POEM - No Fear

The problem in the United States
Is that the Government
does not
Fear
the people

Here, for good reason, it’s the other way around
(Cheney, Bush, Gonzalez, Rumsfeld)

Of course the Government talks plenty about what
The “people” want, need, desire
And dream about
But all the talk is eclipsed by the needs and imperatives
Of the Money changers
Who buy access and influence wholesale

“democracy” is never allowed to interfere with
The Business of the ruling class

In paneled rooms with plush carpeting
Where levers are pulled, buttons pushed, nods exchanged
Deals done and documents signed
Money wins and the people lose
Every time

Under the veneer of civility and legality
The smiles and handshakes
it’s grand theft
as blatant as a mugging

The people may get mad but rarely
Do enough of them become angry enough
To march into the streets
Armed with bottles and Molotov cocktails
Rocks and baseball bats
Determined to extract a pound of flesh from
The ruling classes
Intent on demanding their share of the nation’s bounty

The people are easily misled
Pacified
Distracted
Divided
More interested in shopping for stuff they don’t
Need
Hunkering down in front of their HD TV’s
Playing video games
Than in holding the powerful accountable

The people shake their heads with disgust
When they should be shaking their
Fists
With
Rage