"One small step for a man. One giant leap for mankind."

I watched in awe as these bold words did crackle cross the new frontier.
My childhood hero answered true the challenge flung in courage quest.
A nation poised to prove its worth inspired the world, the future ours.
And in that time I knew for sure my country's best was mine to make.

My teenage years were wracked by doubt, my country torn and mired in fear.
Of campus riots, ghettos ablaze, economy ruined, a winless war.
Despite intentions good and pure the Great Society was belied.
No wealth and power wielded by the sovereign hand could make things right.

The tricky man did say he knew a secret plan to mend our woes.
With sidekick sharp he tried to rule with heavy hand, to no avail.
In shadows dark his minions lurked in lawless spree and soon were caught.
In deep disgrace he slunk away, caretaker left to clean the mess.

A little man emerged to claim that peace and love would salve our wounds.
In cardigan he counseled faith, extolling less, abjuring more.
Atoning for our country's past he argued for collective goals.
The dollar tanked, jobs disappeared, our enemies pounced on hostage prey.

My adult years began just as the country shook its cobwebs off.
Unleashing talent long submerged with coursing vigor growth returned.
From lab and garage companies grew, in brilliant flash too long unseen.
Rebel led and financed too these mighty upstarts changed the world.

My country once again stood tall, the world took note and evil blinked.
"Tear down this wall!" the big man said, and watch we did as down it fell.
In ancient land a people poor did see our ways and want the same.
As they worked hard we grew more soft, forgetting whence true value springs.

Through ups and downs we grew and grew, prosperity's tide uplifting all.
The slick man called a happy tune and rode the crest in surplus grand.
As seeds of trouble sprouted roots distraction's circus dropped our guard.
We looked away from private shame, and thought we'd try a different tack.

The dull man came but not for long did quiet last as lightening struck.
In lashing out he smote the beast of many claws with hellfire wrath.
Without a plan the progress slowed and fortunes sunk into the sand.
As blood and treasure slipped away the people yearned for sounder course.

The overheated Wall Street crowd aligned with bumbling GSEs
Built gambling halls on debts dispensed unearned to fools and crooked knaves.
Collapse came quick and panic spread across the world in blinding flash.
All eyes turned to the public fisc as bailouts gushed through unclean hands.

The cool man up from humble roots from nowhere grabbed the golden crown.
His honeyed words a spell did cast of hope and change to people tired.
Despite the outcry force he did his central planning on us all.
With spigots wide he buys his dreams, the dwindling public purse be damned.

Our nation lies in public thrall as we recall what we once were.
If second rate is what you want then stay the course and it is yours.
But vision springs from those who lead, and sorely does our nation pine.
From whence he'll come I do not know but we will get what we deserve.