[Verse 1] The Pentagon builds a fighter jet today Twenty billion dollars, Congress wants to play Five hundred thirty-five districts need their share Jobs and factories scattered everywhere Multi-year programs need protection every season Politicians invest but not for strategic reason Each representative becomes a guardian stake In projects they cannot afford to break [Chorus] Congressional oversight distorts the mission Multi-year programs need political permission Classified escapes but loses competition Budget cycles break long-term vision Five-thirty-five veto holders in position Strategic coherence meets demolition [Verse 2] Behind closed doors the classified programs hide No oversight means no pressure to improve inside Secret budgets flow without debate or question Quality suffers from this false protection While public programs face the voting gauntlet Private ones grow soft without the challenge Two extremes that both corrupt the goal Neither builds the capability we need to stay whole [Chorus] Congressional oversight distorts the mission Multi-year programs need political permission Classified escapes but loses competition Budget cycles break long-term vision Five-thirty-five veto holders in position Strategic coherence meets demolition [Bridge] Annual budgets versus decade-long plans Short-term politics in long-term hands Every district wants their piece of pie While adversaries plan and multiply The system's built for checks and balance true But strategy needs commitment flowing through Democracy and defense pull apart When oversight becomes a distorting art [Chorus] Congressional oversight distorts the mission Multi-year programs need political permission Classified escapes but loses competition Budget cycles break long-term vision Five-thirty-five veto holders in position Strategic coherence meets demolition [Outro] Large organizations see the trap ahead But political survival must be fed The very system meant to keep us safe Becomes the maze where good strategy chafes
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