Ray Buursma: Strange bedfellows — politics and song titles
Complaining about political matters is tiring, yet conscience compels us to do so. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be humorous from time to time, at least to a degree.
Today we explore politics, national and local, by matching politicians, their characteristics, and their circumstances with appropriate song titles.
A little levity won’t hurt.
To all who supported Ottawa Impact candidates for county commissioners — “I Hope You’re Happy Now” (from the Broadway show "Wicked")
To Ottawa Impact commissioners intent on destroying Ottawa County’s government through horrendous decision-making — “What Kind of Fool Am I?” (Andy Williams)
From former Ottawa County Administrator John Gibbs to Ottawa Impact after being hired and fired in a year and a half period — “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” (Righteous Brothers)
To Ottawa County residents as a terminated John Gibbs departed — “Celebrate Good Times, Come On” (Kool and the Gang)
From Ottawa County residents to former County Administrator John Shay, fired in 2022 by Ottawa Impact — “I Want You Back” (The Jackson 5)
To non-Ottawa Impact commissioners who lend sanity to county government — “Bridge Over Trouble Waters” (Simon and Garfunkel) and “You Are The Wind Beneath My Wings” (Bette Midler)
To bewildered Ottawa County residents who witness the ongoing ineptitude of Ottawa Impact, which has paid millions in employee termination costs and hastened an ongoing turnover of county employees — “What’s Going On?” (Marvin Gaye) and “Numb” (Linkin Park)
To anyone willing to run against an Ottawa Impact commissioner in November — “Let's Get It On” (Marvin Gaye) and “Beat It” (Michael Jackson)
To Ottawa County residents after Ottawa Impact will hopefully be defeated in November — “Dancing In The Street” (Martha and the Vandellas)
To Election Deniers — “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (The Rolling Stones) and “Just My Imagination” (Temptations)
To former Trump supporters who finally recognized, after Jan. 6, the true character of the disgraced former president — “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (The Who)
To Trump supporters who witnessed Trump’s part in the Jan. 6 insurrection but don’t care and still support him— “Why Don’t You Do Right?” (Benny Goodman) and “Blind Love” (Allman Brothers)
To Donald Trump who asked supporters to pay his fines for business fraud and civil penalties for rape and defamation lawsuits — “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (Temptations)
To the Supreme Court which appears intent on assisting Trump whenever and wherever possible — “Stand By Your Man” (Tammy Wynette) and “You Belong To Me” (Jo Stafford)
To insurrectionist Donald Trump who will hopefully again be defeated in November — “End Of The Road” (Boyz 2 Men)
To Joe Biden anytime he references or explains his policies or decisions — “I Keep Forgetting” (David Bowie) and “Communication Breakdown” (Led Zeppelin)
To all those who wish the November ballot would feature someone other than Biden and Trump — “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” (The Beach Boys) and “Dream On” (Aerosmith)
To Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court justice, who received millions in goods and services from rich financial “friends” — “Brother Can You Spare A Dime?” (Bing Crosby) and “Bitch Better Have My Money” (Rihanna)
For the House GOP whose sole basis to impeach President Biden fell apart and now has only one “source” for evidence — “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye)
To GOP hypocrite Matt Gaetz who lives in a glass house of sex trafficking and drug abuse while throwing stones at others — “You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party” (Beastie Boys)
To GOP congressmen who won’t approve financial assistance for Ukraine, a fledgling democracy trying to fend off invasion by Russia — “Somebody That I Used To Know” (Gotye Ft Kimbra) and “I Don’t Care Anymore” (Phil Collins)
To those who reject LGBTQ equality, especially in the name of religion — “Don’t Be Cruel” (Elvis Presley) and “When You Are Who You Are” (Gil Scott-Heron)
To those who miss the good old days of decency in politics and stability in life — “The Way We Were” (Barbara Streisand) and “Those Were The Days” (Mary Hopkin)
To optimists who believe life will “sort itself out” and America will return to “normal” — Sorry, but “Strange Things Are Happening Every Day” (Sister Rosetta Tharpe) and “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey).
To stoics who are less hopeful — “Whatever Will Be, Will Be” (Doris Day)
To those who ignore the world’s strife and find the good in life — “What A Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong)
To readers who expected this column’s author to change his tune (pun intended) and write something positive concerning the politicians he has long criticized — “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (Harold Melvin)
To Senator Bob Menendez accused of accepting accepting bribes and facing damning evidence — “Money and Corruption/I Am Your Man” (The Kinks)
— Community Columnist Ray Buursma is a resident of Holland. Contact him at writetoraybuursma@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ray Buursma: Strange bedfellows — politics and song titles
