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from gloriana casey
For Labor Day and MLK,
half century, we look back.
The DREAM, the DREAM, it has not died;
it grows stronger, in fact!
For Labor is the heart of all,
and with it —- nations rise!
From scientists to school teachers—
with Middle Class the prize.
In 1963, the year!
The MARCH on Washington;
though much has changed, so much to do,
for work is still undone.
Minimum wage, the MARCH addressed;
for 2 dollars the aim!
Two bucks an hour finally reached….
— 1974 gain
An annual wage 50 years back?
$5,807.00
Eighty-five cents for a movie too!
Entertainment heaven!
One wage earner could do so much:
buy house, raise kids—that’s fact!
Plus buy a car —- retirement too;
we’d like to get that back!
The cost of food? Amazing then!
So low! Just see the price!
25 cents a gallon then,
for milk! That is quite nice!
And gasoline for 30 cents!
Loose change—it takes you far!
See USA in Chevrolet;
America’s proud car!
A loaf of bread — 22 cents!
4 dollars buys that now!
And milk? It’s through the stratosphere!
The cost? Well, Holy Cow!
Across the nation average house,
those payments, they were small.
That average house— 12 thousand –six;
many could have it all!
So here we are— 2013,
where neighbors are foreclosed,
and jobs seemed to have moved offshore;
what’s up? Nobody knows!
So share we all in that same DREAM;
Fairness, Equality.
That ” promissory note” is owed
for future yet to be!
Now 50 years have come and gone,
don’t leave us in suspense!
For nations thrive when fairness reigns;
in Dollars and in Sense!
or
“Dollars and Sense”
from gloriana casey
For Labor Day and MLK,
half century, we look back.
The DREAM, the DREAM, it has not died;
it grows stronger, in fact!
For Labor is the heart of all,
and with it —- nations rise!
From scientists to school teachers—
with Middle Class the prize.
In 1963, the year!
The MARCH on Washington;
though much has changed, so much to do,
for work is still undone.