Dear Mr President (This is Why We're Here)

A protest song for the Occupy movement.

Dear Mr. President, this is why we're here.
Allow us to explain, though it is probably clear:

Dear Mr. President, this is what we wanted.
To build homes, not bomb them but we
clearly can't do it with all the drama in congress.
Like it's all about your image, not doing what's right.
Like it's beers with the boys and we won't even ask what you get up to in the white house at night.

We have assembled to plead the case
of people with troubles you tried to erase. You took an oath
to serve, were your fingers crossed when you said the words,
or was the meaning lost?

A patriot would put the brakes on this.
A patriot would not manipulate the populace.
A true patriot would never split the wax from the wick.
Apparently patriotism and politics don't mix.

Dear Mr. President, this is why we're here.
In good conscience we can't let this go another year.
Unstuck from the corrupted order,
The people, that's US, can no longer afford to
WAIT.

True Patriots sleep on streets
or in cells, a patriot's spirit can never be held.
True patriotism is impossible to defeat -
ideas are invincible, they can't be killed.

[chorus]
Of everything we needed done
you barely made a dent.
Of all your empty promises
was there even ONE you meant?

We gave you a fair chance
and this is how it went.
Signed,
Sincerely yours,

The Other Ninety-Nine Percent.

You drive us to the danger zone
and pretend to act surprised
while it's clear you've spent the
last few years rolling your eyes.
Slavery is subsidized, freedom is a hoax, and you must have missed
that your list of laws is just a joke.

So here's what's gotta happen-
you've gotta see things from our side.
We tried to do things your way,
but that paradigm has died.

We stand before you peaceably
and are here to stay.
until you change.

And we say:

[chorus]

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gabriel Quinn Andreas
• protest OSB
• occupy
• singer-songwriter
• Song

[Frustockl]

Thank you Gabriel for coming out and supporting the occupy cause. Your music is brilliant! Together we will be the change we want to see in the world. While some just come online to complain and write on walls people like ourselves are down in the streets spreading the message. We are the 99% and we will be heard. A new world is possible! Much love brother. Ricardo

[lsavage3]

Great song! Shared with me by a Codpink sister in Calif.,(via Occupy America blog where it was posted), and I just shared it on the Occupy the NH Primary event page on facebook. Maybe they will play it at their dance party this weekend.

Here's an idea whose time has come: Occupy the Elections i.e. faced with a choice between two evils, don't vote for either one -- instead, write Occupy in the space provided.

[marshallgetto]

@ProlefeedTV Why does it have be a zero-sum game? Is he not allowed to criticize the President without you assuming that he automatically endorses the other side? Are we supposed to just never criticize a President if the other side of the aisle is totally horrible? Two-party duopoly with both parties controlled by the same money is killing this country...

[remixthetruth]

@suede1976

If you're on the side of liberty for all, then yeah, we're on the same side. While I respect your take, I disagree. I think reform has been weak to nonexistent under obama, and some seriously unconstitutional things are taking place NOW. It could be worse, yes, but do you think the founding fathers were talking amongst themselves saying, "well, it could be worse..." No, they dreamt of a better world. (well, that's the idealized version. That is a debate in itself. Haha). Take care.

[suede1976]

@remixthetruth we're mostly on the same side. And by regulatory reform, that's exactly what i mean, making sure the regulators we have in place do their effing job. I, for one, will be doing everything i can to make sure Obama is elected again because, man, it could be way worse. peace

[remixthetruth]

Regulatory reform? I'm not arguing with you, but do you realize that we've completely hamstrung our own economy through deregulation? If we continue down this path we're literally going to end up as a third world country. As far as I'm concerned, the only people taking over will be We, The People. How that will look, I have no idea. And thank goodness I'm not a systems theorist, because to the untrained eye, this looks messy as all get out. Cheers.

[remixthetruth]

@suede1976

I mean, I can only write so many songs about the system, friend. My business is not to badmouth particular people, but modes of thought. I grew up under reagan, clinton, bush, and obama. For what it's worth, this song could be directed at any of them. As for modest advances, I don't know how old you are, but my generation will live shorter lives than their parents. That doesn't seem like an advance to me. That's regression.

[suede1976]

@remixthetruth I know you're not a republican, i meant that if you talk enough shit about Obama and people listen, the Right will take over again and they'll roll back even the modest advances we've made in healthcare and regulatory reform. I completely understand the disillusionment, but there are more appropriate targets for your vitriol.

"system is the culprit in this case, not whoever is at the head." Then rename your song :)

[remixthetruth]

And for all you Obama true believers, he signed the NDAA on NYE. If that isn't a warning bell, I don't know what is.