Fiction- Stories, Myths and Legends. A TALE OF WORSHIP. ( First published on examiner.com, and partially rewritten.)

A long time ago, there lived a King who loved his country.  

The people were, for the most part, very happy. 

However, there was one big problem.  Although the country was united, religion was still a problem.  The King came to realize that to truly unite the citizenry, a single religion must be adopted.  So the King turned to his wisest Adviser and asked what he should do.  The Adviser replied, "Bring in all the most educated, that they will present the best case."

So the King sent for the wisest scholars who would present the best reasons to define God in a way that would unite everyone.  In the end, only three were left, those whose words that the King found the most valid.  The King said " Let us decide now," and turned to the three and said, "Give me a reason to select you, and no other."

In the first case a wizened old man bowed deeply, and said, "It is obvious, the Sun is God.  This orb is the reason we have the most fertility, for when it shines the most, it is when we can plant and harvest the most food.  When the sun shines least, our crops do not grow."

"Ah," the King nodded , "sounds very good, who will dare to disagree."  In that instance the second scholar approached the throne.  "Your highness," he began,  "the Sun is indeed powerful, but it is the Clouds that are truly divine.  Not only can they block sunlight, but they provide us with life giving water to drink.  Our crops need water or they will die."

The King sat and considered this new testimony.  " Very compelling," he said to the second scholar, "perhaps you are correct."

At that moment, the third and final scholar spoke.  "Your highness, they are both wrong.  The earth beneath our feet is truly where we find God.  The soil nurtures the seed that grow our crops and provides us with plants that heal the sick.  Trees from which we build the shelters that protect us from the weather, are provided by the ground in which we walk upon."

The King frowned.  What should he do?  In frustration, he dismissed all but his trusted adviser.  To him he turned and said, "Give me council, what am I to do?"

The adviser thought for a moment and then replied; '' In each case, your majesty, we find a belief that we are are controlled by outside sources.  These sources must be worshiped, or we will be punished.  However, in no case is this true.  We plant crops according to the time of year that in the past has given us the best results.  We do not worry about droughts because we have created reservoirs in case of need.  Our soil is worthless unless we fertilize properly and rotate our crops."

The King was in despair.  "What are the people to believe, how should I rule?"  The adviser looked the King straight in the eye, and with a dignity that is born of confidence replied; "Perhaps they should believe in themselves.  For our ability to use and understand the natural resources around us, to the benefit of all, is where we truly find the hand of the Divine."

BLAST FROM THE PAST: THE HORRIFIC IMPLICATIONS OF REFUSING TO MEET AND EVALUATE THE PRESIDENTS NOMINEE FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. PART 4.

In the End, the IMPLICATIONS OF NOT ALLOWING A SENATE HEARING FOR A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE GOES EVEN DEEPER THAN MANY THINK, BUT ITHINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS AWARE OF THIS, AND IS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES. 

-  THE SEPARATION OF POWERS, (EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL), HAS BEEN USURPED BY THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IN THIS CASE. HOWEVER, IN THE FUTURE IT MAY BE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH REFUSING TO NOMINATE ANYONE AT ALL, UNLESS CERTAIN CONCESSIONS ARE MET.

-  GIVEN THE COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, YOU ARE LEFT WITH A SYSTEM THAT ENCOURAGES THE DEMOCRATIC PARTYTO BEHAVE IN THE SAME MANNER, IF THE POSITIONS ARE REVERSED.DO YOU REALLY EXPECT ONE PARTY TO BE FAIR AND OPEN IN THE SELECTION PROCESS, IF THE OTHER IS JUST GOING TO DISCARD IT ANYWAY?  

-  IN ANY CASE, THE FUTURE OF OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL BE PUSHED TOWARDS TOTAL CHAOS, WITH RANSOMING THE LEGAL SYSTEM A GIFT LEFT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. NO LONGER WILL THERE BE A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, WITH NEITHER THE WHITE HOUSE OR THE SENATE CONTROLLING THE FATE OF OUR SYSTEMS OF LAW.

-  EVEN IF THE REFUSAL TO HOLD A HEARING IS SOMEHOW ALLOWED TO STAND, BUT A DEMOCRAT WINS THE PRESIDENCY, WE ARE STILL LEFT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.  THEY WILL HAVE DONE IT ONCE, WITHOUT SANCTION, WHAT IS TO STOP THE REPUBLICANS FROM DOING IT AGAIN?

AND AGAIN...AND AGAIN...AND AGAIN.

