If Otto von Bismarck were alive today, I believe he would be a dominant force in social media. He would have millions of Twitter followers, would have lots of sexy swimsuit photos of himself in his Instagram account (JK) and would be positively “memeworthy.” People would retweet his tweets, people would talk about him in the office, talk about him in bars, teenage girls would have beefcake posters of him on their walls and in their lockers (again…JK)! We might not all agree on whether to love him or hate him – agree about whether’s he’s fetching in a  Speedo swimsuit or not – or be for or against his political views. What people would likely agree upon is that Otto von Bismarck certainly knew how to turn a phrase!

Former German chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898).

Some Otto von Bismarck quotes: 

All of these quotes are translated from German

The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood.

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.

Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.

Politics is the art of the possible.

Lyricist Tim Rice certainly must’ve found Otto von Bismarck to be quotable, as evidenced by “Art of the Possible” being one of the songs in the 1979 Broadway rock musical Evita – which he co-wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Politics is kind of a big underlying theme with a lot of the song lyrics, which could be “inspiring” for any politician running for office today (I’ll get to more about that in a bit).

I suppose you thought this was an old photo of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward? Maybe their stunt doubles? Nope, this is an old photo of Andrew Lloyd Webber (left) and Tim Rice (right). Both are now owners of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.

I suppose it’s not entirely uncommon for writers/artists to obtain “inspiration” from other writers/artists. Even if it means stealing their material outright! As songwriter Bono wrote in the song “The Fly:”

Every artist is a cannibal – every poet is a thief – all kill their inspiration – and sing about the grief

With that spirit in mind, why don’t we talk about some of the most cannibalistic folks imaginable – (figuratively speaking) – politicians! It’s an election year in the United States, after all! Why should Tim Rice be the only one to “borrow” his inspiration? Politicians can lift quotes from Tim Rice, too (turnabout is fair play)!

I’m not going to get into the weeds about politics specifically…this is NOT a political blog, never will be a political blog and…no, just no! there are plenty of talking heads on TV and on the Internet to discuss politics! Without further ado:

Some Very, Very Political Song Lyrics From Evita

All of the lyrics below can be credited to lyricist and EGOT owner Tim Rice (and a few to Otto von Biscmarck)

One always claims… mistakes were planned…when risk is slight, one takes one’s stand

One has no rules…is not precise…one rarely acts…the same way twice…one spurns…no device…practicing the art…of the possible…

Dice are rolling, the knives are out…would-be presidents are all around…I don’t say they mean harm…but they’d each give an arm to see (me) six feet underground

It’s annoying that we have to fight elections for our cause…the inconvenience…of having to get a majority…if normal matters of persuasion fail to win us applause…there are other ways of establishing authority…we have ways of making you vote for us – or at least for making you abstain

Forgive my intrusion but fine as those sentiments sound…little has changed for (blank) down here on the ground…I hate to sound childish ungrateful I don’t like to moan…but do you not represent anyone’s cause…but your own?

One always picks…the easy fight…one praises fools…one smothers light

This is crazy defeatist talk…why commit political suicide, there’s no risk…there’s no call for any action at all…when you have (blank) on your side

All you have to do is sit and wait…keeping out of everybody’s way…we’ll be handed power on a plate…when the ones who matter have their say…and with chaos installed…you can reluctantly agree to be called

There again we…could be foolish…not to quit while we’re ahead…I can see us many miles away…inactive…sipping cocktails on the terrace…taking breakfast in bed…sleeping easy….doing crosswords…it’s attractive…

Don’t think I don’t think like you I often get those nightmares too they always take some…swallowing…sometimes it’s very difficult to keep momentum if it’s you that you are following…don’t close doors keep an escape clause because we might lose (blank).