A folk song about the role that billionaire plutocrats and their tax-exempt foundations play in world politics, NGOs, alternative media and the U.S. left and U.S. antiwar movements.
"My name is George Philanthropist and here's a grant for you
To fund your media project and sponsor your protests, too
I invest heavily in Carlyle, which makes weapons for war
And if you don't disclose that fact, you never will be poor.
(chorus)
"I may be a plutocrat
But I believe in philanthropy
It lowers my tax rate
When I give you my blood money.
(verse 2)
"My name is George Philanthropist and here's a grant for you
To fund your anti-war work and your indymedia, too
I speculate in currency, making billions when I score
And if you don't disclose this fact, I'll give you grants some more. (chorus)
(verse 3)
"My name is George Philanthropist and here's a grant for you
To fund your own dance company and theatre in the streets
I brought human rights to Europe by working with the C.I.A.
And created a free market where my artists are well-paid. (chorus)
(verse 4)
"My name is George Philanthropist and I'm building a world empire
Of NGO grant-hustlers, to put out the rebel fires
My billions from stock investment, I'm using to manage change
And if you call me "Plutocrat," my cops will put you in chains.