"America's Back Pages": A reluctant acknowledgment in song of several disturbing aspects of how the country is going these days.

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The text: America’s Back Pages Rushing through a health-care plan without a score from the CBO Throwing millions off insurance who have no place to go Philosophizing that if they’re uncovered and sick it’s their fault somehow: Ah, America you might have been so great, it’s much worse than that now. We won’t join forces with the world’s nations to slow down climate change To their mighty voices we are deaf, let’s just sing “Home on the Range”: No discouraging words, we must be first, but alone that’s an empty vow. Ah, America, you might have been so great, it’s much worse than that now. Pull down the idols of rebellion who defended white supremacy, Then watch the defenders light their torches, breathe the smoke of bigotry: Prophets’ words on tenement walls become devil words on LeBron’s gate: Ah, America, how can you hope to thrive, let alone declare you’re great? Steeped in dogmas of religion, unlearned in the lessons of love, Turn to God to solve all problems — grace must come from above: Steer tax dollars to sectarian schooling, as knees bend and heads bow: Ah, America, you might have been so great; you’re something much less now. Across the land, where folks are hurting, programs for them will be trimmed They imagined billionaires had their back; that desperate hope has dimmed: Second acts in poor American lives the fates will not allow: Ah, America, you might have been so great, you’re much worse than that now.
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