Ballads have traditionally NOT been about politics... they've been murder ballads, natural disaster ballads, lost love ballads, etc.. The whole concept of folk music being political may be true from the 40's on, when "protest" songs were the primary form of writing. I've heard bluegrass fans complain that they don't want to sit around listening to folksingers constantly complaining about their situation and their country. Neither do I. Folk music is a reflection of all aspects of everyday life... politics being only a small part.

Jerry