John Rich on "Shutting Detroit Down"
Give John Rich an hour, and he will give you the perfect country song. This one's called "Shutting Detroit Down," and it is the boot-in-your-ass, stick-it-to-the-man song of the economic crisis. And watching him sing it with just an acoustic guitar in his hand reminds me of what a talent he is. I didn't go into this thinking good things, though. I was born and raised in the Motor City, so hearing the name of this song stirred up all kinds of biases and preconceived notions. But then when I listened, I changed my mind. Rich is dead on about the bailout. "While they're living it up on Wall Street in that New York City town/Here in the real world they're shutting Detroit down." I have so many jobless, foreclosing friends left in Detroit, I know what he's saying is true. But my favorite lyric is about all those rich big shots crying on TV when Rich sings: "Pardon me if I don't shed a tear/‘Cause they're selling make-believe and we don't buy that here." Are you listening, Wall Street?
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Sandy says:
I agree, John Rich is amazing. He pours his heart & soul into his songs.
TxAgg says:
He is uber-talented as a writer. It warms my heart to know that someone who now has as much money as I’m sure he does, is still thinking of the common folk and putting our plight in song. But that is what never ceases to amaze me about country music. Its a whole different animal. In a good way.
Glenda says:
This is why John Rich is my fav. artist. He isn’t afraid to say, write, or sing what he thinks. (even if it gets him in a jam). He is an extremely talented singer/songwriter. Yes, his last name may be “RICH!”, I’m sure he is. But inside, he has shown, he’s just a common man, doing what he loves to do. And right now that is being the “voice of common americans!” THANK YOU JOHN!!!!
Tristan Swartz says:
I love this song because it really hits to home. I am a 20 year old Farmers son and proud to be a farmer myself. Farmers are not asking to be bailed out, we dont want help, we just want a decent price for our lifes work… feeding America and the world. This song really hits close to home right now because my grand pa died this moring and he really liked this song. John if you ever read this you are always welcome on our farm and I wish you all the sucess in the world. Thank you for thinking of the working man, the family man, and the American Farmer!
Tristan Swartz says:
Also to add… ins’t it a sad fact that farmers like us who feed the world sometimes dont have enough food on our tables. Its just not fair we are doing a service that the world can’t live with out… and we are barely making a living doing it.
judi sharp says:
Wonder why there is so much crime and apathy in this world, wonder why teenagers don’t give a darn, listen to John’s song and you will find the answer!!!!!!!!!!!!
Genette says:
I just heard John Riche’s song Bringing Detroit Down I agreed with the song because so many farmers need help aswell as the world does so my question why did we give millions to a bank who can’t manage it in the first place that showed at first hand when they went and bought a jet to leave not very noble they need to claim respondabilty and find a way to clean up thier own mess instead of crying to us because were all crying too trying to make ends meet on low pay
TxAgg says:
Tristan, I’m glad your grandpa got to hear the song. Just remember that the life we have here may not always be fair, but those who keep on doing the right thing will be rewarded later on and at that point all the unfairness we encountered in our Earthly lives won’t matter. It’s maintaining intergrity through the tough times that matters. God bless you and your Grandpa. I’m sure he’s pround of you.
TxAgg says:
Sorry, I meant “proud”, not “pround.” I wish this darn board gave you edit options!
sarah says:
I was completely hooked when I first heard it. My family is all still back in Detroit and no one believes me when I try to explain how bad it is. My dad was vp of a GM contactor for over 15 years and he lost his job. Now its hard to get a job at McDonalds.
Gigi says:
I just heard Shuttin Detroit Down for the first time. I didn’t know if to cheer or cry. Thanks for an AWESOME song and keep turning out the great music. GOD Bless America, our military and grandma’s! :)
Nycole Ann Novak says:
I LOVE THIS SONG BY JOHN RICH BETTER THEN JOHN RICH ANOTHER YOU
Neil Pedersen says:
If you are tired of bailouts and if your tired of the government not listening. Lets march on Washington, lets make them hear all of us.
March in March, lets March on Washington March 11th.
Everyone that has been laid off, everyone that does not want their tax money, and their childrens tax money being used for a bailout, lets meet in Washington March 11th and lets tell them a resounding “NO MORE!”
Jennifer says:
I am a HUGE John Rich fan. He has an amazing talent for singing and writing, and he is absolutely amazing to look at as well =) This song really hits close to home as my husband works for the auto industry and over the last few years our family has been very much effected by the current economy.
julie says:
God bless John Rich! My dad is a retiree of GM. 36 years of blood, sweat, and tears. It supported our family well. I worry contantly that GM will go under and there goes the pension that my dad worked so hard for all those years. The fat cats on Wall Street keep getting fatter and fatter while the men and women who bust their butts every day are treated like yesterday’s garbage. Pray that the government will see their way to supporting our American car maunfacturers and quit funding the high maintenance lifestyles of corporate Wall Street elitists.
