My So-Called Democracy
Lyrical Tease
I’ve got 500 channels of hi-def TV, Dis-information in crystal clarity,
The rise of American idiocy, Home of the neo-con consent factory,
in my so-called democracy
Credits:
Words & Music; Performance; Production: Rob Frail
Awards
8/31/08 Hon. Mention The 2008 Billboard World Song Contest
2/17/08 Top 30 Durango Song Contest 2008
6/30/07 4th Place 11th Annual Unisong International Song Contest
Back Story
The US likes to hold itself above all other governments as a model for Democracy, with voting rights, free speech, etc.
The truth is more sinister.
In about 2004, I learned that our government was making propaganda films can called Video News Releases (VNRs),
disguised as real news, complete with fake reporters, but embedded into broadcasts on real TV stations.
Ironically, I learned of this on a TV news show (something I rarely watch).
Here’s another VNR that hyped the First Gulf War.
But it turns out that government propaganda and manipulation of opinion on a grand scale are nothing new.
In a 1941 declassified memo, OSS (later CIA) media master Frank Wizner bragged about how his group could ‘play the mighty Wurlitzer’ of the press (print & radio back then). In fact, you should read all about it in a book just published:
The Mighty Wurlitzer: How the CIA Played America.
With the election of Barack Obama, I’m gonna ajdust the lyrics in the third Chorus to talk about the criminal GOP purging of legitimate voters, the hacking of voting machines, maybe a bit about the state of healthcare.
As I say, Get Informed.
Lyrics
(© 2010, You’d Be Surprised; All Rights Reserved)
Now the White House is making news videos,
just to make sure I know what to know,
about legislation that affects nation,
let ‘em think for me, don’t disturb my vegetation
Chorus 1
Cause I’ve got 500 channels of hi-def TV, in my so-called democracy
Dis-information in crystal clarity, in my so-called democracy
The rise of American idiocy, in my so-called democracy
Home of the neo-con consent factory, in my so-called democracy
Verse 2
Where the 4th estate is bought by the 2nd,
I’m sure this is just what The Framers had reckoned.
Where town hall meetings with the candidates
are screened for the right kind of sycophants
Chorus 2
And I’ve got justice for all who have enough money, in my so-called democracy
Unfair, unbalanced crazies on TV, in my so-called democracy
Don’t look toward the FCC, in my so-called democracy
Dude, where’s your accountability? in my so-called democracy, listen up,
In my so-called democracy, In my so-called democracy
Brdige
If the White House needs to pay the press,
well, they’re only looking out for my best.
And if rich folk are feeling oppressed
let’s give ‘em more tax breaks, cause that’s what’s best.
And if they need to draft us for their next conquest,
well, they’re only looking out for our best.
Looking out for our best, can’t you see,
just don’t call it democracy
Chorus 3 (Updated 12-2009)
Where the government spies on us domestically, in my so-called democracy
Hurricane recovery incompetency, in my so-called democracy
Let’s give the bankers a raise & claim recovery; just don’t call it democracy
Let’s call it a corporate kleptocracy just don’t call it democracy
Chorus 3 (Pre-Obama)
Where White House reporting is just stenography, in my so-called democracy
Cause don’t you dare question their policy, in my so-called democracy
Let’s make some laws in secrecy; just don’t call it democracy
Pretext for wars througout history; just don’t call it democracy
Let’s call it a theo-plutocracy just; don’t call it democracy, Check it out,
In my so-called democracy, In my so-called democracy
In my so-called democracy, In my so-called democracy
“Just don’t call it a democracy.”
This song expresses my exact feelings on the subject.
Great lyrics, sung amazingly, one of my favorite political songs of all time besides “Alive.”
~M.P.
Loved your lyrics.
Thanx Mina & Jeff