The State Of My State Poem by Patricia Williams

The bosses call it a more efficient company standard
But their layoffs will not pay my efficient credit card
Working for 20 years doesn't count for a thing
When you are being replaced by a cold metal machine
Wall Street says that the current recession is over
Tell that to the homeless child using a newpaper cover
Each day workers wait for the axe to fall and destroy
Their lives, their normal situation and their joy
And look at the faces of young children waiting in line
And wonder what the world will be like in their time

We hear congress is working on health care reform
But politicians in charge of my health is cause for alarm
Do they understand that a terminal patient leaves a loss?
And that a family deals with that and picks up the cost
You pray to stay healthy and live life to the fullest
But sometimes health problems arise that is the cruelest
Your normal life disappears and succumbs to disease
While politicians jack around reform at their ease
If politicians could lose their homes, cars and fancy boats
Maybe they would cut out the rewards for votes

Let the goods we buy say 'Made in America'
And let the American worker get their fair share
Let the farmers grow fruits, vegetables and grain
Let ranchers raise livestock that sees normal gain
Keep out loggers busy supplying the builders
The plumbers, electricians, and the carpet layers
Build up our industries some large some small
Let America go back to work employment for all
Give us back our dignity and our way of life
Raise the children in a family with a husband and wife