Society Magazine
My Last Employee
MARCUS BALES·SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2016
That's my last employee standing there,
Protesting, wet and cold, and wondering where
His pension went. And how his former pay
Decreased in buying-power, he cannnot say.
Let's stop and watch him standing with his sign,
Queuing in the unemployment line.
He cannot say because the GOP
Has taught him how important to a free
Nation it is to keep his wages low
So I have monthly profits I can show,
Creating rising prices for our stock
By unemployment lines around the block.
I know that look -- as if you'd like to ask
How I can sleep at night with such a task.
I sleep just fine. And better than that guy,
Who worries whether someone such as I
Should care about community, not cash,
Or worker's rights! I’m planning how to slash
Expenses sending more jobs overseas,
Replace the rest with contractors like these
Illegals I have found that I can cheat
With deportation threats. They scarcely eat!
They work their unpaid overtime and bring
Enormous profits -- more than anything
Before. And this guy and his fellows hate
The cheaper workers coming in the gate
Instead of Wall Street, me, my Board, or staff.
You'd cry if money didn't make you laugh.
American workers just don't understand
We take advantage of them with our brand:
The right to work, and don't pay union dues,
They medicate themselves with food and booze.
Drive on, driver. It’s nearly time to meet
The company directors. I repeat,
The Chairman of my Board's known munificence
Is ample warrant that no just pretense
Of yours to get a golden parachute --
You’ll see how I can play him like a flute --
Is likely to be disallowed; I'm sure
You'll like the package offered to secure
Your acquiescence to our acquisition,
And me ascending to the top position.
Drive on! I hope you notice as we go
The leather seats recline -- and watch the glow
Of flowers in the dome light, a rarity
That Dale Chihuly cast in glass for me.
