Politicians trim and tack in their quest for power, but they do so in order to get the wind of votes in their sails.
quote by Ian Gilmour
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
First Past The Post
We should have a law that requires all Canadians to vote,
So looser politicians cannot feel so pompous and remote,
Because what the system of first-past-the-post denotes,
That the winner can win with a small proportion of the votes.
It’s all very nice if there are only two politicians running,
But if there are three or more the results could be stunning,
Because the combined votes of the loosers can be much more,
But the winner takes all and the constituents should deplore.
Therefore the majority of people are not represented,
And they are not allowed to show that they are discontented,
And the system can’t be changed because this is how it’s arranged,
Many many looser politicians who want nothing to change.
Dec 17th,2010
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
So Hard To Find
There are a few honest politicians so honest and faithful and kind
But they are such a small minority honest politicians are so hard to find
They would do almost anything for to hold on to power as power in their lives is their central theme
They put power in their lives before principle or at least that is how it does seem,
There are a few honest politicians though their type are becoming quite rare
And shady deals are concocted in high places in the bigger World out there
So much corruption in high places where success can come through deceit
Far decenter than them poor and homeless and living it rough on the street
To most politicians to lie is so easy and one lie leads to another they say
And they are referred to as 'the honorable' yet they tell more lies every day
They are tainted by their lust for power to power they so desperately cling
Yet many see them as quite special and many their praises do sing
And many out there are so gullible and to the faults of the power wielders quite blind
And 'tis sad that honest politicians are becoming much harder to find.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Crusader Against Corruption
The politicians are mindless
about the opprobrium heaped on them
for their misdeeds and corruption.
Politics is an open-sesame
to criminals and the cunning
for fulfilling their ambitions.
An overdose of bribes has made
public life servile and squalid.
When the courts order to attach their wealth
and detain them in prison, they make a fun of it.
' God has already ordered a one-two punch to me
to give my wealth to the poor
and go to jail for a public cause', they say.
The votes of people with nous
don't decide the winners in these obscene elections.
The votes of the illiterates and the votes
clicked in stealth choose the victors.
When the government is gripped in the hands
of the opportunists of parties one after the other,
the rich buy the posts of officers in hidden auctions.
The middle class bargain for clerical jobs.
The sons of the poor join the gangsters and smugglers
who run a parallel government, colluding with
the politicians who live for uplifting the poor.
The poor women need to trade in open market or the nets.
The people are ossified to stretch hands
to grab the freebies and graft, and sell their votes.
Ouch! why this Anna Hazare, the last surviving crusader,
goes on an outdated fast dreaming for a change?
He can't provoke a public outcry against corruption
with the outfits of graduates and tottering old men.
Will his message reach the illiterate ocean in rural hamlets
when the T.V. channels are owned by the demagogues?
poem by Rajendran Muthiah
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
No Incentive To Vote Aug 12th,2012
And those in power can stay there for the rest of their lives,
Though it may be questionable whether democracy survives,
So a compulsory voting law or fifty dollar fine at income tax time,
Would solve the problem as the number of voters will climb.
Those who have been elected are not keen on mandatory votes,
It could change things and interfere with what the party promotes,
People might want binding referendums and recall and what next?
Best to do nothing or say it's constitutional and too complex.
Canadian politicians like all politicians dread recall,
Whether it's federal, provincial or even city hall,
So how do we get rid of a dreadful useless politician?
Could we get recall in the constitution in the next edition?
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Congress has historically played covert communal politics in order to create what in India we call vote banks where you pit one community against another and so on in order to secure votes.
quote by Arundhati Roy
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Flying Dutchman
The blue water stretches
as far as visibility allows to see
and there’s fog
rising white before the storm
out of the water.
The dusk becomes grey
and the sea from blue to dark black
while the night
darker than ink, as only companion
folds over the old ancient ship.
It’s Van der Decken standing as tiller man
behind the big wheel
and forever he steers the ship
on the journey that she goes.
Always cursing
his loud voice thunders
like lightning falling around him
for sailors to tend the sails right
and sails are hoisted crunching, groaning and trembling
with strong ropes
and the ship jumps
over the smashing waves.
Like a phantom
the Flying Dutchman appears
with white sails like a wraith
over the horizon
where it sails before a storm with speed.
The ship becomes lager
as the storm wind
brings her closer
and you hear her creak
against the power of the wind.
There’s thunder bolts blinding suddenly
and sea birds flies screeching
out in front of her,
while Van der Decken’s skeleton
drills his men powerless
to set the sails right
that is vibrating against the wind.
“How long still Lord, ”
echoes against the sea and sky,
without a answer
ever coming
and suddenly the ship is gone
as if it disappeared in the naught.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Power of Your Vote
Each vote is an invaluable opportunity to sound your voice;
To be a vital part of the country by expressing your choice.
