Slipping Away

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost.

For want of a shoe, the horse was lost.

 For want of a horse, the battle was lost.

 For want of a battle the war was lost.

 –– all for the want of a nail.

So goes a rhyme that’s been lodged in my head for a long time.

     For  want of senator, filibuster reform will be lost. 

     For want of filibuster reform, a Federal voting rights act will be lost.

     For want of a Federal voting rights rights act, American democracy will be lost. 

     For want of American democracy, America will be lost.

–– all for the want of a senator.

The senator in question, Joe Manchin (D.) of West Virginia, isn’t lost yet; but he appears to be slipping away.