"LABOR DAY AND MLK "
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.
The hourly wage back in that time
one dollar - twenty -five.
For prices were much lower then,
though people still could thrive.
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!
