Earmarks they're called by those that know <br />Are notches put in a pig's ear or perhaps rings in the nose. <br />Which are put there to draw attention <br />That this hog belongs to one of some station. <br /> <br />Turned loose to run free at public expense <br />To feed outside the confines of a proper fence. <br />A rouge that is said to belong <br />To one of certain renown. <br /> <br />Earmarks were once put in a legal register <br />So no one would confuse ownership (for worse or better) <br />But in the current day and time <br />Earmarks are put there for a reason more sublime. <br /> <br />You'll never know who was responsible <br />Perhaps someone that should be culpable(?) <br />Yet they're called earmarks because <br />Now the object is to obscure ownership within the laws. <br /> <br />Before earmarks were known by a title more correct, <br />Pork (as it was called) which did reflect, <br />That fat was mixed midst the lean <br />To flavor the pot of a politician it would seem, <br />So that he (or she if the case be) could claim <br />Ownership (after-all everyone does it) without shame. <br /> <br />Yet now the pols of the hour <br />Making faces, most dour <br />Have proclaimed that they'll have nothing to do <br />With earmarks (well maybe only a few) . <br />And point their finger at those on the other side <br />Who surely have so much to hide. <br /> <br />It's a game that the Hatfields and the McCoys did play <br />As they fought tooth and nail in their day, <br />Until they discovered that earmarks were good <br />As long as the 'record' was clearly understood. <br />And that someone else would pick up the bill <br />(Well isn't that the way things are done on the Hill?) <br /> <br />Congratulations Ms. Nancy!<br /><br />Sidi J. Mahtrow<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/earmarks/
