STORY TIME!

Once upon a time, in a land much like our own, there lived a group of people. These people were powerful, and politically connected, but they wanted to be more powerful and more politically connected.

This dream of more power and more control grew stronger with the rulers. They had once loved their subjects, but that love was fading as they dreamt of the opportunity of added wealth and added power.

At a meeting with trusted friends and colleagues one of the rulers lamented. “Oh woe am I. I have riches! I have fame! I have power! Yet I lack happiness, I want more! One colleague boldly stepped forward and said. The only way we can expand our kingdom is to overtake others, but many of the other leaders are our friends. The lands we might conquer are across the sea, and if we lose the battle we could lose power.

A second party member spoke. Perhaps we could speak with the other rulers, our friends? Our land is free, but the people are spoiled and pampered. We could speak with our friends and, dare I suggest, seek a merger. Another spoke. “A merger? Our people would not approve. They are pampered and soft, but they are satisfied, and so, pliable. Talk of a merger might awaken them and make them difficult to control.”

They liked the idea of collaborating with their friends and creating a stronger, richer, more powerful land. But they had concerns.

“What about their guns?” queried one party member. “And their religion, the dogma is strong within them.” added another. It was agreed they would speak with other leaders, they would go to the most powerful of their friends and test the water.

Many were in favor. The lure of even more power was strong. Uninvited leaders from other nations learned of the plot and offered their support in return for power and riches.

The sad leader took control of the situation. “This can work!” He proposed at a meeting with only his most trusted associates within the party. “Our opponents will try to wrestle control from us in the next election, that is our first hurdle.” A learned member of the party entered the conversation, “There are many contestants in the other party. We can use that to our advantage.” Another party member spoke, “We will attack their strongest members before a leader is chosen, but who is this late comer? He is not politically connected. He is only rich.” They all agreed he was not a threat. How could he be? He is too new to the game.

They assumed the election was in hand and went on with their plans of what they had titled “A One World Government.” They gave a large amount of the kingdoms riches to a land across the sea. Scientists in this land planned to create a plague that would control the masses, but they needed money.

TIME PASSES

Subordinates greeted the sad leader, “It looks like he is going to win the nomination.” They revealed. “Who?” queried the sad leader. “The rich guy.” They replied. The rich guy was not expected to have a chance. The party had obtained many false statements they felt would finish the rich guy off, but did not take him seriously and thus held onto the file. The party leaders held an emergency meeting. How can they deal with the rich guy? How can he be stopped?

The party leaders gave it more thought and then decided, the rich guy had no chance of winning. They decided they would go on with the election after all, they felt, they had the strongest candidate by far!

The election took place. The sad leader’s party was predicted to win a great victory. Late in the night of the voting it became obvious. The rich man had won, what would the party do now?

More to come- Please comment on this change of pace.