Shackled Autonomy - radio version

[Intro] [Verse] I never understood why they called tax theft Until I realized the power dynamic’s cleft Government to citizen, we have no real choice Pay or be punished, they silence our voice This relationship, between two valuable entities If a couple, would reek of inequities When one’s in charge, there’s a space ripe to leverage Often not meant to abuse, simply self-advantaged I believe the heart is ultimately deceitful This system hurts us & we’re expected to act gleeful As citizens we can vote, we’re not fully enslaved But at work that we need our rights are often waived Higher-ups live large yet we’re involuntarily discharged At least with crime you get food & a place to dwell But when you’re fired, you’re left in a personal hell No respect or dignity, it’s discrimination they sell [Chorus] Shackled autonomy in corporate hierarchy, I don’t get to live for me, my ideas don’t carry My manager pitter-patters while I toil away My voice fades, my spirit decays day by day Even with my credentials, my input’s tangential If not enough boost to their bottom line, it’s inconsequential Profit’s the conductor, yet also the obstructor Of human rights, in this corporate structure [Verse 2] I hate that we have people who run our lives - bosses They think they’re in charge, so we bear their losses They told us work hard and you’ll succeed I played that game, Got the degree, PhD indeed But even “competitive” pay won’t set you free Their history? They think they’re better than you or me It might be subtle, microaggression, tight management Lack of wrong admission, their ego’s enhancement They’re people like us, yet after their shift They face disrespect, mental health issues, some even narcissists These neck-breathers, brainwashed by the 1 percent Think only they are wise messiahs, heaven-sent They get the say, their team doesn’t, that’s their stance Watch them complain when they’re off, given the chance They say who, what, when, where, why, yet double standard ways Only your work life is subject to rules, they dictate your days [Chorus] Shackled autonomy in corporate hierarchy, I don’t get to live for me, my ideas don’t carry My manager pitter-patters while I toil away My voice fades, my spirit decays day by day Even with my credentials, my input’s tangential If not enough boost to their bottom line, it’s inconsequential Profit’s the conductor, yet also the obstructor Of human rights, in this corporate structure [Bridge] Personal autonomy, our sense of agency, is critical to our psychology Unbeknownst to us we abandoned both our wealth and our health And now that this life has been legislated, getting out is complicated I’m sick and tired of not being able to be me when I do my job Instead, find your passion instead of continuing to sob It’s our right to be treated with respect and dignity It’s time we demand this from corporate facilities And it’s gonna take some serious legislating [Chorus] Shackled autonomy in corporate hierarchy, I don’t get to live for me, my ideas don’t carry My manager pitter-patters while I toil away My voice fades, my spirit decays day by day Even with my credentials, my input’s tangential If not enough boost to their bottom line, it’s inconsequential Profit’s the conductor, yet also the obstructor Of human rights, in this corporate structure