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You've been telling us about how to secure peace, but come…

“You've been telling us about how to secure peace, but come on, now, General-just among us Rotarians and Rotary Anns-'fess up! With your great experience, don't you honest, cross-your-heart, think that perhaps-just maybe-when a country has gone money-mad, like all our labor unions and workmen, with…” quote by Sinclair Lewis
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“You've been telling us about how to secure peace, but come on, now, General-just among us Rotarians and Rotary Anns-'fess up! With your great experience, don't you honest, cross-your-heart, think that perhaps-just maybe-when a country has gone money-mad, like all our labor unions and workmen, with their propaganda to hoist income taxes, so that the thrifty and industrious have to pay for the shiftless ne'er-do-weels, then maybe, to save their lazy souls and get some iron into them, a war might be a good thing? Come on, now, tell your real middle name, Mong General!”

Sinclair Lewis

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker satirically suggests war might be justified when economic policies harm the industrious, exposing hypocrisy in political rhetoric.

In simple terms: War is absurdly proposed as a solution to economic grievances.

Key Takeaway

Question the logic behind war as a fix.

Themes

war economics politics satire hypocrisy

Mood

critical ironic

Type

political satirical

When to use this quote

  • public debates
  • policy analysis
  • historical study
  • media commentary

Key Concepts

Political manipulation social justice class conflict

Questions to Reflect On

  • When do leaders use war to distract from policy failures?
  • What alternatives exist to address economic inequality?
A Different Perspective

War rarely solves underlying economic issues.

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