Karl Marx, who spent his life studying the subject, observed
that history repeats itself, the first time as tragedy, the
second time as farce. This topsy-turvy election year makes
one wonder whether he might have gotten that backwards. We’ve
had farce, that much is certain. What will the next time bring?
— The Prophecies of Jane Jacobs, Nathaniel Rich

We certainly have had unprecedented farce
From the guy in white golf shorts with a big arse.
What will be our best strategy
If history brings us to the brink of tragedy?
We have the vote to save our democracy
From this assault on our fragility.