"Steel was strong, but the truth is cold, He sold out the workers for a bar of gold." This song, which was created by the Thom Hartmann Program, was inspired by Greg Palast's latest article for the Hartmann Report,The Great American Tariff Scam — read it here.   The Great American Tariff Scam Lyrics   [Verse 1]He stood in a mill with his red tie tightTold the boys in hard hats, “I’ll stand and fight”But behind that grin and the photo flashWas a deal with the devil and a payday stash Steel was strong, but the truth is coldHe sold out the workers for a bar of goldLaid off in Gary, gone in DuluthWhile the billionaires laughed in their tailored suits [Chorus]🎶 It’s the Great American Tariff ScamA fist full of promises, a smoke screen shamJobs fall down while the prices climbAnd the ones who get rich are the friends of the crimeHe said “I’m here to help,” then he took what he can—That’s the Great American Tariff Scam 🎶 [Verse 2]Steel rolls rustin’ by the railroad trackWhile Wall Street wolves keep slappin’ our backsThey killed the deal that could save the plantNow the furnaces cool and the wages slant Imports rise with a tariff taxDomestic jobs? Ain’t comin’ backFrom cars to cables, we all pay moreWhile they cheer from behind their private doors [Chorus]🎶 It’s the Great American Tariff ScamWrapped in a flag with a glory camHe blocks the fix and blames the flameSays “I’m the hero!”—but he lit the gameHe’s the arsonist in a fireman’s van—That’s the Great American Tariff Scam 🎶 [Bridge]He said, “I’m here for the working man”But he hands the loot to the richest handsFrom Nippon Steel to the union hallIt’s always the worker that takes the fall [Verse 3]Now the ladle’s dry and the silence loudAs the union boys stand heads unbowedThey know the truth from the spin and smokeFrom every empty promise that the huckster spoke [Final Chorus]🎶 It’s the Great American Tariff ScamWith a hard hat lie and a photo glamThe jobs went south, the truth went coldBut he sold you pride like it’s solid goldSteel don’t bend, but a worker can—In the Great American Tariff Scam 🎶 [Outro – spoken over a slow fade]“Praise me,” he said, “I stopped the fire.”But he was the one with the gasoline and the lighter. Subscribe to The Hartmann Report.