Ernest says:
This song is dead on right about the state of the country. John Rich says more in four minutes than all these foolish politicans can convey from their bully pulpits with unlimited time and our money. Everyone should send this song along to someone who cares about this great country and the people who make it great.
Julie says:
This song says it all. I wish there were other country artists that could write more about hard realities, and not all this poppy, lovey-dovey, meaningless garbage they keep drolling out. Country music, above any other genre in music, has always been about real life. John is keeping country real.
debbie says:
your new song is great.now we need to get to the people that it’s really about
Missy says:
Thank you Thank you for saying the words we all want to say yet don’t have enough voice or power to make anyone listen. With this song being on the radio stations all over the US maybe it will get someone to open their eyes. Where is the bailout for the people who are scraping to get by everyday, the ones who are struggling to put food on the table, and make an honest living? Thank you John… We all thank you for being our voice.
Ken Hamasaka says:
Thank you John Rich: someone has got to say it.
Ken
USC ‘71 mathematics
U.S. Army veteran
school teacher
Timothy says:
Who is this man that wants to shut down an entire city? Doesn’t he know that is impossible for one to do, when it took years for the city to be built and then maintained. He has higher hopes than anybody should have, he should direct his attentions to other pursuits like writing songs that people can listen to.
jeff says:
Detroit has been “shut down” since the riots back in the late 60’s. It’s our own little 3rd world country.
Saxton says:
John’s new song is nothing short of divisive for those who live in the shallow world of blaming someone else. He sings about “New York Town” as if the whole thing is a bad entity. What we need in America is courage to recognize what is right and wrong, especially in our selves. John sings about some who have been and will be greedy ‘up there on the “evil” Wall Street’ while making money from what some call the evil record industry—I don’t. America as a whole is better than John or his song. Nonetheless his song is about blaming others for their greed when I’d bet he’ll cash his checks from this song and won’t give a “boot in the ass” about the negative impact he spreads. In his case it’s “divide and “…CAPITALIZE! Shame on you Mr. Rich and all who buy the blame game while our ship sinks. Instead of working for a solution you wallow in a muddy blame perpetration. It’s a cowards way!
MarkV says:
Can someone help me out with the point of the song? If John is just sympathizing with the negative effects of “shuttin Detroit down” then I get it. However, the lyrics that indicate he is against a bailout of the auto industry have me confused. Regardless of whose fault it is, the American auto industry will fail without governmental help. So, if “shuttin Detroit down” is bad, then shouldn’t something be done about it? Also, I am amused by the people who rail against government bailouts, but then ask for help from the government for themselves. Isn’t that more than a bit inconsistent? By the way, I feel horrible for people that have lost their jobs. If, as John sings, it is un-American to blame others when things don’t go our way, shouldn’t we take that to heart? Anyway, if someone knows what the John Rich economic recovery plan is, I would be curious to hear it.
marie says:
MarkV:
In the song he says “And D.C.’s bailing out them BANKERS…”
He’s not saying he’s against the bailout of the auto industry. He’s against giving handouts to those banking CEOs who just go and give themselves million-dollar bonuses using OUR TAX MONEY after they’ve run their company into the ground. Those are two totally different senarios.
And since John is a republican, he’s likely against big spending by the government. But I think he acknowledges in the song that the auto industry needs the help because so many Americans are dependent on it.
Saxton:
It IS about blaming the bankers!! How can anyone not blame them for their shameless greed after all the bad business they have done? They should be fired or investigated for crimes, not given bonuses using our tax money.
And so what if John makes money off this song. It’s because people identify with the song and embrace what he’s saying. A lot of people wish they could say it too, but they don’t have the platform to do it. John is saying it for them. He’s being the voice of A LOT of Americans. He’s not stealing their money! If people buy his music because they want to, there’s nothing wrong with that. He is on the people’s side. Whatever else you want to say about him, he is definitely sincere about this. The best way he can help is by saying what we all WISH we could say! At least he has a chance of being heard.
Bob Fairlane says:
I posted this to Western Voices World News. I hope they give you some coverage! Great song!
Myra says:
Great Song. Thank you for writing about what is on the minds of average americans! You don’t hear about farmers getting ‘bailed out’ even though we are the ones that feed this country. Farmers know how to make do with out unlike the wall streetpeople, bankers, politicians,etc. You are welcomed on our farm anytime!
Dave says:
This is my favorite song. I think we should all go to D.C. or where ever those polititions meet AND BLAST THIS SONG. Mabey they might reilize that they’re idiots.
jessica schaldenbrand says:
LOVE LOVE THE SONG! My father has a powerboat company near Detroit MI -gives me chills every time!!!!!!!!
