One dynamic sets this nation apart—
Demands to fix an imperfect start.
Reforms set right historic flaws,
Even blunting greedy, fat cat claws.
Too late we faced the original sin,
The corrosive cancer from within,
But end we did to wicked slavery,
Despite phony Lost Cause knavery.
Second, set off by religious mania,
From New England to Pennsylvania,
The crime of continental theft,
The seizure of land left natives bereft.
Prolific resources for the taking,
Manifest destiny money making;
Central control to the ruling classes,
Work galore for immigrant masses.
Rebellion licensed greater dissent,
Novel, refreshing experiment;
Freer speech, press, open protest—
If not too violent the slugfest.
Okay to promote self-reliance,
But not property rights’ defiance;
Reforms in theory via ballot box
‘Til civil war’s grievous paradox.
Then reigns of Robber Baron plunder,
Plus Jim Crow, sent rights asunder;
Yet battling the oppression oligarchic—
The Progressive Era cathartic.
Enough people fought the good fight
Against well-armed capitalist blight;
Under duress, wealth shares its spoils
But never forsakes its octopus coils.
Thus the assault against the New Deal
That crowns today’s hard right ordeal.
Why not buy judges from head to toe,
What billionaire is short of dough?
The dynamic fight remains unchanged,
Incessant war ‘gainst power deranged;
The rich hold fast to the bitter end,
Yet game progressives can schemes upend.
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