disturbing practices

we've been duped,
and it's not the
first time.
we have been led
into wars
and made to choose
a side.
but we're not
very good at picking.
every elected official
has been voted into office
by us.
we were given a couple of
candidates to choose from
and they're on the same side.
so the outcome
will always be the same.
in all reality,
our choices
are no choice at all.

we've been told it is
for National Security,
but really it's just to keep
the War Machine in tune,
well oiled,
and ready for potential combat.

we were given a lunatic
with a bowl cut
who mowed down
a Church group
and brandished a flag
that hasn't been in the news
since the Duke boys
had it painted on top of their
car in the early 80's.
suddenly, this flag is a problem.
as if it wasn't a problem
from the beginning.
as if it didn't show
a lack of sympathy,
and absolute disrespect
to the offspring
of those who were enslaved
by the 1% during Confederate times.
don't get me wrong,
the flag has its place.
perhaps in a museum,
or on the back of a 'good ol' boy's'
pickup truck.

still, we're being misled.
whether it's war,
or money,
or political corruption,
they'll keep us pointed
in the wrong direction
so they can keep up
the lies.

but i digress.

it's the same ol'
same ol'
and it doesn't seem to be
getting
any better.

some day, maybe,
we'll take pride in humanity
rather than race.
we'll look at war as something
that only barbarians partook.
we'll laugh at Capitalism
like we laugh at Fascism.
and we'll be happier for it.