Cynaera wrote: 
We hear it on KPIG out here in Santa Cruz. Of course, they are some of Bill's old KFAT siblings, but there is an underground current of dissent against the "way things are". It's not just your imagination.

Like the lady said: "If you're not p*ssed off, you're not paying attention. 

Long live the folk tradition of speaking truth to power.

 sandyclaws wrote: 
Because we all need more disposable stuff!

Like a modern Charlie Daniels, lyric-wise. Love it.

 fredriley wrote: 
Thank you, Fred - I was starting to feel like the backward step-child, believing that McMurtry had a line on what was and is going on in the world. (Love the references to Guthrie, Seeger, Bragg, and lest we forget, Cohen, Young, Browne...) I still can't get over the words - betting a person will NEVER hear this song on the radio, unless it's censored.

 MrClean wrote: 

That's easy.  You're the naive one.

We are on the eve of destruction ... oops that was 40years ago. 

 Gryn wrote: 

Painful is right.

 maxjboxer wrote: 
All songs are - they're not long enough for full-blown political analyses, and their intention is to arouse emotion and tell a tale, not to set out a complete politico-economic policy. What do you want, a thesis? This song tells a powerful tale of economic and social decline at the sharp end. What causes the decline and how to reverse is another, and much more wordy, matter. IMO this song is in the folk tradition of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Billy Bragg and so many others. Kudos to McMurtry for telling it how it is. 8 from the Nottingham jury.

 maxjboxer wrote: 

I agree with you.  The knee jerk suspicion of private enterprise glosses over the fact that in this country wealth comes from the private sector.

Scary thing is that there are a lot of movies and video games about the apocalypse. It's almost like people want it to happen because that would completely flip the balance of power. Basic survival skills would far outweigh money which would turn into highly decorated toilet paper. It doesn't seem too far off.

James makes it painfully clear.  The musicians and artists always tell it like it is.

 MrClean wrote: 
Right on, right on, and right on!

 maxjboxer wrote: 
So in other words, if we make it easier for corporate exploitation at home, they would stay here and we'd all have jobs tomorrow?

Which of you is the naive one?

The context changes, the song remains. The upcoming budget stand-off.... and all we hear about is "American Exceptionalism".

And yes, Bush sucks!

 GT66 wrote: 

Great comment, GT66. I couldn't agree more. I don't shop at Walmart for so many reasons. The irony of it is that Walmart's low-price marketing appeals to the very same working-class folk who have suffered the most damage at the hands of corporations that have sacrificed our common welfare for the sake of cheap goods - to say nothing of the fact that Walmart is one of the worst of the worst when it comes to treatment of its own employees. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your own face - I just don't get how it's so hard for people to see the big picture, or if they do, why it is that they don't care more.

 dyharenas wrote: 
dyharenas, I disdain your type.  You come across as the sort of person who gets all offended when he reads, yet fails to parse obvious sarcasm.  I'm not sure where you're from, so I can't say whether I know anyone from your bit of the world, or whether they're as thick...

 thewiseking wrote: 

Hmm, not so sure about that. A good many Tea Partiers were/are Republican and/or conservatives who are very critical of President Obama, but not so much of ex-President Bush. Note the release date of the album, and the direct reference to the president in the song. Whereas the Tea Party movement was borne out of criticism of our current President, I think it's safe to assume/infer that the lyrics of this song are a fairly pointed criticism of the last administration's foreign, social, and financial (i.e., deregulation) policies and the shape in which they left our country and its citizens - not to mention of corporate practices and the disaster they have wreaked on working people.

 goldenfiddle wrote: 
As I sit here working at my computer this afternoon, Mr. McMurty's lyrics seeped into my mind creating a picture of something rather ugly.  It all seems way too real and accurate to me 6 years after this recording was released (2005).  As goes the economy so goes society?

Someone needs to play this at the next RNC.

I really wish this song was not so accurate. Brutal.

That McMurtry guy can sure write a cheery little ditty, huh?

Btw, that pic on the album cover? Close as he ever gets to a smile.

I have so come around on this dude. This tune, in particular, I find seriously devastating.

depressing song, but nothing but truth!!!!!!

 thewiseking wrote:  sad to say the words ring true . . . are we listening — are we ready ?

now THIS is a tea party anthem. if only they knew it....

The bankers are still "makin it here". As a matter of fact, they're payin out over a hundred billion in bonuses this year so they can keep the luxury condo and 2nd home markets propped up in this town. Good thing we taxpayers bailed em out.

I've had a couple good ideas lately:
Forgive all countries all debt (I heard some guy talking on the radio the other night and he had the same idea it's called a Jubilee.)
 Let's start over and...
let's start making our own stuff again. As Larry says in this song it is utter insanity to continue to go on as we are.

word.  My job has been sent offshore twice.  My kids are left with little aspirations.  Should they move to Asia to move forward?  How very sad.