Doesn’t Make $ense
Money...
The value of the dollar and cent,
Minimum wage increases
To match the ever rising inflation.
Everything “free” comes at a price
Whether or not there's fine print
In little black letters at the bottom of the page.
The only comfort for the family
After the funeral of your loved one is over
Is the mercenary thought of the inheritance –
Whatever's left of it after probate court, anyway.
It just might be enough to pay off the mortgage
On that house the children grew up in,
Which they'll inherit when it's your turn to go.
You know that machines are becoming
Pickier than people about taking money
When one spits out the cash you offered
Just because the corner was crumpled.
How much more honest can you get than a Lincoln?
Technology is supposed to save us time
But filing isn't any faster
When both computers and taxes
Are getting more complicated.
The Robin Hood that gets you a return from the government
Is now HR Block or Turbo Tax.
Ironic, but these times of uncertain change
Produce the most job security;
Particularly for psychiatrists and psychologists,
Police officers and the prisons.
They will always have work.
Consumables are another constant.
Unfortunately those who need the most
Can least afford to pay it.
It's hard to go shopping when you're hungry
And see everything on the shelves you can't afford.
Suicide is not allowed
But survival is living death for a lot of individuals.
You need education or experience –
Sometimes both – to get work.
What happens when education isn't enough?
You can't work because you need experience
But you can't get experience because you can't work.
College graduates let go by the company
Are flipping fast-food like those with the GED.
Poverty is the great leveler.
Yet most of us are rich peasants –
Falling below the Federal Poverty Level
But earning more than we could in third world countries.
“Poor” is comparative.
You'd be a better employee if you could enjoy your work –
In occupation is found so much identity –
But you can no longer do what you love for a living
Because it just doesn't pay.
Art and music programs are the first to disappear
When the school board faces budget cuts.
Job stands for Just Over Broke
When employers reduce expenses
By hiring an increased number of people,
But fewer than forty hours a week each.
It becomes impossible to work two such jobs at once
Since the schedules of both are always shifting.
People live paycheck to paycheck.
What used to be set aside for retirement
Today is put into a Social Security fund –
Now mandatory instead of an option –
The benefits of which they'll never see
Because there aren't enough births
To support the previous generation.
(Having children eats through your income
Like they would a peanut butter jelly sandwich).
Cost prohibits convenience and choices.
If you don't have finances for formula
You have to breastfeed.
Whether it's better for your baby or not
Is a question only those with money consider.
Most people have to choose between money or time.
With kids out of the house and work days over,
Older folks come the closest to finally having both –
Only to discover that age limits their activity.
Life is unfair.