Perspectives On Executive Annoyance

(An imagined conversation, in the form of a poem, in the highest office in the land...)

You called, sir? Yes, sir? You're annoyed?
But why, sir? You should be overjoyed!
All these wordy salvos being deployed,
Are just the cost of being so employed.

"Just look at the things they say.
Attacked on all sides every day."

Come now, chum, don't dismay,
Why this right here, it's the American way!

From the get go, our voices were first.
To King George we were the worst!
And even though words can hurt,
Our free speech is a not a curse.
So, sure every presidential bloke,
Who's ever stood up and spoke,
Has wished he'd had an impenetrable cloak,
To prevent a critique or a joke.
It may seem like intolerable cruelty.
Yet, we dispensed with total monarchy,
And cobbled together a new reality.
Now our leaders report to you and me.

And so, it's par for the course,
When we change riders or the horse,
Our press and voices wield such force,
There's no hiding behind closed doors.

FDR and the press often clashed.
Lyndon Johnson was clearly bashed.
The Bushes smiled, but their teeth were gnashed.
Where exactly was Cheney stashed?
Ford, depicted as buffoon.
Theodore sued to change the tune.
Andrew Jackson was a loon!
Henry Harrison, gone too soon?
Truman's doctrine was so thin.
Taft refused to let Arizona in.
Madison ignored inept Wilkinson,
And let's not speak of Jefferson.
Reagan made of teflon coating.
Kennedy and all that boating.
Years of tears and we're still voting.
Obama's drama is worth noting.
And Clinton? Too easy. Let's not waste the time!
Under Lincoln, half the country resigned.
Even Washington had his principles maligned,
Not terribly long after the Constitution was signed.

So, you see, this is nothing new.
In a country like ours it's what we do.
We cut and jab at the lucky few.
Our words are honed sharp and true.
And that is how our stripes remain,
Through the years of growth and pain.
One man's sorrow is a nation's gain,
When we question in liberty's name.
Beneath this beacon, this shining tower,
Political animals should rightfully cower.
Citizens on watch every hour.
Our responsibility to speak truth to power.

3-5-19