked fun at the plight,

Of those who lean left voting far to the right.

But at least for one weekend, everything seemed okay,

Football ruled in Tallahassee, at least for a day.

And thousands converged for this annual meet,

While reporters and lawyers were thrown out on the street.

The spotlight returned to the Secretary of State,

She held fast to the deadline, though one county was late.

In ceremonious fashion, she certified totals of those who had voted,

Bush was the winner, by a thin margin she noted.

Whether you like Gore or not, he had one up his sleeve,

He stepped into the spotlight and asked for reprieve.

His tactics had changed and roles seemed reversed,

Isn't this what his opponent said he should try first?

But Gore's earlier win at the state's highest court,

Cost him time now in this course of current resort.

Fast forward with caution or deliberate speed,

Due process and urgency were the first issues to plead.

Was vote counting evidence or remedy only,

A judge named Saul could not claim to be lonely.

Parties were assembled in person and by phone,

Being unfair to both parties was the best could be done.

A much shortened scheduled was quickly revealed,

But before the ink dried it was already appealed.

The judge ordered ballots delivered, in case they were needed,

But before they can be counted, standards must be completed.

But by the law of the state, the count is complete,

So the ballots are in boxes, stacked ever so neat.

But if Gore's attorneys can quickly prove their case,

The counting will commence, but at what pace?

The law is not balanced, it assigns burdens of proof.

The loser must first show that somebody goofed.

These errors must also show improper discretion,

By those sworn to conduct a proper election.

While justice may be blind, the public is not,

And transition meetings are perceived as a plot.

To weaken the Vice President's claim to a win,

So he appears on TV, again and again.

I give him credit for gumption. His sleeves are rolled for the fight.

A half-hearted effort would only seem trite.

His armies are focused where he thinks he can win,

While he fights other fronts where his chances are thin.

But in the heat of the battle his efforts are gagged,

Not by his opponent, but by a room full of flags.

Are they to accent his words or stir our emotion?

Should we all join his cause and share his devotion?

As has been the case since November eighth,

We are told to be patient, told to have faith.

In our system of government based on the law of the land.

Our founding fathers left us a very good plan.

But law and power are tenuous partners,

What one prescribes the other can alter.

Not with cannon or rifle or a battalion of tanks,

But with the meaning of words read by those in the ranks.

Of lawmakers and judges upholding the same Constitution.

Are they looking for conflict or seeking resolution?

They'll read the same words and disagree for hours,

On where the line is, in separation of powers.

Do they strictly interpret and show judicial restraint,

Or derive intent and suffer complaint,

From those who would hold long and fast,

To what is not amended from our glorious past.

Are we truly in crisis? Is our old system ailing?

Will it finally produce a Chief Executive for hailing?

Will the will of the people be cast on the ropes?

Is this a time for despair or a time for new hope?

Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions in this situation.

Our system's built not for perfection, but perpetuation.

To keep tyranny at bay, we increased our chances,

By dividing power into three federal branches.

Remember that we emerged from a confederation,

People and states share rights and power in this nation.

It's an interesting balance with occasional contradiction,

Whose paradox is best revealed during times of friction.

A College of Electors now faces a dubious fate.

They are selected for their loyalty, but who'll select their slate?

Some believe they are archaic and that we can do without them.

But have we really looked to see how they fit into our system?

Some claim popular vote should pick who leads the nation.

But you can't just drop one component without changing the equation.

Yes I agree that a full review deserves its finest hour,

But a hasty rush to judgment could shift our balance of power.

Finally we arrive at the question of who is disenfranchised.

In process flawed by many things, can the truth be truly recognized?

Perhaps that truth lies not so much in the man who finally wins,

But in the simplest of facts, that soon we'll will vote again.

This lesson of self government is perhaps its greatest beauty,

With the precious right to vote, must come a diligence in exercising that duty.

We've shown the world where we fell short, despite our best intent,

But democracy makes better sense, when we remember it's a grand experiment.

Years from now in calmer times when children ask us questions,

About how we picked a president in the millennium election.

The ballots, cases, and harsh words said before one man finally quit,

Will have faded in our memories, replaced with what we learned from it.

The 2000 Vote

My stomach's still churning with election results

Why don't we just count them

Instead of shouting insults.