DJ Burn says:
This man knows whats going on with the world and our nec of the woods which is refreshing because usually Detroit is being made a mockery of because of the clowns running our city. Even though i dj rap i appreciate all kinds of music and I just wanted to say than you Mr. Rich maybe now people will start to see our plight.
Dylan says:
John Rich sais EXACTLY what the American people need. This is a PERFECT of what country music is all about. Keep it up John.
Alyssa says:
Here’s the routine in Washington: listen to the bankers complain, make time to talk to auto companies, dish out multi billion $ bailout packages, rinse and repeat. We need more people like John Rich, and not in just Country music. Darn it all, our leaders NEED to hear this song!
Trey says:
Anyone who disagrees with this song is more than welcome to move to china,I wont stop you.
Trey says:
Awesome song Mr. Rich.Merle Haggard once sang only me and crippled solders give a damn.I used to feel this way myself til this song came out.Glad to see there are people out there who care about this country, and remember folks buy AMERICAN dont buy the jap car buy the American car dont the pants from india buy the American pants. Ya’ll get the concept, it’s one we can all live with.
p.s.
Merle Haggard is a fine American and so is John Rich.
rebecca whitley says:
Hi John, I saw you on Hannity and you blew me away. All i can say is AMEN. When are these people going to wake up. In his third year he will come out and save the world. (election year is right around the corner) Thanks, Rebecca
Ag Guy says:
I think Mr. Rich’s overall point is good, in that there needs to be awareness of what is going on. However, I do have an issue with his lyric “….DC is bailing out them bankers as the farmer auctions ground….” Mr. Rich is using the term “banker” much too loosely.
I am a banker–a banker in a small community that thrives from agriculture. The majority, like 95% of banks in this country did not and will not receive bailout money. Why? 1) because they are well-capitalized to the point they are stil lending money to those who apply, and those applications have enough merit to warrant borrowing money. 2) their corporate structure simply doesn’t make them eligible to receive bailout funds.
In my part of the country, farmers are coming from the past 2 to 3 years of, for once in decades, making money and receiving their fair share. These have been the most profitable years in history. Banks in the small communities are committed to helping them with their financing. There may be farmers “auctioning ground” in some cases, but it is not while banks are receiving bailout money. It is because of poor management or bad luck. Why would any other business go broke in good years? Because of poor management or bad luck.
Mr. Rich needs to clarify that he is referring to investment “banks”, which are not FDIC insured banks that take deposits and make loans. They are “banks” of managed investments that are not regulated like they should be. Fact is, I as a banker could not make a subprime loan even if I wanted to, because of the STRICT regulations placed upon me. If I make such a loan or exhibit greed in some other way– I go to jail. Simple as that. That is how it should be for all!
Mr. Rich, I hope you take the initiative to clarify what you are saying and don’t give a bad name to those bankers who are honest and in business to help hard working Americans!
Ag Guy says:
By the way, I have been on both sides. I was young in the 1980’s farm crisis, but one memory of it I still have was my mom telling me there might not be any Christmas gifts back in 1985 because of the tough times. They managed to get us kids everything we asked for, however! The one post above is right, farmers no how to make due better than anyone else!
Mel says:
Nope, I’m confused. He wants two different things.
Pick one.
Against government handouts:
— everyone’s the same
– work hard
– never pass blame
– don’t rescue “big shots”
Pro government handouts:
– Detroit autoworkers need money
– Farmers need money
Sam says:
Wow, AgGuy, I guess I have never really stopped to think about your point that apparently bankers in actual banks are not to blame for this financial crisis. You hear the term banker and one just think’s it applies to all! Good to know there are still some eithical people out there that aren’t driven by greed. Thanks for clarifying that, and I hope that people do realize this fact. Kind of makes me think twice about some of Mr. Rich’s points in the song!!
Greg says:
I like the folksy attitude but the message is wrong. Detroit has allowed itself to be polluted by union greed. Is it really fair to ask the $50 Toyota workers in Kentucky to subsidize the $80 workers in Detroit?
Senator Jim Bunning(KY), who is quite a jerk by the way, was dead right when he rejected this idea. The people of Detroit responded by disinviting him to a former Pro Baseball player event. That’s sending a terrible message of entitlement to the kids.
The people of Detroit are deceived. Rid your city of the unions, keep working hard, live through the good and bad times, but don’t expect the rest of the country
God bless South Carolina, who has the 2nd highest unemployment rate right now, for standing firm against Washington interference. Michigan could learn some lessons by looking South.
