Think! What is our decayed Democracy
But special interests, writ large and small?
Its principles project hypocrisy—
Pay for want! Moral philosophy? Mauled
By greed, self-righteousness (but mostly greed).
One wit once observed: “Two things control all
Politics—money’s first [a simple creed],
The second I forgot!” And so the pall
That shrouds elections falls yet again. Each
Interest, to advance its cause, curries
Favor with copious cash—like leeches,
Voracious, sucking the Republic’s blood.
No Philosopher King to cut the knot,
Nor even an Enlightened (mild) Despot.
(10/19/07)