LYRICS
Everythin’ to know about me
Is written on this page
A number you can reach me
My social and my age
Yes, I served in the army
It’s where I learned to shoot
Eighteen months in the desert
Pourin’ sand out of my boots
No, I’ve never been convicted of a crime
I could start this job at any time
I got a strong back, steel toes
I rarely call in sick, a good truck
What I don’t know I catch on real quick
I work weekends, if I have to, nights and holidays
Give you forty and then some
Whatever it takes
Three dollars and change at the pump
The cost of livin’s high and goin’ up
I put Robert down as a reference
He’s known me all my life
We attend the same church
He introduced me to my wife
I gave my last job everythin’
Before it headed south
Took the shoes off of my children’s feet
Food out of their mouths
Yesterday my folks offered to help
But they’re barely gettin’ by themselves
I got a strong back, steel toes
I rarely call in sick, a good truck
What I don’t know I catch on real quick
I work weekends, if I have to, nights and holidays
Give you forty and then some
Whatever it takes
Three dollars and change at the pump
The cost of livin’s high and goin’ up
I’m sure a hundred others have applied
But rumor has it you’re only takin’ five
I got a strong back, steel toes
I’m handy with a wrench
There’s nothin’ I can’t drive
There’s nothin’ I can’t fix
I work sunup to sundown
Ain’t too proud to sweep the floors
The bank has started callin’
And the wolves are at my door
Three dollars and change at the pump
The cost of livin’s high and goin’ up
Please, no pity for a G
Though I’ve got a son that I barely get to see
I see him for an hour. After that he’s gotta leave
On top of that, I only get to see him once a week
Yea, right, lucky me
Well fuck child support and whoever disagrees
I learned a valuable lesson, indeed
But I’m just trying to be the best father I can be
Apparently I’m an unfit father, cause all I know is dope
And all I got is dirty dollars
But I’m selling dope to help my family get farther
Cause no 9 to 5 is gonna prevent us from starving
I find this unreasonably fun to play in class (especially my 150-200 student auditoriums). It takes 20-30 minutes as long as I keep it fast-paced. I start off as if I’m excited (celebrate when I pass the typing test), and after a few choices the class starts to act like a game show studio audience. After it’s over, I sometimes ask them to write their reaction to the game and then summarize the game in one sentence. They have fun, then the written exercise cements the big-picture point.
…designed to help people understand the challenges and trade-offs faced by low-income people with insecure employment. The “game” begins when you’ve been unemployed, have only $1,000 left in your bank account, and need to get a low wage job.
The U.S. has long enjoyed its title as the land of opportunity, but in the grip of economic uncertainty this reputation could soon be lost. Struck by poverty, and with unemployment just below 10 percent, many say the American dream is in serious trouble, as RT’s Anastasia Churkina reports.
The latest census figures show another 2.6 million Americans joined the ranks of the poor in 2010. All told, more than 46 million Americans are now living at, or below, the poverty line. That’s the highest number in more than 50 years. Unless the U.S. economy starts improving, some experts say a growing number of families could find themselves just one paycheck away from being homeless. Mil Arcega looks at one organization that’s trying to help.
The world is now seeing the economic uncertainty of the U.S. but for many Americans, it has been apparent for quite some time. Economic despair has been spreading across our nation and it can be seen by the rising number of middle class Americans losing their homes. In some cases, joblessness and inability to pay rent has forced people to live in their cars, shelters, or on the sidewalk.
The labor market in the United States is starting to show signs of recovery, but for many young workers the recovery is not happening fast enough. Although the national unemployment rate is now the lowest it has been in two years, one study suggests the job prospects for 16 to 24-year-olds remains grim.
