Before anyone gets the wrong idea, this song is in no way an endorsement of republicans or the right wing of American politics (if anything, it ridicules the idea being put forth by republicans that this administration is “socialist” or “left” or whatever scary words they can conjure up to demonize the politics of social justice). It is, instead, a condemnation of a two party electoral/media system that continues to put us in the position of choosing between (and placing our hopes on) corporate democrats and corporate republicans.
In the third verse of Biz Markie’s 1988 track Nobody Beats the Biz, there’s a really profound line stating, “Reagan is the prez, but I voted for Shirley Chisholm.” I took that to mean that Shirley Chisholm was the kind of candidate we wish could win, but Reagan was who we got stuck with.
This song is merely a mild critique. And it will take much more than a mild critique of a president to bring about anything more than fragile, snail-like reforms. With that said, I hope this song will inspire people to work not only toward improving the quality of our candidates, but more so toward changing the very institutions that regulate our participation in society.
If you are interested (or you think you know someone that might be interested) in adding your own music (or better vocals) to the mix, you can go to http://ccmixter.org/files/projectquestion/31820. When you’re done, you can email the mp3 to info (at) lonnierayatkinson (dot) com.
My hope is that these words will strike fear in the hearts of corporate democrats who sell our votes to the highest bidder and shame in the hearts of republicans who have the audacity to even suggest that this administration in any way represents progressives or the American left.