Government's the Problem

Deadline Poet

By Calvin Trillin

This article appeared in the February 27, 2006 edition of The Nation.

February 9, 2006

(A reprise of the Republican Sea Chantey, sung by the Bush Administration's famed All Thumbs Chorale)

Some seniors say they're baffled by
Our drug plan, and we won't deny
It's complicated. That's too bad,
But complications simply had
To be included in this plan:
We promised donors when we ran
That we'd enrich with every claim
Our pals in the insurance game.
If they don't get their cut, you see,
It's socialistic as can be--
Like Medicare, which we've surmised
Should certainly be privatized.

'Cause government's the problem, lads, Americans would all do well to shun it. Yes, government's the problem, lads. At least it is when we're the ones who run it.

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About Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation's "deadline poet." He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1963 and has written the syndicated weekly column "Uncivil Liberties" since 1986. He has authored many, many books, including Tepper's Not Going Out and Deadline Poet: My Life as a Doggerelist. more...
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