Pun infested opiate

They raised their glasses  
to the huddled masses
Cheers-ing them for their magnificent willingness to amass
Under such devious  
and crass mastery by a syllabus
from a class  
they can't even take  
taught by incubus and succubus substitutes  
in the fast lane  
on a crash course  
to untold disasters
 
The class
A glorified puppet show  
On the open stage  
Holding
Pulling
even showing all the strings
 
Handing out falsified freedom certificates  
and passing around fake freedom rings
 
All the while  
these worn down and docile  
patrons of the open range  
Indoctrinated by the Information Age
swearing allegiance  
to leaders who were always sight deficient  
but somehow thought omniscient  
beneath their bifocal lenses so proficient  
in the art of deceit  
but deficient  
in the ways of the masses' best interests  
in these gallery halls  
ringing out through the streets
 
Hanging unfinished paintings  
Gone against the grain
 
With their glasses raised  
they sequestered such praise  
through eyes unphased  
by unwashed brains
 
With their glasses raised  
These heretics so crazed  
unveiled their disguises  
as leaders, priests, and sages  
These misers on the rise
Their numbers and true colors inclining  
through the indecent haze
cheers-ing the unsuspecting slaves  
through analogies shadow dancing in their caves
 
A toast escapes the dwellings of darkness  
and casts its own light  
frightening and haunting,  
unlearned and bright:
 
If Rome's workers and subjects were slaves,  
what of us present day United States?  
 
Rome was divided,  
but we're United.
 
Hushed back to silence.
You've been warned.
One more unapproved outburst  
you'll be scorned  
to a place you won't be mourned.
 
Their glasses lower  
And the show continues,
Just this time a little slower  
for your enjoyment,  
 
After all,  
whom is annointed by whom?