Jimmy says:
Shutting down Detroit is just hitting on the edge of what is wrong with this country. There is so much corruption in the House and Senate, these people we elected have failed to govern and like Sen Christopher Dodd and Sen Barney Franks, they should resign be indicted and thrown in jail. They gave AIG billions of our tax dollars. The Republicans and Democrats are worthless, We should vote both sides out and put in independents, with no more than four year terms. Shutting down detroit is only the beginning of our troubles, Russia and China want a global currency and no longer want the american dollar to represent their assests, who can blame them after what we have caused around the world. The world wide financial turmoil can be traced right here in the good ole USA and we’re about to see some changes that will make Americans think twice about putting in corrupt people to run the world’s money.
Carol says:
The song itself is good, but when you watch the video, which I just did for the first time, you will feel like crying, because you know this kind of thing is going on somewhere everyday. I don’t care what your Politics are, if you work hard your whole life, never turned to the Gov. for help, then get thrown under the bus, it is wrong. DC is doing what they know how to do. Bailing out people with money they have not earned, and using are tax dollars to do it.
It is no different than giving Welfare to people who have lived their lives irresponsibly.
Rusirius says:
This is the worst song I’ve heard in a long time. I mean no disrespect to anyone on the board, but the last thing we need is another artist putting their sophmoric political views in their music.
john says:
jimmy your right on the money.
They want a bailout i think we should refuse to give to them.
tax revolt 09………..
Jon says:
Shut down Detroit…the UNIONS have made the big three non-competitive firms.
You skill-less POS, get a real education and join the real world where 80K jobs are not a “right” from some contract ….they are a hard earned privilege.
don says:
jon-so you are better than other people because you have a piece of paper from some college. that is good for you but everyone should get an honest wage for working everyday. you a**holes don’t understand how hard it is on our bodies to work in a factory everyday. i don’t understand how people can be mad at a worker who makes $54k a yr. and not the ceo who made 500 million. one man makes as much as 10,000 union workers. and not doing a good job gets him a bonus of 13 million. so jon you are a selfish loser that is jelous instead of wanting everyone to be happy. jon you can kiss my hard working, broke down, scared of losing my job, union a**.
Tom says:
That was so great on the ACM’s. Thank you!
Bob Wire says:
Bruce Springsteen has been writing songs about hard-luck, hard-working blue collar people his entire career. He does it better and smarter, and gives his listeners credit for having intelligence, not just writing some simplistic, populist crap for the lowest common denominator.
But I know I’m pissing in the wind here. There will always be a market for opportunists like Toby Keith and Hank Jr. to write reactionary songs after a national disaster. Welcome to the club, Mr. Rich. Enjoy your profits.
Reid Carroll says:
This may be the perfect country song. In our country’s current finincial situation this song says it all.
paige says:
I love this song because im from michigan and im seeing the affects of the bail-outs and its hard for everyone! It show truly the pain that we all are faceing!!!
Beverly says:
I just heard the song Shutting Detroit Down for the first time the othert day. WHAT A GREAT SONG!!!!! It speaks for what most of us are going through in this country. Whether we have a job or a home or not, we just want to be able to pay our bills, take care of our families, and have a little dignity. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Donna says:
I just saw the video this past weekend, it brought tears to my eyes as we all know that this is really happening to someone right now somewhere in the world.
I want to say to all those who have continuously bashed the unions for this situation, this is not their fault, they did not create this problem…it is much BIGGER than any union or unions could create. Remember this is happening all over the world not just in North America. Why is it that people have to finger point at everyone else when we are all to blame. We have allowed this to happen ourselves by not supporting our own jobs.
I am not a union worker, never have been, but I certainly am tired of hearing that the blue collar workers are being asked to cut back yet again!! Is it maybe that jealousy has taken over on most of these people who continue to publish false facts about the auto industry. These blue collar auto workers are not the only ones with these benefits, try looking at your Public Sector employees at what they are making and what benefits they receive and wages too.
I think if we all pull together we can come out of this!
Great song by the way ;)
Robin says:
Wow. For some reason people think Unions are responsible for this economic crisis. The real facts are it is Global and it is caused the USA mortgage crisis which made banks tighten the strings for lending money. No money to lend or refusing to lend isn’t a Union issue.
The continued attack on the middle class is outrageous. It seems like the union bashers think the union members should take pay cuts but no one is stating that maybe the over paid politicians and corporate business heads should take a pay cut.They are the people that put the auto crisis here. They were the people asleep behind the wheel. The auto workers make cars. They don’t design or engineer cars. The cuts should start from the top down instead of the bottom up.
Lastly all the Union Haters remember. Unions gave you so many rights through years of fighting. Rights like. Weekends, Social Assistance, Employment Insurance, medicare in Canada the 40 hour work week, overtime, pensions, benefits and I could keep going forever. All these things were fought for through union strikes and lobbying the governments of the day.
