[Verse 1] In nineteen forty-eight prosperity spread wide Workers had a voice, unions by their side Middle class was growing, wages climbing high But something changed the story, let me tell you why [Chorus] Intent or mechanism, which one do you see? Class war is the motive, but how does it be? Influence and coalitions, that's the way it works Political alliances, where the power lurks Intent or mechanism, learn to tell apart The why behind the action from the working part [Verse 2] The sixties brought some changes, civil rights took hold But coalitions shifted as the story's told Southern Democrats were leaving, switching to the right New Deal partnerships were fading out of sight [Chorus] Intent or mechanism, which one do you see? Class war is the motive, but how does it be? Influence and coalitions, that's the way it works Political alliances, where the power lurks Intent or mechanism, learn to tell apart The why behind the action from the working part [Bridge] Intent asks "who benefits?" and "what's the goal?" Mechanism shows the "how" that plays the role Lobbying and campaign cash, that's how influence flows Corporate coalitions, that's how power grows [Verse 3] By the seventies the shift was getting clear Business coalitions drawing ever near Republicans gained southern votes they'd never had While working-class alliances went from good to bad [Chorus] Intent or mechanism, which one do you see? Class war is the motive, but how does it be? Influence and coalitions, that's the way it works Political alliances, where the power lurks Intent or mechanism, learn to tell apart The why behind the action from the working part [Outro] When prosperity fell, ask yourself this way Was it planned or just how politics play? Both matter in the story of our nation's ride Intent and mechanism, working side by side
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