Welcome to My Poetry Site
You Scratch My Back; I'll Scratch Yours
"You scratch my back; I'll scratch yours.
Our work together underscores
The advantages of quid pro quo;
Make your deal and then lie low."
That's the motto--the new hymn--
A Texan anthem, tidy and prim.
Leaders and companies in collusion;
The loss of our rights--a foregone conclusion.
Ammonium nitrate--as a rule--
Is dangerous near your house or school.
But not in Texas, no siree!
There are no zoning laws, you see.
There's almost NO place where you CAN'T
Build your ammonium nitrate plant.
And with no statewide fire code,
Your plant could easily explode.
In Texas last year that occurred;
From miles away the people heard
The explosion leaving fifteen dead,
With many injured and damage widespread.
After a tragedy on such a scale,
You'd think the leaders would assail
The lack of safety in their laws--
You'd think that it would give them pause.
The state's Attorney General, however,
Changed ONE thing ONLY, and that--how clever!--
Was knowing the location of chemical sites
That are potentially dangerous is not in our rights.
In short, they're not required anymore
To say where they are--even IF next door!
I can say that would make me nervous;
Such dangerous laws do us a disservice.
Concerned Texans are up in arms.
While A G Abbott works his charms.
When politicians and businesses mix,
Just watch what's in their bag of tricks.
Is it coincidence, or are we none the wiser?
But Koch Industries Fertilizer
In Sweetwater, Texas, is run by Chase Koch.
(And what I am telling you here is no joke.)
By donating thousands to Abbott's campaign,
Koch, of course, knew what he could gain.
His dad also threw in some cash.
Quid pro quo? Or were they just being brash?
Some CEOs find regulation a curse.
To them, any control is perverse.
Safety laws are not needed, they say.
And they don't mind putting us in harm's way.
Back to the motto--you know the song--
Listen and watch how they string us along.
A little scrutiny will often reveal
That it's all about money and making a deal.
"You scratch my back; I'll scratch yours.
Our work together underscores
The advantages of quid pro quo;
Make your deal and then lie low."
(7-9-14)
Our work together underscores
The advantages of quid pro quo;
Make your deal and then lie low."
That's the motto--the new hymn--
A Texan anthem, tidy and prim.
Leaders and companies in collusion;
The loss of our rights--a foregone conclusion.
Ammonium nitrate--as a rule--
Is dangerous near your house or school.
But not in Texas, no siree!
There are no zoning laws, you see.
There's almost NO place where you CAN'T
Build your ammonium nitrate plant.
And with no statewide fire code,
Your plant could easily explode.
In Texas last year that occurred;
From miles away the people heard
The explosion leaving fifteen dead,
With many injured and damage widespread.
After a tragedy on such a scale,
You'd think the leaders would assail
The lack of safety in their laws--
You'd think that it would give them pause.
The state's Attorney General, however,
Changed ONE thing ONLY, and that--how clever!--
Was knowing the location of chemical sites
That are potentially dangerous is not in our rights.
In short, they're not required anymore
To say where they are--even IF next door!
I can say that would make me nervous;
Such dangerous laws do us a disservice.
Concerned Texans are up in arms.
While A G Abbott works his charms.
When politicians and businesses mix,
Just watch what's in their bag of tricks.
Is it coincidence, or are we none the wiser?
But Koch Industries Fertilizer
In Sweetwater, Texas, is run by Chase Koch.
(And what I am telling you here is no joke.)
By donating thousands to Abbott's campaign,
Koch, of course, knew what he could gain.
His dad also threw in some cash.
Quid pro quo? Or were they just being brash?
Some CEOs find regulation a curse.
To them, any control is perverse.
Safety laws are not needed, they say.
And they don't mind putting us in harm's way.
Back to the motto--you know the song--
Listen and watch how they string us along.
A little scrutiny will often reveal
That it's all about money and making a deal.
"You scratch my back; I'll scratch yours.
Our work together underscores
The advantages of quid pro quo;
Make your deal and then lie low."
(7-9-14)
