Brett in 2004: "[It] is basically a comment on the irony of Bush's support from the working class, being that his policies really benefit the rich and really punish the working poor. His strongest base seems to be support from the working poor, yet they're the ones getting shipped off to die for an injust war."
The phrase "Let them eat war" is a play on "Let them eat cake"; a phrase supposedly spoken by Marie Antoinette upon learning that the peasants had no bread. Since brioche was enriched with butter and eggs, as opposed to ordinary bread, the quote supposedly would reflect the princess's obliviousness as to the condition of the people.
Rapper Sage Francis lended the rapping vocals during the breakdown of the song. He recorded the part in Brett's house.[1]
Several people have handled the Francis part when the band has played the song live. The Bad Religion Page member Special Ed has done the part several times (once in a full cenataur costume) and Emily Davis handled the duties twice in 2019.
| 01/14 | added Sage Francis - By Stinger66 |
| 08/02 | Added reference to Marie Antoinette - By Marty |