Marketplace Scratch Pad

Let’s go a caroling

Scott Jagow Dec 24, 2009

What would the holidays be without rewritten versions of Christmas classics? And so, I’ll leave you to your holiday festivities with some of my own Christmas, uh, cheer…

Last year, as Congress was springing the bank rescue package on us, I was inspired to write this:

‘Twas the night before BAILOUT, when all through the House
Each Democrat conferring, each Republican in doubt
Stocks were hung on Wall Street with fear
In hopes St. Paulson soon would be there.

The bankers nestled all smug in their beds
While visions of BAILOUT danced in their heads
When on the White House lawn, arose such a clatter
The President awoke to see what was the matter.
And what to his wondering eyes did appear
But a bundle of tax breaks, marks of the ear!
Wooden arrows for children, rebates on rum
Car racing credits, billions in sum!

To the top of the House, to the top of Hill
The satchel of pork the Senate did spill
Baucus! Reid! Obama! McCain!
Now Boehner! Now Frank! You vote the same!

Paulson, Bernanke, they sprang to their sleigh
“Here we come, Wall Street, we’re on our way!”
But we heard them exclaim as they left with their sack…
“Taxpayers, don’t fret, you’ll get your money back!”

This year, I have a medley to share. I think you can figure out the tune for each verse:

The taxpayers got run over by the banks
A rescue plan that seemed to deceive
You can say there’s no such thing as Too Big
But as for me and Volcker, we believe.

You’re a mean one, Mr. Debt
You really are a steal
You’re as cuddly as a T-bill, you’re as charming as an eel
Mr Debt.
I wouldn’t touch you with a 12 trillion and a half foot pole!

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
My bonus of green
In a stocking of red
Won’t mean a thing
Because it’s all in my head.

Investments roasting on an open fire
The tax man nipping at your nose
Bosses are in no hurry to hire
While folks continue to foreclose.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the job market smelling, the president telling you
Be of good cheer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Seriously, Happy Holidays to you and yours. I’ll be around next week, but if you aren’t, have a Happy New Year as well. Here’s to JOBS in 2010…

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.