Here’s a thought-provoking parable on agriculture, that originally appeared in the Thief River Falls Times and remains current today:.

Wednesday, January 12, 2000

Here’s a thought-provoking parable on agriculture, that originally appeared in the Thief River Falls Times and remains current today:

Once upon a time there were two men who lived on farms across the road from each other.

One of these men labored from early to late to plant and tend his crops, care for his livestock, improve his buildings and; repair his machinery.

His wife took part-time employment in the nearby town to supplement the family income and provide for the education of their children

The other man preferred to rise at his convenience, spent many of his days in the nearby town playing cards, talking on the street corner or relaxing in an air-conditioned bar.

His crops- seeded later than his neighbor’s – were infested with weeds. He had no livestock, for they were too much work, and his buildings were in too poor repair to keep them.

His wife joined him in town or went her own way, letting the housework slide and neglecting her children.

By virtue of his effort, enterprise and initiative, the first man harvested a good crop, his livestock and their products brought top prices, and his farmstead had a neat orderly appearance.

Because of his indolence and carelessness, the second man harvested little crop and his buildings deteriorated.

Then along came a being called "Equalizer." He looked upon the second man and said, "Your children are under-nourished and under-clothed. I will provide you with sustenance for yourself and for them. You are poverty-stricken, because you have little income. I will give you more money. Your house is in poor condition. I will build you a new one."

He looked upon the first man and said, "You have more income than you require to provide your family with necessities. I will take the remainder from you. Your land and buildings and machinery are of great value. I will exact payment in relation to their value. Your production has created surpluses. Next year I shall restrict the acreage you may plant. I shall take much of what you have and give it to your neighbor, who is less fortunate than you."

Other neighbors heard what the being called Equalizer had to say, and they reasoned thus: "Why should we labor when the returns of our labor are taken from us? Why should we improve our land and buildings, when they will be improved for us? Why should we not do as we please, forsaking our labors, when the being called Equalizer will care for our wants and educate our children?"

They all decided, "Let us then pursue the course of leisure and pleasure."

Now the country in which this parable took place was called the United States of America, and the being called "Equalizer" was the federal government.

And the people grew lazy and dependent upon the Equalizer, and he lost his power to sustain them and they disappeared from the face of the earth.