That Which is Worse than Lying

I’d rather have a president
Who’s bright enough to not get caught
When lying as to what laws meant
And waivers even he had sought
While governor with oversight
To make sure welfare-work went right.

Now governors of other states
Have asked to mold the U.S. law
To suit their unemployed folks’ traits
That sponsors on the Hill foresaw
As necessary suppleness.
Agreeing is the HHS.

Mitt Romney, though, has run an ad
That says Obama’s waived all work,
Which purposely the law forbad,
And uttering—worse than a jerk—
That they just send your welfare check,
He makes of politics a wreck.

U.S. Dept.of Health and Human Services: “Thus, HHS has authority to . . . authorize a state to test approaches and methods other than those set forth . . . including definitions of work activities and engagement, specified limitations, verification . . .”

Romney-approved ad: “Under Obama’s plan, you wouldn’t have to work and wouldn’t have to train for a job. They just send you your welfare check, and ‘welfare to work’ goes back to being plain old welfare.”