Campaign Song for the Democracy

Hard Times Come Again No More

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears,
While we all sup sorrow with the poor;
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears;
Oh Hard times come again no more.

Tis the song, the sigh of the weary,
Hard Times, hard times, come again no more
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
Oh hard times come again no more.

While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay,
There are frail forms fainting at the door;
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say
Oh hard times come again no more.

There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away,
With a worn heart whose better days are o'er:
Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day,
Oh hard times come again no more.

Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave,
Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore
Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave
Oh hard times come again no more.

― music and lyrics of Stephen C. Foster
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There is more than likely the prospect of regaining the republic. We are entering the eighth year of the usurpation. John McCain would gather the most votes for his party, if he becomes their candidate. The fascist wing dislikes him intensely, but it is impossible that they would prefer a candidate from the Democracy. It is doubtful, that they would cheat on his behalf, to the degree and zeal, they did for the candidacy which smeared him eight years ago. Surely, if he had worn the presidential sash, America would not be in the ugly state it is in, nor would the world look upon the United States as a brutish Gargantua. McCain is a militarist and a true believer in capitalism, and yet this is too moderate of a position. The american people must some day call "enough and no more". After the debacle of the Harding/Coolidge/Hoover period, a reasonable man would think that the Republicans would never haunt us again, but moneyed arrogance and the refusal to admit truth is invincible, so it seems. We are being visited by the worst, ever, collection of enemies to the Constitution, that America has known.

I have often chose the losing side. It is true, I would prefer John Edwards. I am satisfied with Barack Obama. I see that a cascade of fortune is with him. We do not fully know him, neither did we know enough of John Kennedy. There is a similarity of strong and vibrant youth. The man has promise and ability, and he can present a handsome mien to the world, especially in comparison to that of the simian buffoon which occupies the office currently. The support of Teddy and Caroline Kennedy certainly suggest this.

I propose this song, from the mid 1850s, by the historically, most, prominent, american, song composer. It was a favorite of Stephen Foster, and it is a very lyrical and poignant song sung by folk singers, though it was a pop tune in the 19th century. Whenever, we are out of office and are trying to come back, this should be our song. Look at the damage the twelve years of Reagan/Bush did and now the reign of bush the lesser.

Franklin Roosevelt appropriated Happy Days Are Here Again. Perhaps, soon we can hit the refrain again. I remember, the shock when Reagan had this used during his convention. As now, all of his party, grandiosely revere him in public, it must be remembered, that Ronald Reagan again and again always quoted dead Democrats. Well, it is with great difficulty that one could find a good Republican to quote. There was Lincoln and some Progressives that left the party, a generation plus beyond, such as La Follete, even Eisenhower only said something great on his last day in office, when it could effect nothing but only act as a warning for those that would not listen. Try to find those Republicans who inveigh against the military-industrial complex, they are all at the unicorn ranch.

Bruce Springsteen was rightly piqued that Born in the USA was ripped off, and so was Bobby McFerrin about Don't Worry Be Happy when it was used against his wishes, by the Republicans. Taking and benefiting, from what is not rightly theirs, is their nature. So: Let us pause ...
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Postscriptum: 14 August 2008. Jackson Browne, in 1986, sang against Reagan and his group’s transgressions in Central America, in Lives in the Balance. He has campaigned against nuclear arms and other political and humanitarian issues. He has given no indication of being in tune with Republicans. The Republicans are using his song, Running on Empty, against Obama. The party of owner’s rights, is transgressing the copyright of an artist. Theft, hypocrisy and entitlement; that makes for an, apt, party slogan. Earlier in this campaign, they stole from Mellencamp (another whom certainly doesn’t share their views), ABBA and Frankie Valli. Why can’t Republicans campaign without theft and distortion? Snakes have the nature of snakes. But, it must seem to them, that it is so unfair that honest, creative talent is always in the camp of Democrats.
Postscriptum 2: During their convention, they did it again, this time they stole Barracuda from Heart. This was a nickname for Palin, when she was Sarah Heath in high school. Typical Republican theft, arrogance, meanness and ultimate cluelessness; do they not realise, that, that nickname is not complimentary.
Postscriptum 3: 9 October. The Foo Fighters discovered that their song, My Hero, was being appropriated by McCain’s campaign. “To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song.” The Republicans maintain they have the right to use it, so there.
Postscriptum 4: 15 October. To-day, it is Sarah Palin’s campaign appropriating, without consent the work of the Democrat, Bon Jovi’s, Who Says You Can't Go Home. Same Republican behavior: everyone’s labor is subject to their ownership and use, without consent. Is this the sort of ownership society, Repubicans have in mind? How many more additions before 4 November?
Postscriptum 5: 21 July 2009. Browne wins court case, is reported to receive compensation and the Republican party “pledges” to seek musicians’ permission, in the future. Justice was won in court, we will wait to see it lived.