<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://allpoetry.com/poem/16155163-On-Saving-Democracy-by-BobB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 26pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(141, 56, 0); text-decoration: none;">On Saving Democracy</span></a><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Author unknown</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">There were times when we at least thought</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35);"><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">The United States was deserving of praise.</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">We served as a model for many nations.</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">What has happened to those days?</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Now we're at the threshold of</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">A growing movement that seems to be</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">A direct assault on what we've stood for</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">And a threat to our democracy.</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">How we used to criticize</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Strongman rulers worldwide</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Who stripped their people of their rights!</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Oh, how we were horrified!</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Now people around the world</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Look at us in disbelief</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">And ask themselves how all of us</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Are not overcome with grief.</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">People who lived in autocracies</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">And fled because they lived in fear,</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Look around wide-eyed and ask,</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">"What the hell is happening here?"</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Insurrectionists being called</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Patriots? Voter suppression?</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Overturning election results?</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">A personality cult obsession?</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Immigrants becoming scapegoats?</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">People challenging safe elections?</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Paramilitary thugs?</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Folks with suspicious foreign connections?</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">People threatening health care workers</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">And thinking there's nothing wrong with that?</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">The breaking down of institutions?</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Voters preferring an autocrat?</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Apathy will be our downfall;</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Our complacency will as well.</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">There won't be a clang of freedom</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">From our silenced Liberty Bell.</span><br><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">If we do not strive to preserve</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">Democracy and make that our aim,</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">We will suffer the consequences</span><br><span style="background-color: rgb(253, 252, 248);">And have only ourselves to blame.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br></div>—————————————————<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://www.MoscowCares.net</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”</div><div>- Roy E. Stolworthy</div><div></div></div></div></body></html>