The Function of Poverty

In this nation – they have a problem with coffee in moderation
Dietary moderation can be key to your duration
(Now) On minimum wage you really can’t be surivin
(while) – Nicholas Cage literally is out buyin islands
the only function of poverty – it bothers me - - -
- - is to keep the rich rich and satisfy their greed
while deprivin other people of their basic livin needs
- these – people most seem to lack the means
they too selfish to care about people livin their bad dreams
imagine if people stopped buyin jewelry
and gave that money to those not thrivin in the community
- wait a minute - - you still think the system is workin?
- just ask someone who isn’t – they say they tryin to cure cancer
spending billions I read –we not treatin the preventable
disease of selfish greed - when did sharing become bad
and greed become the dream? – I believe – it was when
those who claimed the land began- tryin to tell us what to read
…. And not to question what you read…

Charity and philanthropy – Dr. King said that these acts are problematic – when they don’t address the reasons
why it needs to get enacted – we don’t need charity
what we need to see is working class solidarity (HOOK 1)

Jails a slave labor force – why you think they don’t want
the drug laws off course? – - they teach legends
like that slavery ended – - but the 13th amendment
it said it’s over unless you get convicted of a crime
if you in prison they can work you all day for a dime
and the poor can’t afford the right lawyer in a bind
the type that can free you at the trial from the time
justice ain’t blind it’s got an eye for the rich
who’s inclined to go free – while the poor adorn jails
for sellin and smoking weed – you for the drug war
(that’s war) on the poor – but the poor don’t own planes
that fly it into the community – the hood don’t make guns
gun makers get immunity - - Harriet Tubman said
this in her days – I could’a freed a thousand more
who didn’t know they were slaves – capitalism
are you happy wit the system? – they try to excuse it acts of

Hook 1

Metaphorically I’m like a metaphor without comparison
Few can afford 99 Fords like Harrison
- sneakers make how they sneakin’ slave labor
corporations - pollute - the air they do it major
they can afford the fines they’re gave now or later
there’s another way for them to pay for misbehavior
takin away their power and bringin it to the people (“tell ‘em”)
- - - - in a new system where greed is illegal
- they only give us a job if it makes their pockets fatter
they don’t give us no jobs to solve the problems that matter
- - - - - they say Barack O’ BOMB is the man
but he’s down wit the program – that’s why he sends drones in
to - bomb Pakistan – two parties with one plan
the man – wanna keep us - under an old rule
the golden rule – where he who has the gold makes the rules
we don’t need his charity – he wanna give us charity but

(Hook 1)

Po – ver – ty – it’s not civilized – yeah – pov – er- ty
We can’t have this in our lives – yeah – pov – er – ty (HOOK 2)

We can’t rely on the authorities to fix the problems
For the majority they usually are the cause of them
The eradication – of the root cause of poverty
People like you and me could get it fixed properly
It’s up to us in solidarity to make a better system
Im’a give you a glimpse of it now if you listen
picture this system – it’s replacement
wit workers controlling –their own work places
people of all ages work in cooperation
all people have jobs for needs not for profit
a time no more culture of violence cause we stopped it
we in bliss – cause poverty no longer exists
technology helps all and not just the rich
our work benefits the whole community where we stay
we all have a real say on the issues of the day
we have plenty of time for play and time to get away

OUTRO

Together we could make it happen…

Get - in – volved – we all could be doin a lot more

This ain't just about being able to sit at the lunch counter
this is about everybody bein able to afford the lunch

Thank you to all my people who fight the system
Thank you for listenin
Thank you for supporting independent hip hop