Turn on the TV, 'cause I got nowhere to go
   Seems that there's a little trouble down in Mexico
   A 13-year-old boy robs a store so he can eat
   And they got him doing time while killers walk the streets
  
   A hungry politician is the wolf that's at the door
   Hell-bent on submission and feedin' on the poor
   We could stare into the sun if we would open up our eyes
   But we paint ourselves into a corner colored in white lies
  
   Busted on the rockpile, getting dusted in the heat
   Shackled to the system, and draggin' my feet
  
   CHORUS
   I'm riding on a breakdown
   Another whiteknuckled shakedown
   Feels like I'm livin' on a chain gang
   I'm riding on a breakdown
   A suicidal shakedown
   Feels like I'm on a chain gang
  
   A con man's intuition can wash your sins away
   Send your contribution and he'll save your soul today
   What can he know, has he been through hell and back
   He takes the cash and drives it home in a brand new Cadillac
  
   Spitting at the guard dog, burning in his wicked deal
   Screamin' down the railroad with no one at the wheel
  
   CHORUS
  
   Faith healin' superstition
   Cold-blooded criminal mind
   Getting off on high position
   Hey brother can you spare a dime
   To get me off this slaughter line
  
   CHORUS