He takes his meals from a tray all alone
Once had a good life, once had a home
‘Til they took the retirement that he’d counted on
And now he wonders how it went wrong
'Cause this ain’t the way that he thought it would be
Livin’ and dyin’ in the Land of the Free
Friday Flash 55 at the G-Man's
This is an addendum from my reply to Diane's comment that I believe will shed some light on the poem, which really isn't a poem at all, but a lyric.
This is a partial lyric I wrote for a song inspired by the rape of the International Harvester Company back in the mid-80's. The Reagan backed policy change which allowed corporations to use their employee's retirement funds as assets led to the hostile takeover of this company and the pillaging of its retirement fund which in many cases left generations destitute... the retired grandfather, the 50-something father with no job or retirement, and the 30-something son now with no job. Entire families lost all of their income. Another benefit, compliments of the neo-cons.
This is an addendum from my reply to Diane's comment that I believe will shed some light on the poem, which really isn't a poem at all, but a lyric.
This is a partial lyric I wrote for a song inspired by the rape of the International Harvester Company back in the mid-80's. The Reagan backed policy change which allowed corporations to use their employee's retirement funds as assets led to the hostile takeover of this company and the pillaging of its retirement fund which in many cases left generations destitute... the retired grandfather, the 50-something father with no job or retirement, and the 30-something son now with no job. Entire families lost all of their income. Another benefit, compliments of the neo-cons.
welcome to the american dream....smiles....land of the free....we still have some freedoms but...
ReplyDeleteOMG, that is my future. Just put a pillow over my head now...
ReplyDeleteYeah man...you probably haven't been keeping up with the going ons in Detroit but there is a good chance i will lose my pension to pay off the bankers who own this town. Fuck 'em then they come and take my house because i won't be able to afford the taxes or insurance. Where is the line forming for that tray of food?
ReplyDeleteAll to familiar WM. Bankers taking people's houses for taxes is what ruined this country in the '30's. Deja Vu all over again.
DeleteAin't it a shame...
ReplyDeleteI went to his page to see what the connection was with the poem (didn't find any). He's got an interesting blog though.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of that poem, it's a shame that the elderly sometimes get "swept under the carpet". I live in the mountains in Pa., and there is a wide mix of age groups that interact here. We all look out for each other. No one likes "being old". But to be old in a tight community has its rewards, not just to one person, but to the many others who benefit from the wisdom and experiences of that person.
This is a partial lyric I wrote for a song inspired by the rape of the International Harvester Company back in the mid-80's. The Reagan back policy change which allowed corporations to use their employee's retirement funds as assets led to the hostile takeover of this company and the pillaging of it's retirement fund which in many cases left generations destitute... the retired grandfather, the 50-something father with no job or retirement, and the 30-something son now with no job. Entire families lost all of their income.
DeleteMy mother-in-law (Gretchen Ney Laugier) did a painting called "Pissing on the Developer's Graves". You can catch a glimpse of it by viewing her retrospective (google Gretchen Laugier retrospective). She was a great advocate for mankind on many levels. She marched with Ramona Africa, wrote to Suniata in prison, and painted Willy Darden into our family portrait because he was being executed for a murder he did not commit and she could not stop thinking about him (the portrait graces our kitchen wall to this day). This kind of thing would have made her burn, and it makes me burn as well. I believe that one day all of the bankers/lawyers/politicians/ect. who are robbing the common man will be brought up on charges and there will be hell to pay.
Delete*At least there should be.
We need to support our local merchants and take care of our neighbors.
This comeuppance for the robber barons has happened before, the one that comes to mind is the French revolution. It wasn't pretty and nor will it be here.
DeleteThis is a wonderful lyric. It makes me think, sadly, the more things change the more they stay the same.
ReplyDeleteI love it..and it makes me weepy.
ReplyDeleteI actual giggle now whenever some jackass mumbles those words, "Land of the free..." They usually have this mindless stare as if they are looking at glory. I figure the Taliban and other extremists have a similar look.
ReplyDeleteGood lyrics. I thought it was from an actual song when I was reading it. Very descriptive of our new and improved Gilded Age.
ReplyDeleteWe never thought life would be like it is now. For us it’s the collapse of retirement funds due to a whole heap of causes, among them bankruptcies, take-overs and false promises. We thought we’d be safe and comfortable; we are not alone, there are others much worse off.
ReplyDeleteThat’s the benefits of capitalism.
This reminds me of when Tiger great Denny Mclean bought the Farmer Pete's Meat Co. then proceeded to rape their pension fund. He went to prison, but what does a guy with no retirement care about that Dick-Weed?
ReplyDeleteLoved your Social Commentary 55 Brother
Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End
And how do more people not see what a sin it is for the very rich to screwing over the workers? Do they not think about this at all when they vote, so distracted by things like trying to oppose gay rights or reproductive freedom. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteAnd there are millions of middle-class people, comfortable in their houses and SUVs with flat-screen TVs and satellite radio, who have no idea how close they are to this scenario.
ReplyDeleteTruly heartbreaking. I think, honsetly a blend of capitalism and socialism is the key. But we will never get there, I fear, as politicians are too often not in politics for the right reason. Sigh.
ReplyDelete