Debtors' Prison

It comes in the mail; a curse in disguise,
Promise you a leading role with a script of lies,
You see a nouveau world for sale,
An installment plan like a wishing well.

It takes money to make money but it doesn't take money to spend money.

And it's a crime you just pay someone else's bills and accumulate debt,
They put the bullet in the gun and the credit in the card while you play debtors' roulette.

Now you're theoretically rich and technically poor, Can't afford what you have; can't afford not to buy more,
You're doing time for money; you'll be serving life, And you'll be completely under their thumb when they get you under the knife,
Enough insurance to pay the doctor; not enough to pay the doctor bills,
Go on the cheap with your groceries and ten percent down for thrills,
But if you're willing to swallow fifty cents worth of pride for every dollar you sigh,
It's a twenty eight percent interest rate worth of truth and a zero down same as cash lie.

It's not a crime to be a criminal these days,
As long as you wave your pirate's flag by the book; this crime pays,
And they can play an angel to their conscience by acting like they're doing you a favor,
A good credit report is a dish they can truly savior, Meanwhile the only way up is to dive in deeper, Refinance your troubles; take a lien on your cure; bread and water don't get any cheaper,
And now you're finally so broke you can't even afford to ask why,
You sell your right to own to pursue your need to buy.

And if you feel cheated; well you're right,
You owe it all to the merchants of light,
It takes your money to make their money,
They make you think it's as natural as a bee making honey.