No matter whether you're black, white, brown, yellow or tan,
Your vote counts the same as every other woman or man.
Even if you have made millions from the Wall Street game
Or work two jobs to feed your family, your vote is the same.
Your power is limitless as foolish, naïve politicians find out
When they don't listen to what your needs are all about.
Government serves you by the power of your votes and desires.
Vote them out if they can't find solutions this country requires.
poem by Gregory Huyette
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sue Rodriguez Forgotten Case Nov 3rd,2012
Sue Rodriguez Forgotten Case Nov 3rd,2012
By
James Bredin
The Sue Rodriguez case, seems to have been long forgotten,
Media moguls and politicians seem to think it was rotten,
She tried to get death with dignity but they refused,
Though appointed judges and politicians did not seem amused.
Because we the people are not allowed government control,
Few set-date elections, referendums or plebiscites on the whole,
No Senate or compulsory votes where death with dignity is banned,
Various religions and bought-politicians think this is grand.
The States of Oregon and Washington have had it for years,
People go to Switzerland to die and avoid the pain and tears,
While Ottawa politicians and aristocrats hide out up there,
Busy avoiding death with dignity and maybe saying a prayer.
Nov 3rd,2012
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Let's give the conventions back to the politicians. If we think there's any news, we can tack it on afterward as commentary. But the conventions should be their show, not ours.
quote by Don Hewitt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Passer-by
Whither, O splendid ship, thy white sails crowding,
Leaning across the bosom of the urgent West,
That fearest nor sea rising, nor sky clouding,
Whither away, fair rover, and what thy quest?
Ah! soon, when Winter has all our vales opprest,
When skies are cold and misty, and hail is hurling,
Wilt thoù glìde on the blue Pacific, or rest
In a summer haven asleep, thy white sails furling.
I there before thee, in the country that well thou knowest,
Already arrived am inhaling the odorous air:
I watch thee enter unerringly where thou goest,
And anchor queen of the strange shipping there,
Thy sails for awnings spread, thy masts bare:
Nor is aught from the foaming reef to the snow-capp'd grandest
Peak, that is over the feathery palms, more fair
Than thou, so upright, so stately and still thou standest.
And yet, O splendid ship, unhail'd and nameless,
I know not if, aiming a fancy, I rightly divine
That thou hast a purpose joyful, a courage blameless,
Thy port assured in a happier land than mine.
But for all I have given thee, beauty enough is thine,
As thou, aslant with trim tackle and shrouding,
From the proud nostril curve of a prow's line
In the offing scatterest foam, thy white sails crowding.
poem by Robert Bridges
Submitted by Dan Costinaş
Vote! | Copy! | In Romanian
A Passer-by
Whither, O splendid ship, thy white sails crowding,
Leaning across the bosom of the urgent West,
That fearest nor sea rising, nor sky clouding,
Whither away, fair rover, and what thy quest?
Ah! soon, when Winter has all our vales opprest,
When skies are cold and misty, and hail is hurling,
Wilt thoù glìde on the blue Pacific, or rest
In a summer haven asleep, thy white sails furling.
I there before thee, in the country that well thou knowest,
Already arrived am inhaling the odorous air:
I watch thee enter unerringly where thou goest,
And anchor queen of the strange shipping there,
Thy sails for awnings spread, thy masts bare:
Nor is aught from the foaming reef to the snow-capp'd grandest
Peak, that is over the feathery palms, more fair
Than thou, so upright, so stately and still thou standest.
And yet, O splendid ship, unhail'd and nameless,
I know not if, aiming a fancy, I rightly divine
That thou hast a purpose joyful, a courage blameless,
Thy port assured in a happier land than mine.
But for all I have given thee, beauty enough is thine,
As thou, aslant with trim tackle and shrouding,
From the proud nostril curve of a prow's line
In the offing scatterest foam, thy white sails crowding.
poem by Robert Seymour Bridges
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I'm Tired Of Ageing Politicians
I'm tired of ageing Politicians talking of war
Young soldiers risk their lives for them in Countries afar
And yet they seem to get re-elected when the voters have their say
They play their patriotic card and for them that does pay.
Their war card is their winning card they talk of us and they
And they send young people to fight for them in Countries far away
Not for any moral principle but for their own self interest
War helps them for to cling to power and seems to serve them best.
I'm tired of ageing Politicians who wage war in God's name
Who send others to kill and maim for them in their quest for immortal fame
The winners only write the war history and that's how 'twill always be
Yet the cost in the loss of Human life is huge for every war victory.
