Progressive Parables

I have yet to see a pig fly; however, the future is replete with truthful tales far stranger than the wildest fiction. In just such a time, a community gathered to establish a “Public Restaurant,” where all citizens could receive healthy meals... free of charge. Although the tax-funded proposition faced strong opposition in matters of principle (and the obvious ramifications upon fee-based operations), several persuasive arguments were pushed forward: access to health and fitness regardless of economic status, the formation of a more inclusive community, the development of higher standards of food safety... and the creation of a perfect venue for the City Council’s important meetings. The Mayor declared, “Food is free. Freedom of dining shall be enjoyed under conditions fixed by law and under the supreme control of the Council.”1 After many alluring pronouncements, the proposal was passed. The only detractors were three old codgers who had long operated a fresh market and cafeteria: Drs. Locke, Smith and Franklin. To their concerns, select experts provided abstract hypotheticals showing how tax increases would be minimal and private eateries would actually benefit from the public option.

And so, the institution of the public restaurant was born! The operation was widely celebrated, as the tax burden was light and manifest benefits were at hand. The restaurant became a focal point of community pride... the gleaming building bustling with excited customers. It seemed everyone delighted in the new venture, particularly the dynamic employees and volunteers. Most of all, people who had never eaten in a restaurant so richly appreciated the opportunity. The only persistent critics were private restaurant owners, as they were losing hordes of customers; some were having to close their doors forever. Though this was a sad by-product, the community considered the gains vastly outweighing the losses. People would comfort themselves by saying, “Restaurateurs like Drs. Locke, Smith and Franklin are talented enough to do other things.” The City Council felt the pain of the three geezers; and so, they gave them more time for such new pursuits: They relieved them of their Council positions and announced, “The vote is now unanimous!” Soon, success stories were spreading like wildfire, nationwide! Not surprisingly, public restaurants became dominant... serving over 90% of the citizenry.

These massive expansions naturally led to a host of new necessities, like networks of district, regional and state managers... and state-of-the-art super-structures: “Boards of Restaurants.” The important duties of “The Boards” required spacious and elegant offices... not the plain kind found in everyday restaurants. However, this was easy to understand, as the Boards consisted only of the best managers and finest chefs. Filled with noble intentions, these dear leaders hired a bounty of assistants and specialists to meet the new directives that they, as experts, had created. Of course, this required huge tax increases and elaborate employee certification requirements... to ensure excellence, uniformity, and most supremely, compliance. These necessary upgrades also required more sacrifices by the citizenry... but just little things like personal wealth and autonomy. The new State Board President heroically shouldered every burden in declaring, “Give me four years to feed the customers and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted!”2

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In order to make sure food was being equitably distributed, customers were no longer able to make their own selections, but such decisions of the Boards made perfect sense: “Why burden common folks with complicated matters that trained officials can best determine?” Thus, menus were removed from all public restaurants; and soon, people forgot such things ever existed. When customers desired unavailable foods, they were informed the present items were the ones most needed. The Board President reminded everyone why he had to make these hard choices, “Food is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.”3. In time, customers learned to be grateful for the benevolent work of all the Boards. State Boards even worked out systems wherein kids could eat separately from their parents. At first, this was an option; then, this became the norm; then, this became the requirement. Never tiring in good works, Regional Boards devised ingenious plans for busing kids to and from the restaurants. Parents celebrated this clever convenience, “We don’t have to worry with transportation, nor do we have to endure the chaos of eating with all those noisy kids. Best of all, it’s all free!”

Behind the scenes, this executive sleight-of-hand was fueling a hunger for even firmer controls; after all, the intricate web of rules and regulations required the strong hands of professionals. Still, there remained a few malcontents who were not pleased with the blessed new schemes. Drs. Locke, Smith and Franklin spoke passionately about something they called the “Laws of Nature”... Divine Designs wherein human beings do not rule over others. However, the Boards mocked such exhortations, using enlightened flourishes like, “Nonsense! If you don’t like public restaurants, go to private ones!” The masses would generally nod; some would even cheer; most were too busy to notice. Drs. Locke, Smith and Franklin would elaborate, but few heard their thoughts, as the Boards shielded customers from what became known as misinformation.

