Don't trust them as far as you can throw them
'Cause as strong as you may be you won't be able to move them an inch
But you don't have to believe me go ahead and be the corporate stooge
that they trained you to be and...
THEN YOU'LL SEE WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR LOYALTY!

They call it "down sizing" but that's just a backhanded saying
For the phrase:
"We're gonna screw you, till you're down on your knees...
And you better not try to complain 'cause there's another
Hundred stiffs like you, all who'd plead...I'D KISS YOUR ASS JUST FOR A CHANCE
TO BE A WHORE TO YOUR COMPANY!!!"

You see it every day, everywhere, on the t.v. screen
Each time a different face or family, but it's always the same
"We worked here all our lives, gave them everything we had and now
they say they're gonna move the factory, to a third world country where
the labor is cheap."

But the fact my friend that you don't see
Is the money you spend on the goods they make
Supports their methods of abuse on the third world scene
And in your very own backyard, yes your country

So I won't be the consumer that they want me to be
Because the goods I own, aren't going to set me free
So I won't buy that crap, they want to sell me
Because the goods I own, won't set anyone free

Overall Meaning

The Consumer's Song by Anti-Flag is a powerful critique of consumer society, corporate greed, and the exploitation of the working class. The song delves into the facade of freedom and the deception that the world promotes through consumerism. The song cautions listeners against becoming corporate stooges and encourages them to become autonomous in their decision making. The lyrics warn that the consumer society is built on the exploitation of the third world and the working class. Through the callous dismissal of the people and the down-sizing of corporations, the song stresses the holiness of community and the power of collective organization.

The song begins with the singer advising his listeners not to trust corporations as far as they can throw them. He argues that as strong as we may be, we cannot move them even an inch. The singer urges listeners not to fall into the trap of being a corporate stooge and promoting a self-dominating consumer society by highlighting the grim realities of what one may get for their loyalty. The second verse describes the concept of down-sizing as a deceptive way to screw the working class until they are on their knees. The song warns people against the act of complaining because in the eyes of corporations, there are always hundreds of other fools out there who are willing to accept their systems of abuse.

In conclusion, The Consumer's Song offers an insightful critique of modern society and how we engage with institutions like corporations, which value profit over people. The song urges people to take note of the greed in our world and encourages them to choose wisely while making a purchasing decision.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't trust them as far as you can throw them
Even if you're strong, you won't be able to move them an inch, so don't trust them blindly.

But you don't have to believe me go ahead and be the corporate stooge
You don't have to believe me, go ahead and be the company's puppet if you want to.

THEN YOU'LL SEE WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR LOYALTY!
However, if you are blindly loyal, you will see what you get in return.

They call it "down sizing" but that's just a backhanded saying
When they say "downsizing," it's just a euphemism for them screwing you over.

"We're gonna screw you, till you're down on your knees...
They're saying they will oppress you until you’re helpless.

And you better not try to complain 'cause there's another Hundred stiffs like you, all who'd plead...I'D KISS YOUR ASS JUST FOR A CHANCE TO BE A WHORE TO YOUR COMPANY!!!"
They are threatening you to silence because there is always someone else who would eagerly replace you.

You see it every day, everywhere, on the t.v. screen
The media shows us how people lose their jobs all the time.

Each time a different face or family, but it's always the same
There is always some family getting screwed by the corporate power, but it's the same system that they follow.

"We worked here all our lives, gave them everything we had and now they say they're gonna move the factory, to a third world country where the labor is cheap."
People who dedicated their entire lives to a company are being laid off because the company is going to outsource the work to other countries where workers will work for much less money.

But the fact my friend that you don't see Is the money you spend on the goods they make Supports their methods of abuse on the third world scene And in your very own backyard, yes your country
What you may not realize is that by buying their products, you're supporting their exploitation of workers not only in other countries but also in our own.

So I won't be the consumer that they want me to be
Therefore, I won't buy their products just as they expect us to because this is the only way to fight against their exploitation of labor.

Because the goods I own, aren't going to set me free
Having more material possessions is not going to bring true freedom in life.

So I won't buy that crap, they want to sell me Because the goods I own, won't set anyone free
Thus, I won't get fooled by their marketing tactics or purchase anything as it's not gonna bring freedom to anyone.

Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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