A triptych artwork that depicts themes of chaos, rescue, and debt. The faces of the individuals are obscured for privacy or artistic reasons. It seems to comment on economic issues, with symbols like money and property prominently featured. The image is divided into three panels labeled “CHAOS,” “RESCUE,” and “DEBT.” The background has a dark blue hue with stars.
The dream of owning a house
David had always dreamed of owning a house. He worked hard, saved money, and finally bought a small cottage in the suburbs. He was happy and proud of his achievement. He decorated his home with his favorite things and invited his friends over for a housewarming party.
But then, everything changed. The economy crashed, the banks failed, and the government declared a state of emergency. David lost his job, his savings, and his credit. He couldn’t pay his mortgage, his bills, or his taxes. He received notices of foreclosure, eviction, and seizure. He felt helpless and hopeless. He watched his home and his life fall apart.
He prayed for a miracle. He hoped for a rescue. He waited for a solution. And then, one day, he saw a man on TV. He wore a suit and a tie, and had an American flag on his face. He said he was the president, and he had a plan. He said he would bail out the banks, the corporations, and the homeowners. He said he would stimulate the economy, create jobs, and restore confidence. He said he would save the country, and the people.
David felt a surge of relief and gratitude. He believed the man. He trusted the plan. He accepted the rescue. He signed the papers. He received a check. He paid his debts. He kept his home. He thanked the man. He praised the plan. He celebrated the rescue.
But then, he realized the cost. He learned the terms. He understood the consequences. He had to pay back the money, with interest. He had to follow the rules, with penalties. He had to obey the authority, with loyalty. He had given up his freedom, his rights, and his dignity. He had sold his soul, his future, and his country. He had traded his chaos for debt.
He regretted the rescue. He doubted the plan. He despised the man. He wished he had never seen his face. He wished he had never heard his voice. He wished he had never taken his money. He wished he had never signed his papers. He wished he had never accepted his rescue.
He wished he had never dreamed of owning a house.
I dreamed of a home, a place of my own
Where I could be happy and free
I worked and I saved, I borrowed and paid
Until I got the key
But then came the crash, the markets collapsed
And everything went wrong
I lost my job, my savings, my hope
And soon I faced the gong
I prayed for a savior, a hero, a leader
Who would rescue me from the mess
And then he appeared, with a flag on his face
And a plan to end the stress
He gave me a check, a lifeline, a chance
To pay off my debts and stay
He said he would fix, restore, and rebuild
The country and the way
But then I learned the price, the terms, the trap
That came with his rescue deal
I had to repay, obey, and betray
Everything that was real
I gave up my freedom, my rights, my dignity
And sold my soul, my future, my land
I traded my chaos for debt
And wished I never saw his face
keys:
- From Chaos to Debt: How the Financial System Fails the People
- Money Matters: A Three-Part Story of Turmoil, Relief, and Obligation
- The Dark Side of Capitalism: A Visual Commentary on Economic Inequality and Instability