The masses reveled in the Board’s devotion, “They look out for the little guy by providing the best food and service... for free!” Locke and Smith bowed their heads in disbelief, as Franklin made fervent appeals, “Public dining options can exist without eroding our essential Liberties.” He pleaded, “We can retain the resources to empower the very best service as well as excellence in the quality and variety of food. Freedom plus Duty will meet the real needs of everyone!” Oddly, Franklin’s ideas did not gain traction, though his detailed arguments were unassailable. In time, the Boards lost interest in customer satisfaction, as actual results became secondary to higher-minded intentions... and their job security. Only a few customers paused to ponder these matters; most just kept eating what was put in front of them. The Boards always made good use of such apathy. They would use sweet-sounding slogans with malleable terms like “core values.” One of their favorites was “teamwork,” though it now meant “obedience” from days long past. New learning fomented much confusion when some children stumbled upon an old, dusty book, “The Dictionary.” Stunned by all of the wrongly defined words, the kids wondered how such an inaccurate book ever made it to print. Suddenly, the youngest child had a simple yet clarion thought: “What if this book is correct?” In that moment, everything began to change! There was a rebirth of wonder and vision, as spoken of long ago, “And a little child will lead them.”4

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Public restaurants began having fewer satisfied customers; many of the best workers resigned. And yet, the sprawling system remained well-entrenched, as there were few option and unions delivered sufficient benefits to attract ample employees. Astonishingly, customers had forgotten that the funding was coming straight out of their own pockets... though their taxes just kept increasing. In these progressions, all restaurants had become degraded, having lost their primary inspirations and purposes. Still, many wealthy families would only eat in private restaurants, willing to pay any premium for what they perceived to be better food and service. As these additional costs were beyond the reach of most, only a small percentage could make this choice. Instead, upper income communities began developing around select public restaurants, paying higher taxes to make sure their eatery had better facilities, better workers, and better food. In these mindless quests, some real estate markets were elevated while others were depressed. Of course, this only defeated the initial purposes of public restaurants, as poorer communities were left with the worst options while richer communities reveled in their comparative superiority. Ironically, public restaurants were now accomplishing the opposite of their founding charters. Fearing the ramifications of factual contemplations of such matters, State Boards utilized emotional campaigns to shape public sentiment. A favorite slogan became, “For the children.”

Lastly, there were a few customers who were deeply concerned about the overall timbre, even ethics, of the Public Dining System. Though having varied specificities, these citizens shared the view that the best option was to not eat out at all; so, they prepared and ate their meals at home. Some would go all out in creating the best meals possible; however, some didn’t have the time nor the resources to provide much more than snack foods. Still, regardless of anything else, everyone was paying for public restaurants... whether they ate there or not. One day at a writer’s conference, several authors were offering critiques of the Public Restaurant System. The keynote speaker declared, “Their food is toxic!” During the Q & A session afterwards, a puzzled little boy timidly took the microphone, “Are you still paying for other people to dine in these horrible places?” After a long pause, the author answered awkwardly, “Well... yes, I guess I am; we all are. That’s a great question. I have to admit I haven’t thought about it like this.” Again, a little child had led them... and the writer’s conference suddenly had a new focus.

Many states were now spending more on public restaurants than anything else; and yet, people with objections were often labeled ignorant, heartless extremists. These defacto heretics were often given comprehensive marginalization; some even required specialized training. Therefore, few people dared to complain... certainly not openly or in writing. With no real competition, the food and service only got worse, and costs continued to soar. But it didn’t matter. The National Boards had done a great job of partnering with politicians and media organizations to make sure dissenters were kept voiceless; after all, the matter was now settled: “Public Restaurants are the cornerstone of our republic.”4 To solidify this notion, all Boards would remind customers of the days before public restaurants when so many citizens were horribly malnourished... eating scraps out of garbage bins (though the never provided any evidence of this). Few questioned the Boards about anything actually, as their honor was always assumed. Even when early health and fitness goals were casually set aside, good reasons were provided: “Fresh fruits, homemade vegetables and local meats can be easily contaminated; it’s best to serve straight from the can.”

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Despite all of this, an amazing reality was at hand: There were still some excellent workers and managers serving in public restaurants. One manager humbly explained, “I just remember why I got into food service; I strive to provide the best food and service possible.” Forever and a day, these people are heroes! On the other hand, the Boards stayed busy with their noble causes, like addressing the most troubling issues, e.g., portion equity, alternative foods, chef patriarchy and the crime of misgendering. But there was one matter they found particularly odious: Despite their best efforts, there still remained a remnant of antiquated understandings revolving around what the heretics called “objective Standards” and “traditional Goodness.” One Board President clarified, “It seems the foundations for this scandalous thinking comes directly from an ancient, inane text speaking of “unalienable” gifts of Life and Liberty... from the hands of a “Creator.” Some fools even say these ideas gave birth to the most exceptional nation in human history!” And so, the Boards made it imperative to denigrate this nation whenever possible.

