The Headline Reel

The gavel fell in Washington, a sound both sharp and old Another fight for the Speaker's chair, a story often told They're drawing lines on budget maps with pens of red and black While talk of shutdowns fills the air, there ain't no turning back Out on the coast, the silver screen went silent for a spell The writers and the actors walked, with different tales to tell From picket lines to bargaining rooms, they fought to get their due Against the ghost in the machine, that thinks of something new

Oh, the headlines roll like a thunder drum, but the tune is one I've heard before Of power won and of wages lost, of slamming a neighbor's door Just different names for the rising tide, and the storm that's yet to break For the human heart and its foolish pride, and the very same mistakes In Motor City, the engines stopped, the UAW stood tall For a living wage and a promise kept, they answered freedom's call They watched the profits climb so high, a mountain steep and grand And asked for just a single stone to hold there in their hand

Meanwhile the Fed, it plays its hand, to cool the burning fire Of prices climbing day by day, pushing moments to the wire A 'soft landing' is the prayer they speak, in whispers soft and low But the cost of milk and gasoline is all the people know Oh, the headlines roll like a thunder drum, but the tune is one I've heard before Of power won and of wages lost, of slamming a neighbor's door Just different names for the rising tide, and the storm that's yet to break For the human heart and its foolish pride, and the very same mistakes

They talk of minds built out of code, a world that's brave and new But the fear of being left behind is cutting straight and true From the halls of power to the factory floor, the questions are the same Who gets to eat, who gets to work, who gets to play the game? Oh, the headlines roll like a thunder drum, but the tune is one I've heard before Of power won and of wages lost, of slamming a neighbor's door Just different names for the rising tide, and the storm that's yet to break For the human heart and its foolish pride, and the very same mistakes