Judge, 1921-09-17 · page 5 of 36
Judge — September 17, 1921 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "Let's All Go Crazy!" by Ellis Parker Butler This satirical essay mocks idealistic political reform movements of the early 20th century. Butler argues cynically that regardless of which candidate or party voters elect—reform ticket, incumbent administration, or anyone else—taxes will rise and government service will remain poor. The satire targets the naive optimism of reform advocates who believe electing "honest" candidates will fix systemic problems. Butler's anecdote about Henry J. Fliggis's bird bath illustrates the point: good intentions produce unintended negative consequences (Mrs. Claggis's cat eats the birds). The essay suggests that expecting government perfection is equally futile—hence "go crazy and imagine you are in heaven." The humor lies in Butler's blunt admission that politicians seek office for salary ("$5,000 a year"), not public service.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Let’s All Go Crazy! By Exiis Parker Burier Author of “Pigs Is Pigs,” “The Great American Pie Co," he Jack-kntfe Man,” essary to turn every rascal out of the city hall and inaugurate Reform so that there will be no more troubles in the world for anyone forever more. | am quite Is should be thrown out of every city hall in the world every now become mighty difficult for anyone to get me excited about it. I refuse to believe that perfection is possible. I refuse to get red in the face and hot under the collar and otherwise “het” up because the seat of one pair of pants is going to polish the official chair instead of another pair of pants. Even if someone told me a petticoat was going to do the polishing after this, | would not throw a fit in my enthusiasm. As nearly as I have been able to understand local politics the possibilities fall into three lines: 1. If the reform ticket is elected we will have higher taxes. 2. If the present administration is re-elected we will have higher taxes. 3. If nobody is elected we will have higher taxes. 1 don't throw off this dictum loosely; it is the result of years of deep study and tax bills. As far as I have been able to observe results the only important outcome of changes of local administration is. that sometimes the tax bills are printed on white paper and sometimes on blue paper. This may be important but it does not affect my soul-life to any great extent. It does not whoop up my enthusiasm. Even should [ be told that next year my tax bill will be printed on lavender paper with a pink border [ would not die of apoplectic joy. I do wish some candidate would come right out flat-footed and say: “Citizens, conditions are bad but they will probably be worse if I am elected. I have had no experience in governing whatever. Taxes will probably go up and you will get less service for what you are taxed. Frankly, the reason I want to be elected is that the office pays $5,000 a year and [ want the money. Don't look for perfection if I am elected; there is no perfection. If you want perfection go crazy and imagine you are in heaven.” It reminds me of the case of Henry J. Fliggis, of my town. The wife of Henry J. Fliggis has a flower garden and on her birthday he bought her a bird bath to set in the garden. As soon as the bird bath arrived and was set and filled with water the birds came and bathed in it. s the birds came and bathed the cat of Mrs. Claggis, next door, came over to eat the birds. (Continued over page.) ‘ BOUT this time of the year several million earnest voters decide that it is nec- willing that r: time there is an election, but it ha soon z comicbooks.com