Nov. 2, 1920

The pocketbook and certain little things talked loud and noble,
And got in the way; too many readers go by the headlines,
party men will muddle up the facts,
So a good many citizens voted as grandpa always did,
or thought a change for the sake of change
               seemed natural enough.
“It’s raining, lets throw out the weather man,
Kick him out! Kick him out! Kick him out!
              Kick him out! Kick him!”
Prejudice and politics, and the stand-patters came in strong,
and yelled, “Slide back! Now you’re safe, that’s the easy way!”
Then the timid smiled and looked relieved,
“We’ve got enough to eat, to hell with ideals!” ...

                        — Charles Ives