Also I keep hearing about the toyota and other auto plants hourly rate. The reason they do as well as they do also is a Union issue. Its the keep the union out pay.
All this negative and Middle class bashing does nothing but drastically widening the gap between the rich and the poor. It is becoming a race to the bottom.
Robin says:
Oh yeah. I like the meaning and message of the song but hate country music. Sorry.
Linda says:
This video was hard to watch. I broke down. I am one of those people who is being swept up with the trash after 30 years in automotive. Thank you John Rich for putting it in the correct light. All of us effected appreciate someone raising the awareness on this epidemic. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Blake says:
I AGREE WITH SONG I OWN A COMPANY IN DETROIT.THE CEO’S OF THE BANKS,AUTO,AND INSURCE COMPANYS ARE DRAGEN US DOWN.CITY LEADERSHIP IS DRAGEN US DOWN .THE GOVERMENT IS NOT WORKING FAST .THEY NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WE NEED HELP.STOP GIVEN MONEY TO BIG COMPANYS WITH OUT SOMEONE KEEPING A EYE ON THEM.THEY ARE STILL OVER PAYING CEO OF THE COMPANYS AND GIVEN THEM BOUNS.WHERE I COME FROM YOU DON’T GET A BOUNS IF THE COMPANYS DOSN’T DO WELL.THEY SHOULD FIRE ALL UPPER MANAGMENT.THIS SONG SPEAKS THE TRUTH.GO JOHN
AgGuy says:
I think Mr. Rich’s overall point is good, in that there needs to be awareness of what is going on. However, I do have an issue with his lyric “….DC is bailing out them bankers as the farmer auctions ground….” Mr. Rich is using the term “banker” much too loosely.
I am a banker–a banker in a small community that thrives from agriculture. The majority, like 95% of banks in this country did not and will not receive bailout money. Why? 1) because they are well-capitalized to the point they are stil lending money to those who apply, and those applications have enough merit to warrant borrowing money. 2) their corporate structure simply doesn’t make them eligible to receive bailout funds.
In my part of the country, farmers are coming from the past 2 to 3 years of, for once in decades, making money and receiving their fair share. These have been the most profitable years in history. Banks in the small communities are committed to helping them with their financing. There may be farmers “auctioning ground” in some cases, but it is not while banks are receiving bailout money. It is because of poor management or bad luck. Why would any other business go broke in good years? Because of poor management or bad luck.
Mr. Rich needs to clarify that he is referring to investment “banks”, which are not FDIC insured banks that take deposits and make loans. They are “banks” of managed investments that are not regulated like they should be. Fact is, I as a banker could not make a subprime loan even if I wanted to, because of the STRICT regulations placed upon me. If I make such a loan or exhibit greed in some other way– I go to jail. Simple as that. That is how it should be for all!
Mr. Rich, I hope you take the initiative to clarify what you are saying and don’t give a bad name to those bankers who are honest and in business to help hard working Americans!
________________________________________________________
I am adding to my post from above.
Just like union people get sick of being blamed, banks, as in the heavily regulated, honest, helping hard-working Americans, did not make a single subprime loan BANKS are also getting blame for something they didn’t do!
Banks regulated by either their state regulator, the FDIC, or the OCC cannot and did not make subprime loans. Wouldn’t even if they could. Regulators constantly watching every move a bank makes prohibits this. Rather it was mortgage BROKERS, or fly by night loan brokers who simply were a middle man milking loan deals for commissions–promoting no-verification, bad credit “OK”, stated income, inflated appraisal loans and charging the borrower 1 to 10 points for commission is who helped the housing crisis be what it is. The word BANK is used TOO LOOSELY! How do I know? I am a Banker, one who has the intestinal fortitude to tell a loan applicant who doesn’t meet the requirements “NO”.
Mommy says:
In the real world ‘they’ are the union bosses along with the rest of them. Funny to have a song about blue collar as well as white collar killing an industry.
June Hitchcock says:
John, I was born during the great depression and I know more about hard times than music or politics but I can say that you have said more in one brief song than all of the economists and politicians on the planet. Our Nation is great because Americans are strong and have always been there to help those in need but right now we feel like “A voice crying in the wilderness.” Thank you.
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Jeannie says:
For those who think a education is the answer. It’s not.
If there is no jobs where do you find them. I think the song is Right on. People are hurting everywhere It’s a domino effect.
Malisa Humphrey says:
I would like to think John Rich for thinking about the average american John you are a wonderful man your song is amazing and the video is excellent I tear up every time i watch it. Thank you for everything.
