I'D Rather Have A Dream Then Live Out Their Nightmare Poem by Ted Sheridan

I watched the Democrats debate tonight
I listened to each one of them answer
Question after question
With yet another question
One man, disabled and retired from the union
Stood up with the aid of crutches and a brace and asked
Why?
Why am I so poor that I can't afford health insurance?
Why?
Why was my pension cut in half when my company went bankrupt?
He asked the candidates, while looking them right in their faces
What is wrong with America?
There was a long period of applause
For this obviously pained man
And yet not one of the candidates had the right answer for him
They all jumped on the chance to put down this country
Claiming the country was wrong
But they never answered his question
Choosing to only address his fears
I watched in disbelief as not one of them
Took the opportunity to defend this great land in which we live
Not one of the wannabe Presidents offered much hope
Not one answer was given to inspire the people
Only doom and more gloom
I thought to myself.....
Had I been on that stage my answer would have been
'There is nothing wrong with America that Americans can't fix.'
Because I'd rather have a dream, to living a nightmare


(2007)