'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Fiscal Cliff Edition

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the House

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

Their desks were all empty leaving some to wonder, “Do they even care?”

Surely, like us they know the deadline soon would be there;

Speaker Boehner was nestled all snug in his bed,

While visions of tax-breaks for the rich danced in his head;

And Cantor in his pajamas, thank you letters from millionaires in his lap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out in House districts there arose such a clatter,

They sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.

Away to their Blackberries they flew like a flash,

Called their staff to see what had created this clash.

With groups of middle class Americans, both lively and real,

They knew in a moment they better take the deal.

More and more people joined the Action, they came,

To tell the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Congressmen to “QUIT PLAYING GAMES;”

"Now, Upton! now, Benishek! now, Rogers and Camp!

On, Walberg! on Miller! on, Amash and Huizenga!

Get Back to the Capitol! Get to your offices by the National mall!

Now get back to work! Back to work! Back to work all!"

Don’t speak, not a word, but get straight to your work,

Quit worrying about the wealthy; and CEO Perks,

The middle class needs your help, so don’t turn up your nose,

We are your bosses and what we say goes;

Quit trying to stall and saying, “What if?”

We demand Middle Class Tax Breaks and avoiding the Cliff!

And take this as fair warning as we exclaim, even on Christmas Eve Night,

"WE ARE THE PEOPLE, AND WE WON'T BE SILENCED WITHOUT A FIGHT!"

Lonnie Scott is the State Communications Director for The Action, a grassroots movement calling for the end of the Bush-era tax breaks for the richest 2 percent that have for too long shortchanged critical investments that create and sustain jobs.