Melissa says:
John’s song is wonderful and to the point. Living in Michigan it is gut-wrenching for us to turn on the news and hear about this bank or that bank getting restriction-free bailout money and spending it on coporate bonuses while the Big 3, the companies and people who BUILT this country, are left to wither. The only people doing well in Michigan right now are the people hired to clear out foreclosed homes. Yes, the unions are to blame, in part, in dragging down the auto industry. Just as the bankers should be blamed in bringing down Wall Street. Only, the bankers still get buyouts and bonuses while the blue-collar workers get laid off. My grandparents moved to Michigan after getting married because of the opportunities it presented them. Now the only opportunities for Michiganders lie outside of our state. I can’t tell you how many friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc I have seen pack up and move out of state in the past few years. Michigan has a long road of recovery, and no one seems to care. We have an apathetic governor and a federal government willing to let us shrivel up and die. No one stops to think–when the auto industry started to slide, it didn’t affect just auto workers. It has affected every single business in this beautiful state. The Big 3 can’t pay their bills? That means suppliers don’t get paid and lay off their employees too. Auto workers who lost their jobs can’t pay for their insurance, can’t go out to eat, can’t see movies or buy groceries. Every single store and business in Michigan has lost. And no one seems to care enough to help. This song brought me to tears–thank you John Rich for a beautiful and poignant song! God bless America.
Melissa says:
And to add to my previous comment–those same banks who got bailout money are now raising interest rates on loans. It’s not enough to take taxpayer money, they have to suck the life right out of us too. I’ve never over-drawn my credit cards nor made a late payment, and always pay more than the minimum, yet both my cards doubled my interest rates this month. I overdrew my one card by $1.27 this month because of the higher rates and incurred a lovely $35 fine. How fair is that? It’s not enough that my tax dollars are bailing them out, they are now sucking the life right out of me. Wall Street needs to move to Main Street and step off their high horses. They’re no better than the rest of us.
AgGuy says:
Ok Melissa,
First of all, TRUE banks do not and cannot receive bailout money, and 99% of the community banks in this country do not use taxpayer money to line their own pockets. AIG is not a bank. Lehman Brothers is not a bank. They are investment houses that people refer to as banks. Do you deposit your pay check at AIG? Do you use a debit card or get a car loan from AIG or Lehman brothers? Are either of these two examples insured by FDIC, which I will remind everyone because of which NO ONE has LOST A PENNY of their deposits on banks that have failed.
You are using the word BANKER too loosely. Go to the American Banker’s Association Website and read some fact sheets. Instead of BANKER, you should be using the word “Commission hungry investment brokers” or “unscrupulous mortgage brokers” or “unregulated investment houses” When are people going to realize that their local bank and bankers in general DID NOT create this mess. Read my posts above for pete’s sake!!! Yes we have major prolbems in this country, but blame the right people! Fact is your community bank is who will help rebuild the economy. As I have posted twice above, I am a banker at a small community bank. I am still loaning money to creditworthy people. If one is not creditworthy, they are told NO, and that is how it should be. Mortgage companies making loans that the borrower could not afford in the first place is what got us into this mess. BANKERS do not make these types of loans due to having the guts to say no, first off, and secondly, because of STRICT regulatory supervision.
This is the whole issue I have with this song. People need to get a clue as to what the real culprit is!!!!!!!! Get informed! Start with reading my posts above and going to ABA website to get facts, not Good Morning America.
AgGuy says:
By the way, as it pertains to your high interest rates on credit cards…those are dictated by credit card companies. Banks offer them, but ultimately it’s Visa or Master Card and the like. Have you had late payments? Are your cards maxed out? Do you have a relatively high amount of credit card debt? These may be things driving your interest rate. For the first time in history, credit card companies are taking the risk of the borrower into account. I say borrower because a credit card is nothing more than an unsecured revolving line of credit. The credit card companies have taken tremendous hits in terms of losses associated with credit cards that had to be charged off because people went out and over spent and used their plastic money to buy whatever it was they were buying. It was easy credit or loan. With the economy the way it is, credit card companies are slowly going toward treating the extension of credit like they should have in the first place….that is only approving an amount that a person can afford based on their income, relative amount of other debt obligations, credit history such as late payments, etc. Sound familiar to any of you who have applied at a bank for a home loan?? Examine yourself before criticizing the interest rate. These companies are going to start pricing these loans/credit cards based on the risk of the borrower’s situation. The more the risk, the higher the price/interest rate for the use of the money they are providing you on an unsecured basis. They can’t repo your house or car, it is no different than borrowing $10,000 from your neighbor and promising them you will pay them back at some point in the future with little recourse for them. Hope this helps clarify your concerns. Greed has less to do with that than you accuse these people of having!!! Believe it!
