State Legislatures are Going Power-Mad -- The Populists are Flying Up Their own Butts for the Winter -- Yellow Vests Still on the Rampage in France

In recent years, single parties have come to dominate state legislatures, allowing lawmakers to make significant policy changes in states even as Washington wrestled with gridlock. But in states like Wisconsin and Michigan, where Democrats regained governor’s offices in capitals that Republicans fully controlled for years, Republicans are making last-minute efforts to weaken their powers.    NYT

Don't ask me to be Governor;

the job ain't worth the pay --

with legislators scheming

 to defeat me ev'ry day.

They neutralize my powers

and make me a laughingstock

so that all my proclamations

are just ineffective schlock.

You can play at Governor;

a lobbyist for me!

Those guys wield all the power

and collect the largest fee!

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If this year’s midterm elections are any clue, the populist surge on which Mr. Trump capitalized two years ago isn’t spreading widely. In fact, when measured by two key indicators of populist and nationalist sentiment—immigration and free trade—it hasn’t spread much at all.

WSJ

The populist's a funny bird;

he's either mad or too absurd.

Thank goodness that mere common sense

is fighting their unsound pretense.

When populists go back to sleep

the country can stop counting sheep.

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PARIS — France was surveying the damage Monday after another weekend of violent “yellow vest” protests rocked the country.

In the capital, the protests left charred car frames, shattered shop windows and vandalized monuments — as well as a presidency in crisis.

Washington Post

I wish I were a Yellow Vest;

I'd never have to be repressed.

I'd smash up statues like a hood

because I was misunderstood.

A pyromaniac I'd be

and cause the innocent to flee.

And when the Prez said "That's enough!"

I'd laugh and take a pinch of snuff.

Cuz Yellow Vests have no remorse;

they're Vikings like those good old Norse.

And when I'd leveled Paris, France,

I'd do a courtly little dance

and look around for mischief more --

till I am drilled by army corps.