Musing about corporations, arm-twisting, acquiescence, and loyalty oaths.
Along with the other big Original American Sin, the question of whether to allow corporations - at all - was another topic that hung up the Constitutional Convention for a while, with the same result - that it got left up to the states to decide. With (I argue) equally troublesome results.
So this one starts with a holdout at that convention, continues with holding out against a predatory employment agreement, and finishes with a loyalty oath that surely is a long-irrelevant relic of the 1950s…
lyrics
we’re here to sign this document,
a constitution covenant -
i’m overjoyed those tyrants went -
but let me sit and read it...
hm...
some features of it that i note:
corporations have a vote
but slaves, the poor, and women don’t
i thought i’d sign it - but i won’t
(what?)
and i said no, no thank you, i decline
this document i will not sign
i think it is a poor design
for a free and vibrant country
...for a free and thriving country
i’m glad i’m starting work today
let’s get these forms out of the way
a non-expiring NDA
with non-compete forever?
hm...
you get the rights to all i say
plus all my hours for every day
why would i sign all that away?
i think we can do better
...for meaningful employment
for profit or enjoyment
writing lines down is fine,
my honey and i
like to clarify things on a page
sometimes what we sign
makes us walk more in line with ourselves,
but sometimes
it’s entering a cage
i see you’ve brought this oath to sign
to simply pledge allegiance -
or maybe that’s obedience -
but let me sit and read it...
hm...
i’ve underlined this passage here
on worshipping our leader dear
i must admit, it seems unclear
why democracy should need it
and then i say no, no thank you, i decline
some documents i will not sign
i think it is a poor design
to pressure my acceptance
...though i don’t know where that’s left us…
parts
tjw: guitar, vocals, bass ukelele, synth snare drum, whistling