Bertolt Brecht on the Dilemma of Unpopular Government

After the uprising on June 17th,

The Secretary of the Writers Union

Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee

Upon which was to be read that the people

Had forfeited the confidence of the government

And could only reclaim it

Through redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier

Still for the government

To dissolve the people

And elect another?

—Bertolt Brecht, “The Solution,” Buckow Elegies No. 9 (S.H. transl).