We have a government, that when you desperately need them to throw you a life preserver, is more likely to toss you an anchor. Now, if you're willing and able to buy the life preserver, they might be able to help you out, provided it doesn't inconvenience their corporate puppetmasters.
"Ball and Chain" is a hit song by Social Distortion, a Southern California punk rock band, written by Mike Ness in 1987, featured on their self-titled album, released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy (1998).
In the words of lead singer/writer Mike Ness, "Ball and Chain" is "a hard luck story," a forceful cry, a lament, a plea, a "folk prayer."