Last week I heard a news story about road signs in Virginia and how it’s hard to find your way without a GPS because deferred maintenance has resulted in road signs not being replaced in a timely fashion. Many are missing. I remarked to my wife, “that’s municipal thinking for you—don’t save up for anything and just kick that can down the road again until its someone else’s problem.”

”Down the road again…” That stuck in my head. A few hours later I had penned new lyrics, with apologies to Willie Nelson.

Down the road again
Why do it now when we can do it then?
Our problems grow and yet we simply will not spend
So we’ll just kick them down the road again.

Down the road again
Don’t do your job instead let’s just pretend
Why we don’t save for things, I’ll never comprehend
So send our troubles down the road again.

Down the road again
Roads and bridges ‘cross this country are a-crumblin’
And yet we won’t attend
Officials with our budgets they keep fumblin’
Our tires keep rumblin’

Down the road again
Why do it now when we can do it then?
Our problems grow and yet we simply will not spend
So we’ll just kick them down the road again.