We’ve been shocked and awed
By the unmitigated hubris
Of those who own the whole world
But will not be satisfied until we all
Have to pay them rent on our bodies,
Purchase the air we breathe
And buy a license to inhabit our own footprints

We’ve been shocked and awed
By the endless flow of sewage
Coming out of their mad media machines
Spewing lies, pumping preposterous bullshit
Pissing carelessness on the poor, the old, and the infirmed,
While sucking corporate cock
And praying at the alter of money

We’ve been shocked and awed
By the lemmings who march lockstep,
And in their misguided anger
Lash out at those who look different,
But in reality are their family members
Many of whom, suffer the same conditions
Of economic oppression

We’ve been shocked and awed
By politicians who say that we are broke
And shouldn’t pay our bills
While they are bathing in corporate cash,
Calling those who need help deadbeats,
Laughing all the way to their off shore banks
And betraying their so-called family values

We’ve been shocked and awed
By their bigoted accounting,
Voodoo economics,
Heartless ignorance,
Willingness to make everyone suffer
For their mistakes
While blaming their victims

We’ve been shocked and awed
By the naivety of even the most cynical people
Who cling to the hope
That the good cops don’t work for the same master,
The system is not rotten to the core
And, other than ourselves…
There is a savior who will lead us to the Promised Land

We’ve been shocked and awed
By the partisanship of some
Who are willing to destroy people’s lives
In order to elevate their own stature,
Enrich themselves and their puppeteers,
While stealing the hopes and dreams
Of people who want to work for a better life

We’ve been shocked and shocked again
And we stand in awe of the hypocrisy
That they mindlessly exhibit
But our memory fails us
And they know
That in time…
All will be
Forgotten

Robert Allan © 2011