no, i'm not a Republican

George W. Bush will never send me a thank you note
for all the times I've been the only man in the room
who would not say a bad word about him.

I could resent that, I suppose.
It would be easy to do.

I have ruined my name
and reputation in my community
for the sake of my president.

But, I do not.

Though I agree with him on very few things,
I know this:

He is not the liar
or the heartless bastard
or the spoiled rich boy
or the retard
that they say.

It is on principle
I will stand for him
not on issues.

In the end, the issues will fade,
and the passion dwindle

But I would rather die
ignominious
than unprincipled.