[StBernard] Free Home

[Westley Annis]

Westley,
 
I thought you would enjoy this one and would want to share it.
 
TJH






Free Home Metaphor

	I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning seated behind a
group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the
recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what
ensued:
	
	They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard
the young man exclaim, Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he
is healing the sick. The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed,  "Yeah,
and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free
market would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don't
deserve all that money." Another said, "The stupid Republicans want us all
to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be
made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate." At this, I had
had enough.
	
	I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and
approached their table. "Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one
moment?" They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end
of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.
	
	"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money
and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there.
Anyone interested?" They looked at each other in astonishment. "Why would
you do something like that?" asked a young man; "There isn"t anything for
free in this world." They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this
man had just made my point. "I am serious, I will give you my house for
free, no money what so ever. Anyone interested?" In unison, a resounding
"Hell yeah" fills the room.
	
	"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to
who receives this money-free bargain." I noticed an elderly couple was
paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man
shaking his head in apparent disgust. "I tell you what; I will give it to
the one of you most willing to obey my rules." Again, they looked at one
another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman
asked, "What are the rules?" I smiled and said, "I don't know. I have not
yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you." They giggled
amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, "What an old coot. He must
be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man." I smiled and
leaned into the table a bit further. "I am serious, this is a legitimate
offer." They gaped at me for a moment.
	
	"Hell, I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted the
youngest among them. "Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms?" I asked.
The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the
privacy of their table. "Oh, hell yeah! Where do I sign up?" I took a napkin
and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the burden of financial
obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set
forth upon consummation of this transaction." I signed it and handed it to
the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. "Where are the keys
to my new house?" he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us
as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling
them before the excited new homeowner.
	"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by
all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to
adhere to from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one
hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me
without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for
this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with
enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as
mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These
are my terms. Here are your keys." I extended the keys forward, and the
young man looked at me dumb-founded.
	
	"Are you out of your freaking mind? Who would ever agree to those
ridiculous terms?" the young man appeared irritated. "You did when you
signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full
knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the
agreement" was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to
restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of
people. "You can shove that stupid deal up your a**, old man; I want no part
of it" exclaimed the now infuriated young man. 
	"You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your
friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not
intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you
agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave
yourself to. In short, I am your master." At this, the table of celebrating
individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
	
	After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed
my true intent. "What I did to you is what this administration and congress
did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and
then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief
that you can have something you did not earn; that you are entitled to that
which you did not earn; that you willingly allowed someone else to think for
you. Your failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to
escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your
only chance for freedom is if your new master gives it unto you. A freedom
that is given can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom." With
that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man.
"This is the nature of your new health care legislation."
	
	I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and
was surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly
entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you, sir; these
kids don't understand liberty these days." He refused to allow me to pay my
bill as he said, "You earned this one; it is an honor to pick up the tab." I
shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled, and
sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country. 
	Use reason,
	Clifford A Wright
	Feel free to share

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