Hang in there, investigative
Reporters! Your work is cut out for you.
Help to be our eyes and ears,
And don't give up, whatever you do!

You have to work all the harder
When our democracy erodes.
When leaders silence your voices, imagine
The horrors that such a stifling forebodes.

Watch out for unscrupulous groups
Who try to discredit your needed work--
Who try to set you up for failure
And then sit by and smugly smirk.

Keep our corporations and our
Elected officials on their toes.
You say that no one's above the law.
There! You hit it on the nose!

Seek out corruption, abuse, and fraud.
Put our leaders' words to the test.
If there's suspicion, follow the money.
The one who laughs last, laughs best.

Authoritarian rulers dislike
A questioning, prying press. No wonder
They try to break you and call you fake,
Hoping you will knuckle under.

When people are manipulated
To criticize, attack, and doubt you,
Just remember, brave reporters:
Democracy CAN'T survive without you.

-by Bob B (12-23-17)