The will of the people, I hope will prevail

By the process we honor

It's worth the travail.

The election is over, but campaigns ramble on

In the streets and the courts

Because you don't like who has won.

No ballot is perfect. That much is sure.

But to cry after the fact

Is at best immature.

Voting's our right and that's guaranteed

By the Law of the Land,

Will we forgo it for greed?

It was a close race for sure, there's no doubt on that.

But the people have chosen

And that should be that.

Let the recounts continue, that only makes sense.

But the playing field was quite level

Make no other pretense.

Instructions to voters were to read and understand

Before casting your ballot

For the chief of this land.

Mistakes are unfortunate, I'm sure we'll find more.

But they are proportionate in numbers

To many before.

It's an imperfect system that relies on volunteers.

But what hangs in the balance

To all must be dear.

Not victory for Al or even for George

But for this thing that we've cherished

Ever since Valley Forge.

The will of the People was to make Washington king.

But we divided the powers

To ensure freedom rings.

Split among branches and even the states

An electoral college

Gives us all a fair stake.

Sure we could change it, and someday we might.

But not in election midstream

Like a thief in the night.

So let the counting continue so we'll know who is first.

But stop the campaigning

You're making this worse.

Don't cry foul where you lose while others you ignore.

Let the process unfold

And we'll see who wants Gore.

I didn't vote for you and I wasn't alone.

But your victory I'll honor

If you truly won.

I hope the final tally is as close as one vote.

And that in such a race

A country awoke.

And discovered the duty behind casting that vote.

This is serious business

Not a hole punching joke.

Voter carelessness does not an election rescind.

Remember your oath

To Support and Defend.

And respect the process. Don't twist it for gain.

Men died for these rights.

Don't make that in vain.

You've fought the good fight, that can't be denied.

Now step back with honor

And see what the voters decide.

Many of us have read books to our children from the Dr. Seuss collection. Here's one in that same genre for our older children to read to us.

In Familiar Genre

Did you vote on that November Day?

Did you sing along the way?

Did you vote for good, not bad?

Then why are all the voters sad?

Did you punch through your ballot or just make a dent?

Will the machine know your true intent?

Did you vote out of duty or because it was rad?

Did you get to meet the infamous Chad?

You talked about Dubya, Nader, and Gore,

But you never mentioned Chad before.

He's on the news a lot these days,

But they never let you see his face.

He's quite athletic, that's for sure,

With all the swinging and hanging he endures.

But now I've heard of pregnant Chad,

Is there something you haven't told me, dad?

Did you leave out something about the birds and the bees

Chad's a guy, right? Like you and me.

I'm not saying that this is bad,

But is he mother or father, this pregnant Chad?

Was he even married? Did he elope to Niagara?

Could this be the result of Palm County Viagra?

Look, I'm still sorting out puberty and pimples,

Please tell me this had nothing to do with his dimples.

You said this voting was about an election,

But it sounds like this Chad didn't use any protection.

Yes I know about that. You needn't get sore,

I've seen eight years of the news about Clinton and Gore.

You should be proud of my thirst for political knowledge,

I've even applied to the Electoral College.

I can handle their schedule and still drink lots of beer,

It seems that they only meet once every four years.

And if my grades fall even the slightest amount,

I'll send them all back for another recount.

Again and again, until they're real mad,

It seems to have worked for this fellow named Chad.

Voter Turnout

Pending election in the future of the nation

Candidates rise to meet the occasion

Some fall quickly by the wayside

Others continue for the rest of the ride.

Interest comes and then it goes

Conventions mark the party crescendo

Nominees get launched on the highest note

While party faithful work to get out the vote.

Those still navigating the election maze

Pick up the tempo in the final days

TV ads and stump speech clips

Target undecided voters that might just switch.

Absentee ballots and cards of registration

Are indicators of inclination

But very much like the poll of the day

They take second place to what the ballots say.

Now in past years, as you surely know

The closest races ended when one candidate let go

Some contests continued late into the night

'Til hope gave way to statesmanship and one gave up the fight.

But the millennium election took a different turn

The vote was close most everywhere and no winner was discerned

'Tis true in the world of politics, there's much that is not fair

But those who know the game, know that's neither here nor there.

