by Brian Gundersdorf
The Life of a Politician and mine
Are more alike than you might imagine
If you want to say it clearly and quickly
You have to write fiction sometimes
So when the media caught you in a lie
I took it fine, but all your campaign supporters were mortified
You kept reciting from their scripts like a reluctant bride
Until the human they had godded was crucified
You don’t have to tell me what you tell them at the teleconference or on the news
I know you’re only selling your own conscience, as I’ve been known to do
Don’t tell me what it tells you on the teleprompter
I know you don’t want to
From the very first time your supporters asked for something like a song from you
You knew that all they wanted was a rhythm they could snap their fingers with
And melody, with a hook that could sing along to
But you corrupted them with substance and with imagery
Somehow you won them over without a beat
They said you ought to play it safe, you said you didn’t agree
And that appealed to me
You don’t have to tell me what you tell them at the teleconference or on the news
I know you’re only selling your own conscience, as I’ve been known to do
Don’t tell me what it tells you on the teleprompter
I know you don’t want to