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 A
factory spewed toxic fumes over a community, and the smog
problem became acute. Something must be done.
Joe
pled with the public to become better stewards, to respect God’s
creation, and their fellow-men. He urged fair dealing with
manufacturers and consumers alike, recognizing the joint
responsibilities of consumers and producers in a society that
demands (though perhaps selfishly) our current standard of
living. Joe sought to touch the public conscience and, by legal
and orderly means, to solve an immediate problem with principles
that would extend to the solution of problems yet unborn. Joe
got nowhere!! — or so it seemed.
Bill
became interested in the smog problem because it was “hot”
news, and served well his political aims. He encour- aged a mob
to break factory windows, storm the governor’s mansion and
shout obscenities at his political opponent — whom he falsely
accused with taking bribes from “big business.” Bill pulled
“strings” to high places, and closed the factory!!
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Flushed
with victory, and with the gratitude of a public relieved from
the immediate smog problem, Bill won the election. And, while
his mob organization was intact, he launched a campaign to ruin
several other factories that were in competition with his
private interests.
The
“strings” he pulled, to swing the first job, were elastic
— and had a counter-pull. Now that he was in a power position,
certain requests had to be granted — and pollutions far more
damaging to the public than that of the first problem, had to be
ignored. They came from factories belonging to the powers who
put him in office. But Bill got his “cuts” and died a very
wealthy and influential man. (Choked to death on a $5. cigar)
Joe
died in obscurity, little mourned. There were other problems.
Trees were stunted, grasses withered, and old folk smothered in
their sleep. Only one remembered Joe’s plea (Matt.
7:12) and was determined to carry on. I don’t know his name,
but unborn children may live to celebrate it.
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