On a Roll With the Dole

Sending foreign aid just doesn’t make sense
With American families living in tents
Just how many countries rushed to give cash
When into New Orleans Katrina crashed

San Andreas fault runs through our nation
Cross Western states, widespread devastation
Our British, Aussie and Canadian friends
Are the only ones on whom we can depend

Uncle Sam’s pockets are bare; there’s no gold
To back the dollars printed multifold
Countries that dislike “rich Americans”
Always look to us with their outstretched hands

If a mega-disaster should strike Iraq
We’d offer support, say, “We’ve got your back”
And yet these nations would sneer at us still
The debt-ridden states abound with good will

Charity, they say, should begin at home
But to other nations our dollars roam
“Say, buddies,” we beg, “can you spare a dime?”
As out of poverty we seek to climb
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Loving Iii Avatar
December 18, 2010 at 6:55 AM
or let me put it this way. we give them money but they send it back to the rich. then the rich pays taxes on it. and those taxes support our country. that's you and me!
Loving Iii Avatar
December 18, 2010 at 6:52 AM
they don't give to us this is true. but they support "rich Americans" unlike me and you. give us your oil and rich resourses all of the buffallo that they have. but you'll never know. never know that you call it free enterprise and democracy and lets not for get bribery or lobbying which ever you prefer. it's the american way. and then when its all said and done. and they say they've been cheated. then we through those to words, so famous right now on the soup. indian giver!
Chappell Avatar
November 6, 2010 at 6:44 AM
well done again here my friend thank you for sharing your wonderful works again duncan
Brown Avatar
October 20, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Congratulations Diane on your 1st Place win in Catie Lindsey's contest "Outrageous Rhyme". Love, Carol
Mehta Avatar
October 13, 2010 at 8:41 AM
Congrats on win.... Luv/Best wishes .... Hitendra Mehta
Haick Avatar
October 3, 2010 at 1:28 PM
This is wonderful, Diane!Congratulations on your win! Enjoy.... So much truth in your words..but that's why America is still blessed..hopefully in our poverty we can spare a dime for our own, since government is busy with "looking good" and wasting money to find another earth. Love to you, Always, Audry
Falotico Avatar
October 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Congats on this wonderful win, well deserved my friend...always Michael
Knop Avatar
October 3, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Yes, Diane, you are so right with this! Great poem. Aid is too often necessary in our own countries although poverty has a different picture. It also exists here in Germany and especially where I now live. And the gap between rich and poor is continously widen. Thank you also for your kind comments and have a great week! All the best!...Gert
Guzzi Avatar
October 2, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Though I DO agree with most of this verse NEVER think WE doing anything out of altruism, we are in foriegn countries so we have control of THEIR resources. NICE political write. Bring all our troops home and balance the damn budget!
Richards Avatar
October 2, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Congratulations Diane......with this fine, outrageous rhyme well spoken!! Well done!
Fraser Avatar
October 2, 2010 at 7:05 AM
Many congratulations Diane on your fine win in Catie's contest. Have a wonderful weekend >> James
Mehta Avatar
October 2, 2010 at 6:47 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved nwin in the contest, Diane
Sweetheart Avatar
October 2, 2010 at 6:46 AM
Congrats Diane on your super first place win in Catie's contest.. a brilliant write and win to enjoy this happy weekend my friend with luv..
Dietrich Avatar
October 1, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Yes, they rage against us (often with good reason) but they still come looking to the US for handouts. maybe it is the only thing in the end that will bless this country when it is in its depths of despair because we are getting there really fast! This was a thought provoking poem, Diane. I really feel for our own poor! Thanks for commenting to my blog as well. LUv, Andrea
Hall Mad Poet Avatar
September 30, 2010 at 3:42 PM
Perfect. What can I say. Countries tend to give away money and never think of the people within it a same and we vote them in.
Hickman Avatar
September 30, 2010 at 8:43 AM
Very well expressed Diane, I echo those thoughts here in the UK, as we seem to be 'Home' for the world to soak up our benefit system etc. Many thanks too for your welcome visit and comments. Gordon Hickman, (hicky)
Smalling Avatar
September 28, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Diane, you are now my favorite satirist ... good job here.
Taylor Avatar
September 28, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Amen, Diane, That says it all. Charity definitely begins at home thats for certain. It's time it was realized. Outstanding write. Thanks for reading my silliness. Ralph
Sapp Avatar
September 27, 2010 at 7:16 PM
Very well put Diane, and thank you for your kind words! I dislike writing things political, but it seems lately that we are in such a mess. Where is the common sense and cooperation? Wayne
Johnson Avatar
September 27, 2010 at 2:10 PM
A lot of truth here Diane. Thank you for your comments on my poem. Love, Joyce
Brown Avatar
September 27, 2010 at 7:56 AM
Always a pleasure to read your poetry Diane. I wish to thank you for your kind comments on my writings. Love, Carol
Culverhouse Avatar
September 26, 2010 at 5:24 PM
amen...enjoyed reading today!
Peranteau Avatar
September 26, 2010 at 4:14 PM
This is one of those poems that just grab ya and shake the Dickens out of you ! Fantastic write dear poet ! much love, james
Devonshire Avatar
September 26, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Bravo, Diane! Being there for everyone in need, the US deserves to receive some help when tragedies strike us. Our friends are few, our enemies many, but we offer handouts to all indiscriminantly. Good luck in Catie's contest! Love, Carolyn
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