Let the Joyful Voices Ring

’Tis the season to broadcast Christmas music.

“O, Holy night . . .”

(Under cover of darkness, Republicans in the United States Senate voted to deprive all but the wealthiest Americans of health care, to ensure unlimited  access to war weapons  for everyone, and to deprive women of the right to control their own bodies.)

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight . . .”

(The United States has dropped so many bombs on Iraq and Syria that it’s running out of bombs.  “We’re in the business of killing,” an Air Force spokesman said, “and business is good.”)

“Joy to the world . . .”

(On average, there is a mass shooting every day in the United States that injures four or more people.)

“Sleep in heavenly peace . . .”

(Donald Trump says the way to deal with people he disagrees with is to kill their families.  He is the leading candidate for the Republican party’s presidential nomination.)

“Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.”

(United States wars around the world have killed more than 500,000 children since the invasion of Iraq began.  The U. S. -led wars have created a global refugee crisis yet none of the orphaned children in the refugee horde is welcome in the United States, especially Texas.)

“Peace on Earth and mercy mild . . .”

(Lawmakers in the United Kingdom and Germany have voted for their countries to join the fighting in Syria’s bloody civil war.  The United States president boasts that he has bombed nine countries since taking office.  Russia is fortifying a second military base to facilitate its warfare in Syria. We even bomb hospitals.)

“I am a poor boy too

Pa rum pum pum pum

I have no gift to bring

Pa rum pum pum pum”

(The richest 20 families in the United States control more wealth than half the total population. In the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” 46.7 million people live in poverty. More than 15.5 million  children under the age of 18 live in poverty. Nearly five million seniors 65 and older live in poverty.)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . .”

(Especially if you own a factory that makes weapons.  Or fossil fuel. Or yachts for the one per cent.  Or if you  sell your votes in congress to the highest bidder.)

" . . .With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"