Document (1987) featured some of Stipe's most openly political lyrics, particularly on "Welcome to the Occupation" and "Exhuming McCarthy", which were reactions to the conservative political environment of the 1980s under American President Ronald Reagan.
Document (1987) indeholdt nogle af Stipes mest åbenlyst politiske sangtekster, særligt på "Welcome to the Occupation" og "Exhuming McCarthy", som var reaktioner mod det konservative politiske miljø, der var i USA i 1980'erne under Ronald Reagan.