Rage Against the Machine believes Paul Ryan is the "embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades." In reaction to news that the 42-year-old has been named Mitt Romney's running mate, guitarist Tom Morello has more than a few words to say.
Paul Ryan previously cited Rage Against the Machine as his favorite band, a perplexing choice to Morello.
Tom Morello writes for Rolling Stone
"Ryan claims that he likes Rage's sound, but not the lyrics," the Rage bandmate wrote in an editorial piece for Rolling Stone. "Well, I don't care for Paul Ryan's sound or his lyrics. He can like whatever bands he wants, but his guiding vision of shifting revenue more radically to the one percent is antithetical to the message of Rage."
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Morello continued, "I wonder what Ryan's favorite Rage song is? Is it the one where we condemn the genocide of Native Americans? The one lambasting American imperialism? Our cover of "F--- the Police"? Or is it the one where we call on the people to seize the means of production? So many excellent choices to jam out to at Young Republican meetings!
"I clearly see that Ryan has a whole lotta 'rage' in him: a rage against women, a rage against immigrants, a rage against workers, a rage against gays, a rage against the poor, a rage against the environment," the band's guitarist went on. "Basically the only thing he's not raging against is the privileged elite he's groveling in front of for campaign contributions."
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Attempting to look on the bright side, Tom Morello concluded, "My hope is that maybe Paul Ryan is a mole. Maybe Rage did plant some sensible ideas in this extreme fringe right-wing nut job... That's one possibility. But I'm not betting on it."
Twitter reaction to Rage vs. Paul Ryan
"Tom Morello from Rage against the Machine is now my favorite person," wrote one of the many Twitter users getting a kick out the irony of the politician's taste. "What he said about Paul Ryan=priceless."
Comedian Eli Braden, however, had a different take on Tom Morello's rant. He tweeted Friday, "Tom Morello scolded Paul Ryan for loving Rage Against the Machine. He then climbed back into his Range Rover and drove back to his mansion."
Is no one safe to love and make music freely anymore? Yikes!