SO THE BIG QUESTION IS: WHY?

Date-  4/27/2016.

BEWARE OF THOSE WHO ATTACK POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, USING IT AS A WEAPON FOR MANIPULATION.

As the Insults, Derogatory Comments, and Pettiness begin to Increase in Fervor, and We are Assaulted by Rhetoric and Bombastic Speeches that are Good For Media Sound Bites, but little else, one thing is sure: ELECTION DAY IS FAST APPROACHING, AND THE DESPERATION OF MANY FACTIONS BECOMES MORE APPARENT.

However, We begin to see find that THERE IS A NEW TACTIC, THAT SUPERFICIALLY, SEEMS TO BE REASONABLE.  YET, IN SOME CASES IS JUST AN EXCUSE TO SLING VICIOUS AND CRUEL CRITICISMS THAT ARE NOT GROUNDED IN REALITY, AND JUSTIFYING SUCH STATEMENTS BY SAYING THAT ANY CRITICISMS ABOUT SUCH SPEECH...

          

 ... IS JUST ANOTHER CASE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

     GONE WILD.

Why such an ACCUSATION WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LET THE SPEAKER OFF THE HOOK IS MYSTIFYING, ESPECIALLY IF THE CRITICISM IS TRUE, AND DOES NOT PORTRAY SUCH SPEECH IN A FALSE LIGHT.

To Be Fair, there are CASES OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHO DO EXHIBIT AN EXAGGERATED SENSITIVITY TO SOME INNOCUOUS COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS, BUT EACH CASE MUST BE EVALUATED ON ITS OWN MERITS.  JUST LABELING SOMETHING AS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS TO AN IRRATIONAL EXTREME, IS NOT, AND SHOULD NOT BE A FREE PASS LETTING THE SPEAKER OFF THE HOOK.

Examples can Include;

Any Commentary that Automatically Groups Entire Classes of Individuals in a NEGATIVE LIGHT, BY ASSERTING THAT EACH MEMBER EXHIBITS THE SAME TYPE OF UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOR.

JUDGMENTS OR CONCLUSIONS THAT ASSUMES FACTS THAT ARE NOT IN 

EVIDENCE.

INFLAMMATORY WORDS OR PHRASES BEING USED TO APPEAL TO THE BASER ELEMENTS OF THE HUMAN PSYCHE.

There are others, but this is a good starting point.

FEATURE ARTICLES. RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE; HERE WE GO AGAIN. PT 5.

Since we have seen that claims saying raising the Minimum Wage causes a rise in unemployment to be false, and the positive affects such an increase has in both the public and private sectors is often ignored, what is really at the heart of the opposition?  It may not be what you think.

In fact, it may be a couple of reasons;

-  Raising the Minimum Wage must be done by Government Decree. There are those who OPPOSE ANY GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE ON WAGES, ESPECIALLY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.  This holds true even if you point out how business will benefit, and profits will rise.

( Of course, to them, Government Intervention is good for such things as Tax Breaks, Bail Outs, Tax Free Loans etc.)

Some Billionaires and Multi- Millionaires consider this an acceptable trade- off,

as long as wages are in their control.

- It cuts down on the supply of POVERTY LEVEL LABOR.  Many of those working for the current Minimum Wage, cannot meet the minimal financial levels needed for the basic necessities, ( i.e, Food, Rent, Medical etc.) , even if they work full time. (It is even more of a problem with dependents.)

This often leads to taking a second or third part- time job, which are usually low paying positions similar to their full time employment.  Even when paying low wages, many employers will do just about anything to avoid paying overtime. So this leaves a pool of workers trapped in a cycle of working just to make ends meet.

However, raising the Minimum Wage to levels where poverty isn't the only result, will cut down the need for multiple employers and jobs, and give an opportunity for Individual growth through additional Education and Training.

In other words, a better prepared work force, in terms of the ability to achieve Financial and Professional success.

A SCARY THOUGHT FOR MANY CORPORATIONS.

I would like to end this Article leaving you with the following thought:

NO MATTER WHAT IS SAID PUBLICLY, THERE ARE POLITICIANS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHO COULD CARE LESS THAT ANY AMERICAN GOES HUNGRY, IS HOMELESS, OR STRUGGLES TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN.  THE SUCCESS OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS DRIVING THEM CRAZY, FOR IT BENEFITS ALL AMERICANS, NOT JUST THE SELF- CENTERED.

Remember this the next time you hear a Candidate speak.

Date-  10/30/2014.