The illusion of self government is vested in the vote

Yet every ballot box holds errors, some significant, some not

And when you dig into those counts that foster our illusion

It's difficult to find the line between error and collusion.

For when millions cast their ballots for national decision

The factors of confusion defy the simplest math division

For those that walked into the booth are greater than the vote

And if there's no punch for a candidate, should the courts we then invoke?

Our history has not gone there, until this past November

Should we shout with joy for such recourse, or should our hearts be somber

For fairness can elude us in every ballot box

But the justice of the courtroom leaves few to cast our lot.

'Tis a messy situation, but one we've had before

But in those days of statesmanship, such shortfalls were ignored

By a candidate who honored those who'd gone before him

And acting as a patriot, said let the other win.

And once such words were uttered, the outcome could not be undone

Such love for country offered no recourse, this is no Court of Solomon

Yes there were grounds for further fighting and even a contest

But past decisions were abiding in what's for the country's best.

Now in the current situation, the plaintiff argues much the same

That's it's in our own best interest, to have every vote explained

On the surface it's a worthy cause that should excite us all

But do the facts support this claim in a race to close to call.

For anyone that's taken on such a monumental task

Finds the narrowness of focus cannot this standard pass

For revision of a system is a noble cause,

But to simply change an outcome must surely bring us pause.

To count each and every vote is only just and fair

But if we are to do just that, why not everywhere?

Yes the system needs some fixing, you'll get no argument

A ballot cast should be counted with the right intent.

And now the courts must soon decide what the voter really meant

When no hole is punched for president, could that only be dissent

Or was it lack of effort or simply too confusing

Must the voter be attentive or do we subsidize perusing?

We're not warriors in this battle, but have a vantage point

As the lawyer legions wage their war for a president to anoint

Our duty lasted only moments when our vote we cast

But will those in the long black robes turn the first into the last?

There are no easy answers in a system filled with flaws

Is the will of the people truly opposed to a nation run by laws

How did we get into such a fix, could it ever happen again

Is this a function of the system or a failure of these men?

Is this our nation's lowest point after two centuries of glory

Or will history soon regard it as just another story

In the annals of America, filled with honor, filled with blood

We're quick to offer help when struck by tragedy or flood.

Does the intent of the voter require a trained detective

Or is the focus of this day too myopic a perspective

Should we survive this century, what will be this year's account

Will historians note struggle and division, or only voter turnout?

Won't You Go Home Bill Daley

Make no mistake about it, this is a partisan piece. After ten non-stop days of rhetoric, some more civil than others, I offer this tribute to the campaign spokesman that most irritated me. Please accept my apologies as you sing along to the chorus tune of Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey. If you are a first time voter, you might have to ask your parents to help you with the tune.

Won't You Go Home Bill Daley

Won't you go home Bill Daley

Won't you go home?

You gab the whole day long.

You've done your damage, Bugsy,

You've sewed dissent,

You know you've done us wrong.

'Member that Butterfly Ballot that

You wanted out

Court says you're on your own.

I know Chad's to blame,

Well, ain't that ashame

Bill Daley won't you please go home.

50 Ways To Get A Recount

With apologies to Paul Simon

The problem's all inside your head he said to me

The answer is easy if you take it logically

I'd like to help you as you try to elect me

There must be fifty ways to get a recount.

He said it's really not his habit to intrude

Furthermore, he hoped he hopes his meaning won't be lost or misconstrued

But he'll repeat himself at the risk of being crude

There must be fifty ways to get a recount

Fifty ways to get a recount.

You just file a new case, Ace

Make it sound grand, Stan

Try a new ploy, Roy

Just listen to me

Make a big fuss, Gus

You don't need to discuss much

Just turn up the TV

And listen to me.

He said it grieves him so to see me in such pain

He wished there was something he could do to make me vote again

I said I don't appreciate that and would you please refrain

From the fifty ways.

He said why don't you just sleep on it tonight

And he believed in the morning I'd see that he was right

And then the TV showed him talking to everyone in sight

There must be fifty ways to get a recount

Fifty ways to get a recount.

Just file a new brief, Chief

Bring in a band, Man

Make a few calls, Paul

Just listen to me

Add a few flags, Mag

You don't need the law, Saul

Just turn up the TV

And listen to me.