"LESS GUNS AND MORE BUTTER"

Stuart Leiderman <leiderman@mindspring.com> copyright 1986

4/4 rhythm, briskly

D G D
There's a controversy ragin', from-the upper crust on down,
D E A
Shall we let the Trojan A-bombs in? Shall we targetize the town?
D G D
Shall we trust our lives on threats o'war, on overkill and doom?
G D A D
Or throw the think-tank soldiers out and quickly low'r their boom?

D G D
Well, you can let 'em pick your pantry bare and tax away your wealth;
D E A
You can let 'em militarize the moon and pawn your children's health;
D G D
And you can automate your every need and ring your town with missiles,
G D A D
And try to live on Sugar Pops, light beer and Russian thistles.
G D
But they'll never know you disagree... Who wants their Arma-gutter?
D A D
No! 'Better make 'em count your vote for "Less Guns and More Butter!")

Now, the generals have it all planned out -- they'll hide beneath the rocks.
And while the sky is burnin' up, they'll tend synthetic flocks
Of geese, and sheep and who-knows-what to satisfy their palates,
And sleep at night on mattresses of disappearing ballots.
Well, you can let 'em pick your pantry bare, and tax away your wealth; etc.

The factories have it all planned out -- they'll build the bombs or close;
And they'll ultimatum you to death and lead you by the nose,
And pick your brains to give their contracts more bang for the buck;
And once a year they'll send around a gift-wrapped flyin'...fish.
Well, you can let 'em pick your pantry bare, and tax away your wealth; etc.

The unions have it all planned out -- they've offered you a pension,
And they've took the rest to live up there in Zero-G suspension.
Until the surface cools off the billion dead at best;
Then they'll land their ship and march right out to organize the rest.
Well, you can let 'em pick your pantry bare, and tax away your wealth; etc.

The bankers have it all planned out -- read the print above your scrawl.
There's a penalty for "acts of God" or premature withdrawal.
But left intact, your balance grows, and the chance is multiplied
That your NOW account buys guns and warheads for the other side.
Well, you can let 'em pick your pantry bare, and tax away your wealth; etc.

The diplomats have it all planned out -- they'll hold another meeting.
But they'll wat'r down their politics so no one takes a beating.
And they'll never recognize the risks of goin' with the flow,
'Cause they're more concerned to be the first to say, "I told you so."
Well, you can let 'em pick your pantry bare and tax away your wealth; etc.