THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS REVISITED-A FRACTURED FAIRY TALE

 There was a President, who newly elected, took a long journey from Chicago to Washington, D.C. He called his fellow Americans to tune in to his State of the Union speech that he might speak of all the bounty with which they had been blessed, but had squandered during the previous administration, through lack of government regulation and programs.

 One citizen was a white collar owner of a small family business, another was a blue collar worker trying to meet his family's needs, and yet another, though poor, was healthy and blessed with the opportunity to make something of his life.

 The small businessman invested wisely, worked diligently and became the owner of a Fortune 500 company. 

 The blue-collar worker scrimped and saved and worked overtime in order to start his own business. 

 The other man frittered away his opportunity and decided that society was mistreating him, the rich were taking advantage of him and government owed him a living, so he sat around and did nothing-except when he wanted to party, which he always seemed to have time and money to do.

 After many days and several trips to the golf course, the President had a press conference from the Oval Office.

 He chided the man who had become successful in building a large corporation as being greedy and unconcerned for the poor-not giving his fair share to the government.  "I will place you in a higher tax bracket until we bring you to the level of the poor man," said the all-wise, all-caring President.

 Likewise, he scolded the middle class worker who had struggled so long to begin his own little business, for he too had so much more than the poor man and was self-centered according to the President-not giving his fair share to the government, either.  "I will raise your taxes also (though not as high as the wealthy man) until we bring you to the level of the poor man," said the all-wise, all-caring President.

 Turning to the poor man, the compassionate President heard him say, "Life has been unfair to me.  My welfare check doesn't go as far as it used to.  Gas prices from greedy oil companies make it expensive to fill up my Mercedes.  It is hard to make ends meet when big screen TV's and cable bills are so expensive, not to mention the cost of liquor.  I worked for a rich man for a few days and he expected me to be on time and work hard and it was just more than my nervous condition could bear.  If I have to work, a government job would be much better."

 To the man who wasted his days in lethargy and his nights with lotteries, liquor and ladies, the President said, "Life has indeed been unfair to you.  The educational system has failed you.  Greedy corporations have taken advantage of you.  Society owes you, but has neglected you. Even if you had a government job, the wealthy bankers where you deposit your money would take it and stuff their own pockets with profits.  We will take from the rich and the middle class and give it to you, so there may truly be equality in America at last. We will also remember the plight of the poor in oppressed nations around the world and do all we can to destroy the businesses of America so we can become a third-world country also. At the end of the day, it's all about equality." Thus spoke the all-wise, all-caring President as he flawlessly read his teleprompter before the fawning media.

 "For to everyone who has, more will be taken, and he will have little; but from him who produces little, we will give a little more," thus said the all-wise, all-caring President as he departed for another vacation.

 "And put the profitable citizen into prison.  I'm sure he is abusing the system."

 Then across the once-fruited plain, there was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

 (With apologies to Saint Matthew and the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show)