cheap truths

a single message printed on a rag
that's all it takes to move some folk to act
no matter what the case or what the fact
they'll simply rally when you wave the flag
you don't expect your cause to fail or sag
but you'd think that some matters deserve tact
instead the message is blunt and compact
although the symbol's just a hanging dag
you have to jump and shout and simply howl
or else you're taken for some kind of knave
worth less than nothing on the open mart
so you avoid the shunning and the scowl
and take your feelings right down to the grave
while many bruises are left on your heart