Ratings - The Raters & the Rated

O what a fall was there
My fellowmen and worse
We do not know who else
Will fall in the days to come

When you are a poor nation
Ratings really do not matter
A fall or a rise by a notch or two
Only impacts borrowing costs!!

But things do change
Rather dramatically when
One talks about the largest
And richest nation in the world

Just mere coffee table talk,
Of a downgrade - sends
Shivers up the market's spine
Stocks totter and reel fast

This time S&P bit the bullet
And actually downgraded
The US of A shocking
The world at large

Rightly or wrongly, is still
To be seen - but this step
Has  made headlines so hopes
Of limiting damage are thin!!