In busy streets and byways, Drs. Locke, Smith and Franklin continued to shout to a deaf world,

“Our Creator was once known as a loving Father yearning to lead his children to a land overflowing with milk and honey... and an abundant cornucopia of Good fruits.” In a plea for remembrance, they looked deeply into the eyes of anyone listening, “There was a time when our forefathers gathered together in the hope of starting anew... even building a shining City on a Hill! People of the Promise, remember these days; remember who you are!”5 The newly- created “National Department of Restaurants” fashioned their official response: “That’s silly rubbish!” The “Secretary of Restaurants” issued more specific correctives. “Fairy tales can be nice, but the only way to improve lives is to provide quality food and service for everyone. Thankfully, this is what we do! So, just be calm and trust the professionals who are looking out for you. Remember, too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the soup,” he counseled the masses. He even gave tender words of comfort, “From this day forward, just eat what we place in front of you; and be advised, there are no substitutions. It’s really this simple: Our restaurants are the source; our cooks are the heroes. Our service is better than ever; our food is better than ever. Period! People, don’t worry; be happy; and, keep eating!” The masses offered high praise to the Secretary for his strong stance in defense of wonderful free food and service for everyone. One woman spoke out tearfully, “He’s so brave; he’s like a Daddy to me.”

However, there were still a pesky few who thought the entire operation was now posited upon a vast network of lies and deceptions wherein Symbolism was always more important than actual Substance. Drs. Locke, Smith and Franklin began speaking boldly about the tragic realities at hand as well as the promise of brighter days... even that shining City on a Hill. Locke insisted, “No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”6 Smith shared first causations, “The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations.”7 And Franklin, with a twinkle in his eye, stated the obvious, “Well done is better than well said.”8 Though they did not have the backing of the state, nor the admiration of the status-quo elites, they had the power of Remembrance... and the everlasting Truth therein. And thankfully, they had a few earnest listeners... as their voices echoed through the corridors of time.

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One bright sunny day, a young girl walked into a public restaurant with a well-worn book in her hands. Her attire was ragged; her hair was unkempt; she was the epitome of a child from the backwoods. And yet, she spoke with the voice of an angel... with purity and precision from far greater realms. She cried out about someone who still calls to all who hunger and thirst: “Come unto me and eat the bread of life and drink the living water. I will never leave you desolate; I am yours... and you are mine!” And then, the little child pleaded to her stunned audience, “Why do we sit here idle? Join me in the fertile fields now ripe for harvest. On this new day, let us press on; let us gather together with the Master Gardener and Executive Chef. Today can be the day of salvation!” And so, she was quickly sent to the kitchen to peel potatoes.

How long must her vision be silenced? Elements of this story may sound eerily familiar to you; in fact, you may have quickly recognized the actual subject matter: The “Public Education System.” And yes, Drs. Locke, Smith and Franklin spoke on these issues from the very outset of our unique and God-Blessed Republic: John Locke, Adam Smith and that wily rascal, Benjamin Franklin. If this allegory has roused awareness and concerns, know that there are tangible answers at hand... right now. We the People are far from powerless. Be assured, the Truth still sets us free! As Americans, we were given the opportunity to be Caesar in America... at such tremendous costs in the sweat and blood of countless believers and patriots. Our Constitution begins in the most revolutionary of ways: We the People! The opportunity is ours; the responsibility is ours. What we allowed others to steal from our bank accounts and from the souls of our children... can now be reclaimed and restored! We built and sustain every public school in this country; we pay the salaries of every employee. Yes, the public schools are ours!

We are no longer asking for favors; this is a matter of our “unalienable Rights.” Though God has been placed in the dock and our children in the crosshairs, “There remains a mighty River whose streams make glad the City of God!” 10 And so today, “With a firm Reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, (may) we (again) mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” 11 As it was on that miraculous day in Yorktown, Victory is nigh! ©

Soli Deo Gloria!

Jamie Aiken

Project American Life

732 Montgomery Highway, #246 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

ProjectAmericanLife.com (205) 823-8446

“Let Freedom Ring!”

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Bibliography

1 “Education is free. Freedom of education shall be enjoyed under the condition fixed by law and under the supreme control of the state.” -Karl Marx

2 “Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.” -Vladimir Lenin

3 “Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” -Joseph Stalin

4 “And a little child will lead them.” -Isaiah 11:6

5 “We believe public education is the cornerstone of our republic.” -NEA Mission Statement

6 “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.” -John Winthrop

7 “No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.” -John Locke

8 “The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations.” -Adam Smith

9 “Well done is better than well said.” -Benjamin Franklin

10 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” -Psalms 46:4

11 “With a firm Reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
-Closing of The Declaration of Independence

12 Lastly, there are many paraphrases from the Gospels throughout the document.

For a more exhaustive analysis of the themes in this allegory, you may peruse the following treatise at the following website. You may also forward or download the document. You are not powerless; in fact, you can be a bright light, even in this dark world. Shalom and Shalom!

www.projectamericanlife.com/restoring-american-via-educational-excellence

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