Melissa says:
Hey AgGuy–
Chase and Capital One reps, the credit card companies I have, admitted to me on the phone their companies received bailout money. Perhaps you need to get your information straight before YOU criticize others. I have excellent credit, have never paid late or missed a payment, yet these companies can go out and raise their rates because of “current market conditions.” Well guess what? Based on current market conditions I can and will apply for and transfer my balances to a new company that doesn’t mistreat customers.
I don’t have a problem with small community bankers. I love my small town community bankers because they treat people fairly and with respect. But the people in the big banks that drive Wall Street are hurting those of us on Main Street. You can’t take offense at anyone using the term banker, you need to remove that chip from your shoulder. I’m an insurance agent and I’ve had to learn to laugh off the insurance agent jokes and jabs, the “you’re just out to sell me something” stigma that comes with this position. That’s a lesson YOU need to learn yet.
Melissa says:
PS AgGuy–
Dateline did a special on the banks like Chase who received bailout money and then turned around and raised interest rates. It’s documented. So check your facts.
Bob says:
I have been reading some of these comments, but it is all an good but it takes every body to stand up for their rights not just a hand full. It is the people who are going to make a differents, and we need more to get their head out of our Governments A, until then the Government is going to walk all over the Americans knowing that we are all talk and no action. John Rich and Merle Haggard have said it right about America. If you don’t remember Merle Haggard,s song, it is America First, now if we can get all Americans as active as these two, then the Government would have some thing to be afraid of, THEIR JOBS, and that go’s for corporations to,leave and we don’t buy your products. Take these two songs to heart because you mite not have this freedom any more.
Vicki says:
This song was an amazing. It really touches close to home and my heart. My husband and I just lost our jobs several months ago, is the government going to give us bail out money?
pam says:
who are the actors in this song one looks like jeffrey steele
Jake says:
I commission into the army as a second lieutenant in two months. I drive an 08 Dodge Ram and I’m going to buy my newly wed wife an 09 Dodge Avenger. I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life - the last 9 years five miles north of the Detroit border (Warren. My stepdad works for Chrysler too. I’m 22 years old and, all that said, this song hits INCREDIBLY close to home. I’m desparately trying to buy one of those “Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign” bumpber sticker MAGNETS for my truck. Ever since my buddies commissioned last weekend, making me think about my own commissioning, and my stepdad was temporarily laid off due to the Fiat-Chrysler merge this song has meant more and more to me.
judy says:
My husband worked in the same factory for 36 years. Now he is 54 years old. His retirement account dropped by 1/3 in the last year. If he had been downsized or laid off, he would have qualified for 2 years of severance. Because they closed his factory, he got 13 weeks of severance and gets unemployment instead. We are facing foreclosure and the banks get billions. Big deal. The recovery might help the younger workers - they have plenty of time to recover before retirement - we don’t have that luxury.
My husband cried when he saw this video
Deba says:
My dad worked for Pontiac Motors for 32 years. He passed away 7 years ago. I know he is in heaven just shaking his head in disbelief of what has happen to the auto industry. My heart goes out to all those still in Michigan. It is getting harder and harder every day for them.
funky says:
I am from NYC town and it’s the real world here too, Mr Rich. I am in complete sympathy with all the hardworking people in Detroit and elsewhere that due to the wretched decisions of the elite.But we, here in NYC also have thousands out of work here and face the same exact struggles
Jen says:
To hear this song is one thing, but to see it becoming your life is another.
As I showed my husband the video, his heart was as heavy as mine. He has had to watch this very action over and over in resent months.
We live in the Detroit area, and my husband works for Chrysler. He is at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, in the axel loop of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Production Line. He is the Laborer, that very one you see on the line. Not the fancy overpaid guys. The one that works in 110 degrees of hell all summer and the nasty uncycled air in the winter!
The hardest of the most recent hits was the call we got last Friday…
He has been laid off for the pastfew monthes. He was expecting to return to work on May 11, 2009. The call was one to state he was indefinately laid off. What the heck is that????
I was laid off a year and a half ago, I have three degrees, and just accepted a job that pays minimum wage at a grocery store just to keep us eating.
So, as many that are not directly employed by the Big Three; Ford, Chrysler and GM ARE the roots of this country. As the Government keeps bailing out all of these financial instutions with free unattached money, the Auto Industry is being micromanaged by every politician that wants an ego boost!
Gotta love America, Home of the Freeloaders, Land of Brave who keep fighting to stay afloat.
~Jen
But that is just my two cents(can I borrow them, because I can’t afford my own right now)!
J says:
I heard this song and read and thought over the lyrics, and I must say that this is an appauling example from a lyrical, musical, and real life standpoint. Furthermore, I have been a writer pretty much my whole life, and I have done journalism for nearly four years, and since the “corporate jet,” thing was brought up in the song, I feel the need to speak out against a complete and total misunderstanding that was presented by the media.