I'm tired of ageing Politicians who at the least excuse
Send their war planes off to distant Lands to set terror on the loose
For every death they may boast of another terrorist they create
They talk of peace through the gun barrel and they only give us hate.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do.
quote by Wendell Berry
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
She Took The Wind From His Sails
Outer banks of North Carolina
Lies a sleepy harbor town
Generations of old sailors
Dropped their sails and settled down
Sam he is a young seafarer
Grandson of a sailmaker's daughter
Today he's gonna take her hand
Chorus:
Calm waters
Wish them well
His ship's come in
She's put the wind in his sails
Catherine is a canvas painter
Paints the sun and sand and sea
Lately she's been painting a portrait
Sammy is a dad to be
Chorus
January brought the fever
Sam was right there by her side
Doctor told him son I'm sorry
But Catherine needs your prayers tonight
Morning light brought Sam a daughter
Fever took his better half
Sam gave Catherine to the water
As he held their baby to his chest
Calm waters
Wished him well
His ship came in
But she took the wind from his sails
His ship came in
But she took the wind from his sails
song performed by by George Strait
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
How Long Does This Sedation Last?
Senators and Governor Generals are all appointed,
And we are expected to show that we are not disappointed,
And dumb politicians can’t be recalled because that’s not allowed,
The system is great, they say and we are compelled to feel proud.
Where all terrorists and prisoners have Trudeau’s Charter Rights,
All the way to the appointed Supreme Court with their legal fights,
And political candidates with the most votes have always won,
Though the combined votes of the loosers was more but no reruns.
And without binding referendums, nothing is allowed to change,
Democracy with no proportional representation strange,
Is this a graphic illustration of a sleep walking nation?
How do we get out of this form of political sedation?
Dec 23rd 20
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
How Do We Get Ottawa Control Mar 15 2011
What we need to do to control Ottawa is change things around,
How does binding referendums and compulsory voting sound?
Our politicians are busy taxing and spending and more,
It’s not easy to get their attention – not now or before.
We don’t have set-date elections and weighed down with first-past-the post,
Where with three candidates, the combined opposition may have more votes,
Where proportional representation is completely banned,
Regardless of how much the opposition scream and demand.
They expect to win the next election and maybe they will,
Then they will celebrate here and there and up on Parliament Hill,
But how do we impress our politicians that we need to change?
And why should our democratic ideas be so strange?
Mar 15th,2011
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Party Bound Politicians July 4th,2012
PARTY BOUND POLITICIANS July 4th,2012
By
James Bredin
Our Canadian politicians are reluctant to change,
If they do they will be immediately told that this is strange,
They are party politicians and not allowed an independent thought,
They have to follow the party line and not be distraught.
Canada should have a system where they have some independence,
And not march in step, completely party bound in their dependence,
We should have proportional representation for those who should vote,
And compulsory votes or added tax so all constituents take note.
Party politics is in many ways like a religious belief,
Those who change are treated as sacrilegious with great grief,
Those who want death with dignity are looked at as pagans or worse,
Supreme Court decisions here will not allow for anything diverse.
July 4th,2012
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Pie In The Sky
It takes photon power
And eight minutes of an hour
To make it to our sun
And I know it sounds weird
But itll take you four years
To make the next one
Expanding border
Thats the sauce
Of chaos
And thats an order
Thats an order
So stomp your feet
And clap your hands
Get out of your seat
And do a little dance
Lift up your voice
And sing with glee
Now listen carefully to me
Desert your quarters
Behold the pie in the sky
And thats an order
Thats an order
Thats an order [7x]
song performed by by Frank Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Changes We Need... Nov 28th,2012
CHANGES WE NEED … NOV 28TH,2012
BY
JAMES BREDIN
We get no propositions and can't use the notwithstanding clause,
And death-with-dignity they say is not their good cause,
We have no binding referendums or judicial reviews,
Politically speaking; they have completely different views.
Judges and senators are appointed - never elected,
And in order to get there; they must be connected,
There are no compulsory votes so less than half of us vote,
No set-date elections while some of our politicians even gloat.
We can kill thousands of unborn babies but we can't kill ourselves,
None of this makes sense I know but it's on their bookshelves,
We need someone to rewrite Trudeau's Charter; this time for us,
Not every terrorist and oddball who can just kick up a fuss.
NOV 28TH,2012
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
We Need Changes Now
The changes we need, for the most part, remain well hidden,
By the media or the Supreme Court, they are strongly forbidden,
Can’t even be discussed at elections because it’s never allowed,
To think about this, could put you under a human-rights cloud.
A provincial premier should be prime minister each year,
Not politicians trying to turn the top job into a career,
No parties claiming to have special parliamentary rights,
Votes in parliament should be by individuals – not party fights.
We need death with dignity and binding referendums to start,
Not a remote idea from some political bleeding heart,
We need proportional representation in every ward,
It should be the people – not the politicians – who scored.
(May 10th,2011)
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!