I'd say he pretty much nailed it

[Nzoner]

27 years ago the lyrics below were released on The Rainmakers debut album.Bob Walkenhorst has always had a way with words and when it comes to his song Government Cheese I'd say he pretty much nailed it.

"Give a man a free house and he'll bust out the windows
Put his family on food stamps, now he's a big spender
no food on the table and the bills ain't paid
'Cause he spent it on cigarettes and P.G.A.
They'll turn us all into beggars 'cause they're easier to please
They're feeding our people that Government Cheese

Give a man a free lunch and he'll figure out a way
To steal more than he can eat 'cause he doesn't have to pay
Give a woman free kids and you'll find them in the dirt
Learning how to carry on the family line of work
It's the man in the White House, the man under the steeple
Passing out drugs to the American people
I don't believe in anything, nothing is free
They're feeding our people the Government Cheese

Decline and fall, fall down baby
Decline and fall, said fall way down now
Decline and fall, fall down little mama
Decline and fall, decline and fall

Give a man a free ticket on a dead end ride
And he'll climb in the back even though nobody's driving
Too god**** lazy to crawl out of the wreck
And he'll rot there while he waits for the welfare check
Going to hell in a handbag, can't you see
I ain't gonna eat no Government Cheese"

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Not really. I don't see how anyone would see that song as anything but critical of people abusing the system and mocking them.

That's how I saw it too.

[KCWolfman]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Not really. I don't see how anyone would see that song as anything but critical of people abusing the system and mocking them.

Actually, I can perceive it as glorification of the system as well. People can be idiots with music as well as satirical geniuses, and fools can love the crap. I am assuming that is the reason for such glorious tunes as "My Lip Gloss is Poppin'" and "Stanky Leg".

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

That's really completely not true. "Good" satire doesn't need to stab at both sides. However, good satire will fool people who don't "get it" into thinking that it isn't satire. Like conservatives who think the Colbert Report is really making fun of liberals.

I saw a clip of him doing and interview (was it with O'Reilly?) in character that was hilarious. It had me sputtering with laughter a few times.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by KCWolfman

Actually, I can perceive it as glorification of the system as well. People can be idiots with music as well as satirical geniuses, and fools can love the crap. I am assuming that is the reason for such glorious tunes as "My Lip Gloss is Poppin'" and "Stanky Leg".

No way. That jam was dope.

[KCWolfman]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

That's really completely not true. "Good" satire doesn't need to stab at both sides. However, good satire will fool people who don't "get it" into thinking that it isn't satire. Like conservatives who think the Colbert Report is really making fun of liberals.

My gosh, the animosity is as strong today as when this forum was created. The Rights are puppy eating madmen bent on killing the elderly and destroying minorities. The Left are communistic vultures determined to take every penny from the wealthy and watch everyone suffer equally. The song is a sad commentary on society, both sides, period.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Like conservatives who think the Colbert Report is really making fun of liberals.

Here we go:

[Tangeuray]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Here we go:

"I spend so much time in the world that is spinning all the time that to be in the No Spin Zone actually gives me vertigo" LMFAO.

[KCWolfman]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Here we go:

Colbert is hands down the single best liberal comedian on the market.

Jon Stewart has turned into Tokyo Rose and bores me. I can still laugh at (and with) Colbert regularly.

[La literatura]

Jon Stewart's show is still superior. It has yet to lose that effective sting and when it's on, it's perfect, biting comedy. I like Colbert, and his character-foil is necessary to differentiate, but it builds a un-empathic wall. Also, some of his stuff -- too heavily reliant on himself -- can fall pretty flat.