America values humility,
anyone “to big for their britches” gets sentenced to rebuke
whenever wiser majorities assert.
Sharks are not at liberty
to rip up minnows
no matter great teeth.
America values church,
and places for remembering
God, not demigods
nor demagogues
nor excommunication
for political disagreement.
America values patriotism,
dissent and participation.
America repudiates jingoism
does not take for granted real support for troops,
demands that presidents share responsibility
repudiates slaughter and torture of innocents.
© Arthur Ruger 2007
Curmudgeon at Work 