When the cut and thrust of politics is real

When the cut and paste apologies are fake

When facts matter less than what you feel

And truth and lies are given equal weight

 

When “I get it” and “I’ll fix it” are a sham

When extremists are emboldened by your act

When you genuinely couldn’t give a damn

And your policy does nothing but distract

 

When you use your privilege to tell a lie

When you prey upon the people’s hopes and fears

When a violent act is something that you buy

Or else incite by very public smears

 

When contrition is a barely fleeting phase

Before deceitful boasting rears its head once more

When history is written by the days

Each sentence worse than the one before

 

When you’re leading them without a destination

When you’re leaving them to fend for themselves

When self-confidence is your only salvation

It’s time to start to draft your farewells

 

When the authorities are knocking at your door

When your champions look the other way

When your last-ditch distraction is a war

Then accept that this big dog has had his day