Elected (Billion Dollar Babies, 1973)

‘Billion Dollar Babies‘, the sixth studio album, was released in 1973. Alice Cooper, still a band, found major success with this album hitting #1 on the album charts in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Bob Ezrin was once again hired to produce the record and was also used for some of the keyboard tracks on the album as well. ‘Billion Dollar Babies’, ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’, and ‘I Love the Dead’ are staples in Cooper’s repertoire and find their way into many shows still today. The supporting tour for the album included effects designed by James Randi, a hired magician, that also played the role of the “Executioner”. Over 13 tons of equipment were used including a wide array of props such as a dentist’s drill, a surgical table, whips, hatchets, baby dolls, mannequins, bubble bath, and other oddities.

‘Elected‘ like many other songs off the album became a hit ultimately reaching #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was meant to be a satirical poke at politicians – with Nixon being the primary target in 1972. Alice admitted at one point that, ‘the President is always a focal point for satire, but Nixon – you couldn’t satirize him enough. Plus the 1972 presidential elections were coming up and I thought, ‘Who’s the most unlikely person you would ever want as President?’. And Alice Cooper was that person!’ Bob Ezrin, loving the song ‘Reflected’ from their first album, “Pretties For You”, suggested they remake, rename, and reinvent the song. Thus, the song ‘Elected’ was born.

Before this post goes any further, you should know that ‘Fridays with Alice’ is apolitical. We will NOT be taking sides or discussing any ideologies in this post, on the site, on the Facebook page, or in the Facebook group. The divisiveness that politics has caused does NOT glorify our Lord and separates us as a body of believers, a nation, and as human beings. Therefore, before we go much further let’s open this discussion in prayer…

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for giving us the freedoms to freely worship, study your Word, and seek your will for our lives. We ask that you would work in the hearts, minds, and souls of your people & those in power to help repair the damage that ideology and past/present officials may have caused or are causing when implementing policies that divide the electorate and go against your will and the will of the people. We trust and know that you are sovereign and just, that your will and ways are far greater than any man or woman’s agenda. We lay the authority, our fears, and our rights into your loving arms and ask that you would continue to guide and strengthen us while commending those that uphold your name. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

This song is so fitting and ironic even today. With a government that seems out of control, often times wanting more and more money to spend (even when there is none) and power to redirect in many different directions (some just, some unjust), it’s fitting to ask questions about the character of our officials and even assert that satirical characters, such as Alice Cooper, could do a better job than those currently in office. However, even though, we may feel frustrated, isolated, angry, helpless, etc. about the things that take place in our respective capitols and chambers of authority, we must know that our comfort does not come from any one man, one woman, or body of government. Our authority, peace, and appointment lies with our Heavenly Father. This post is not about Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, Green Party, or any other political affiliation. It is, instead, about where we, as a body of believers in Jesus Christ, should place our hope, trust, and strength.

Romans 13:1-7 is a comprehensive look at the role of government and what our interactions as believers should be regarding earthly authority. There are multiple articles and depictions of these verses. We urge you to study them and continue to ask the Holy Spirit to intervene if and when you ever have to deal with any body of government or authorities. From our understanding of these verses, it seems we, as believers, should live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions – meaning the state, itself, may not always be in accordance with the Word, but as long as it does not force us to worship other deities, or infringe on our religious liberties, there’s no reason for us to be hostile towards them. We believe these verses can be summed up by stating that we, as the body of Christ, should do our best to work towards a civil society – meaning both church and state work together for the good of all. However, the line should and can be drawn when the government’s laws clearly require us, as individuals, to violate our moral standards as revealed by our Lord. However, revolt and dissent against any such laws should still be handled peacefully.

In 1 Peter 2:13-17, we find Peter telling the people to submit to the civil authorities – the Roman empire under the command of a cruel tyrant, Nero. While Peter had addressed the high priests in Acts 5:29,telling them to ‘obey God rather than humans’, he was not referring to the aspects of daily life or the laws of the land. 1 Peter 2:13 blatantly states that we should submit ourselves to human authority, ‘for the Lord’s sake’. This would ultimately further the cause for His Good News and His people being respected and respectful to others. Persecutions aimed towards us should be for obeying God NOT for breaking moral and civil laws.

In Mark 3:24,Jesus says, ” If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” Stop and think about that for a moment. Before this verse, Christ was being accused of using witchcraft to drive out demons. They accused Him of “being possessed by Satan. That he was using the prince of demons to drive out demons”. Seriously? How does that even work? Yet this same thing is happening on a daily basis. Christians persecuting other Christians for their political beliefs or affiliations. Let us NOT be so quick to judge or assail one another, but instead try to understand each other’s positions and find common ground through our Lord. Stand firm on His truths and know that the Spirit that binds us together is so much more powerful than the issues and evils that want to try to tear us apart. Nothing pleases the enemy more than to see God’s people fighting among each other instead of working together to further His name and glory.

The last verses we will be looking at are 1 Timothy 2:1-2. These verses call us, as the body of Christ, to pray and uplift those in authority. The prayer is that ‘we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and holiness’. Harmony with one another is pleasing to God and gives Him glory. Keep in mind, Paul is urging the people in his day to pray for Nero, a man that was notoriously cruel. Persecution among believers was growing and practicing Christians were not always safe. Christians were killed in retaliation to events that happened under Nero’s rule, namely because of his need for someone to blame for the fire that consumed much of Rome in 64 A.D. Paul wanted Christians to know that God is our ultimate authority, praying for our earthly leaders pleases Him. Paul’s appeal was not that we bow down and serve those authorities, but that we pray for the proper conditions in which government can live in peace with us, as the body of Christ, and our convictions. This often times means we pray in submission to and for those that we don’t agree with or support.

In conclusion, the Lord asks us to do a number of things with regard to government. The most important of these seems to be: 1) We must understand that ultimately God’s purposes are being accomplished even when their is no evidence of His Spirit (John 19:11), 2) He wants us to pray for those that lead us (1 Timothy 2:1-2), 3) We should honor and submit to those in power (Mark 12:17), and 4) All governments will eventually end and our Lord will return to reign over everyone forever. (Revelation 19:11, 15-16). Until He returns, may we all learn to rely on His will and authority over the things we can’t control while doing our best to vote our hearts and minds when we do have a say within the confines of civil law and obedience.