ME: A Reflection (written and published 15 years ago)

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, Why do you make me look so small? From the day I was born I've strived with a zest To represent the freedoms that man likes best.

For two hundred years I was proud to be bold, A beacon of hope for the young and the old. I blessed you with security and freedom of choice, While providing the resources so all could rejoice.

I've fought many battles and won many wars To keep tyranny and oppression far from my shores. Under my wing, many generations have evolved, Man's pursuit of liberty a dream I'd resolved.

Self-rule by majority was my claim to fame, And a two party system was the name of the game. For well over two centuries my people had choices, And were free to express them by simply raising their voices.

My purpose in life was to represent we, A novel approach in a world ruled by a me. For ten scores I admirably served myself well, But the eleventh has plainly been nothing but hell.

The two party system yielded to one common goal, Winner take all, there's nothing that can't be sold. Traditions crumbled as the expenses mounted, The solutions offered cost more than could be counted.

Many citizens were stunned and threw up their hands, After all, without options, who cares about the plans? As the voters retreated, accountablility diminished, Big Brother knew we were nearly finished.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, Didn't I once have it all? Wasn't I proud for all to see, That when I was we, you were me?