[See “Voters See Democracy in Peril, but Saving It Isn’t a Priority” byNick Corasaniti, Michael C. Bender, Ruth Igielnik and NYTimes 10/18/22]
I recently received this poem from RIT Professor of English emeritus John Roche:
Here’s a poem I wrote this morning in response to a depressing NY Times headline. I’ve included, at bottom, a more hopeful Times op ed piece.
Not a Priority
“Voters See Democracy in Peril, but Saving It Isn’t a Priority”
—NYTimes 10/18/22
The planet is burning
But that’s not a priority
Glaciers melting
Not a priority
Fascism on the rise
Not a priority
Putin threatens nuclear war
Not a priority
A MAGA Congress would end Ukraine support
Not a priority
Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block if Repubs win
Not a priority
Reproductive rights and LGBT rights in peril
Not a priority
Election deniers and Anti-Semites on the ballot
Not a priority
The price of gas and steak
That’s our priority
“The Uncomfortable Truths That Could Yet Defeat Fascism” by Anand Giridharadas (NYTimes 10/17/22)
Editor’s Note: Today, 10/24/2022, in “Suspicion and Blame as Their America Vanishes” by Michael Keller and David Kirkpatrick, the NYTimes continues its Democracy Challenged Where Election Doubt Thrives series.

10/24/22, The New York Times from “Suspicion and Blame as Their America Vanishes”