Cost of Living

If this is the best place to live
Then why are we all starving
Don't come to the silicon pit
With nothing but minimum wage

Idyllic fantasies not to be found
It's better on the street then renting
We can't afford to go out at night
But we can't afford a place to stay in

There's tonnes of wealth but no one's giving
How is this the best place to live
I wonder where the waitress has gone
Anywhere is better than this

The artists can't afford to make this
A place that's worth living in
When we're all gone who will serve you
Guess you'll have to do it yourself

I can't afford the cost of living
I can't afford to find a meal
I can't afford to see the sun
I can't afford to leave this place

How can you starve in a valley of plenty
Where fruit can rot on the vine
It's a fool's goldrush to the tenth degree
You'll be sad when we're smiling

If there's one thing this place really needs
It's a thing they call compassion
Drive up the rent and kick us all out
You'll see where you're culture has gone

I could be better off anywhere else
But this has been made my home
Tear down the college for an office park
Who will you really be hurting

We can't afford the cost of living
That shouldn't mean we have to go
We need apartments not million dollar homes
You'll understand before too long

I can't afford the cost of living
I can't afford to find a meal
I can't afford to see the sun
I can't afford to leave this place
I can't afford the cost of living
I can't afford to find a meal
I can't afford to see the sun
I can't afford to leave this place

They don't call this poverty in Oregon
And I hear its warmer too
When the market crashes they'll be turned out
Forced to live like us once more