A Colloquy

We need some jobs, cried ninety-nine.

We're the ones that create them, said the one.

Why don’t you then? asked ninety-nine.

The time’s not right, replied the one.

Why are you waiting? asked ninety-nine.

We need more certainty, declared the one.

And tax breaks, too?  asked ninety-nine.

Well that’d be nice, replied the one.

How ‘bout demand? asked ninety-nine.

Yeah - go out and buy stuff, said the one.

Don’t have the money, said ninety-nine.

Well, we’re doing our part, declared the one.

It’s just not fair, said ninety-nine,

That you’re so rich and we’re so poor.

Some can’t find work anymore.

Some can’t buy food, some’ve lost their home

Some poor kids’ll be skin and bone

While you sit purring like a cat.

Where’s the justice in all that?

That’s just how it is, replied the one

The game of life is zero sum

There’s winners and there’s losers, mate

You might as well accept your fate.

There’s more of us than you, said ninety-nine.

Let's raise taxes on the rich!

We’ve got the vote, let’s use it now

To redistribute wealth somehow.

Good luck with that, declared the one

We’ve bought congress, you see.

They work for us and won’t agree

To endanger the funds that they need.

When all's said and done, it's simply their greed

That makes them so pliable-

They’re deferential, so reliable.

You haven’t got a chance, my friend,

The system’s gamed from start to end.