The Federal Reserve System is the cause of all economic panics and depressions. It is the sole source of inflation in the economy, and inflation (the expansion of the money supply and resulting higher prices) inevitably leads to contraction and the resulting bust or crash.

When the Fed creates (“prints”) money, the new money is distributed to their “favorites” — the government and government contractors. This redistributes wealth from the working class to the political class.

When efemjay was in his early twenties (1999-2003), he ran a prosperous business that imploded, in part due to the bursting of the Internet bubble. This line could also refer to anyone who was experiencing hard economic times in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. During the boom phase of the business cycle, money and credit is widely available, and this gives consumers and entrepreneurs “false signals” that they’re doing well. This prompts them to buy and invest when they should be saving.

Stores in the mall typically close at 9pm. This version of the hook is in contrast to the “2 o'clock” (2am) bar-closing time cited in the other version of the hook.

Keynesian economics promotes consumption over investment. Low interest rates disincentivize saving and investment and encourage high time preference.

The global fiat-money financial system requires individuals and governments indebting themselves to central banks controlled by “private” bankers.

The pressures of modern life are overwhelming, but mindless consumerism offers an escape.

The crossface crippler was the finishing move of WWE wrestler Chris Benoit. Benoit, of course, killed his wife and child and then himself.

Benoit had mental problems. Here, efemjay echos a similar despair, brought on by financial troubles, as well as an insane world.