I have friends who does Safety related work for GM as distributors, and these men had to fly on those jets for safety and security reasons. It wasn’t about flaunting anything while asking for bail out money. Their safety would have been at risk if they flew commericial. John Rich needs to do a lot more research than just watching the nightly news, and captializing on Detroits economic state, in order for him to make a fast buck and promote his career, of which I never heard of this clown until this appauling song was made.
The real truth is that many and I mean many politicians fly on private jets, and get many corporate dollars handed to them. I mean Nancy Pelosi flys on one of the Air Force on Jets, and she as well her “save the world” political friends get first class treatment all the way.
The point is that this is not about being constructive, or helping out Detroit during tough economic times, but instead this is about a “singer’s” way of trying to captalize and gain a buck on peoples suffering and misfortunes, and he’s manipulating peoples emotions to try and make it seem as though he cares. I’ve worked with many artists who know what they’re doing, who have consistently produced good work, and who really want to make a difference in music.
This on the other hand is a conversation starting way for this uneducated moron to get hits to his website, and to revive a career that should have never been started in the first place.
AJ says:
Mr. Rich is no better than the rest of them, cashing in a song that everyone will listen to and making big bucks. If he truly worried about shutting Detroit Down them maybe she should be giving the profits of the song to people who have lost their jobs and their families. I’m not saying the ones that get welfare; I’m talking about the ones on unemployment that can’t get any other help. I’m sure alot of people in this world can’t live on the $362.00 a week.
Ryan says:
The song is nothing shy of ignorant and hipocritical. First of all, no one would shut down any industry like that unless they absolutely had to. The “bonus pay” they get is a severence fee, which means that since contract was breached the boss under the boss gets what is contractually obligated to him. This song is about John Rich trying to make money. Either he does not understand what he is writing about or he is a liar. The middle class has always been paid low for hard work, I agree, but that was their personal choice to take that route in life. I definetely see the correlation in this song and save a horse, ride a cowboy. The middle class typically works, then plays(parties), whereas the upper class tends to constantly work. The auto industry crashing is just something that happened and more education=more stable future. Everyone is hurting and I dont see John Rich helping factory workers.
Joanne says:
All of American Must Watch This.
I do not necessarily like county music, but this one is the exception to all the rules!
The Truth is The Truth! If I keep hearing more music like this I might just love country music!!!
Joanne says:
To Ryan,
Really you think this is not true? Try telling that to my husband and all his friends. We knew a lady who shot herself in the chest because of her home. Wall Street Fat Cats, yep all about them. Oh by the way, my husband did not get a severence fee and neither did any of his friends. You need to Wake UP!
Aaron says:
this song is so false its not even funnny…detroit is shut down because their cars sucked and they failed to compete with foreign auto makers, its their OWN fault…and barely anyone is “living it up on wall street”, you idiot
Nancy Carey Johnson says:
As a singer/songwriter I’m impressed with the quality and crafting of this song -Great vocals, melody & chord structure. As an extraordinarily OUTRAGED U.S. citizen, a TRUER WORD (or the lyrics) was never spoke! Hats off to John Rich and John Anderson for so eloquently giving voice to the many who’s voices are never heard over the self-absorbed, holier-than-thou, I-want-it-all-for me, voices in the halls of Washington and big business . I LOVE the USA but I’m very ashamed of (and at the risk of being redundant) outraged over the way so many of it’s citizens and inhabitants are behaving - Nancy
PS - Yes I did notice that Kris played “Big John”
J says:
To avoid continuing this senseless debate, let’s point out the simple facts. First, other than creating a bad song, what really has John Rich done for the City of Detroit? Has he helped the homeless, or gone on to be active in the regrowth, and promotion of Detroit? Or has he helped out the kids in Detroit who won’t graduate from High School, because they dropped out and gave up on life, because of the poverty, and hard times? Or does he work with Detroit artists like I do, who want to bring back pride to our city, and who do charity events? I could ask more questions, and still the same answer would be NO!! The big issue is that he captalized on the suffering of many, and actually did more harm than good, by giving yet more image problems for Detroit. I mean there are fat cats in many states, but apparently ours are the worst? This is a horribly written, and selfish song that proves the true character of this man, and how low he will go and stoop to get a buck. This is not a creative or even worth-while song, it’s plainly poor lyrical content, written for Selfish reasons that show what kind of a low-life and scum bag this man is. He doesn’t care about Detroit, and he never will, so instead of arguing back and forth, I think he should be ignored till he fades away, and stops making music. But since some people are ignorant enough to call this “good music,” his career and success will continue. What a true shame for all of us, as this self-centered and self-absorbed “Song writer,” will probably make another similiar trashy song, all for his own greed, and wealth. Thanks for nothing Mr. Rich $$$.