A 21st Century Political Parable

Inspired by a conversation with Allison, this is my version of a parable to guide the current budget discussion in the US. Be warned-- it's political. :)

There was a man who walked along the road to Washington. This man was neither rich nor poor, but he was certainly not actually poor.

As he strolled casually along, he passed by a woman on the side of the road. This woman called out to him, saying "Sir, could you please take my letter to Washington? I spent so long writing it, but now I find I cannot go because of my duties here." The man walked over and took the letter, reading it over carefully. He responded, "Ma'am, this letter would be far too heavy for me to carry. But I have read it, and I will take your words with me to Washington." The woman seemed displeased with this, but at that moment her many children and husband began to call her. "Thanks, please let me know what they say," she said.

The man walked on for another few miles, enjoying the breeze and the nice weather. His eyes were closed and his face was praising God's glorious day when he suddenly tripped over something large in the road. He tumbled down, swearing as he did. As he collected himself, he realized it was a man in tattered clothing. He found himself furious at this man, and swore at him to watch where he chose to lay down. "The nerve of people these days, lying down in the middle of a road just to trip people and make them late...." He moved quickly away, just in case the man in tattered clothes had some disease. The other man simply watched him as he went by, thinking how that had been the seventh man to walk by without helping him after his fall. The man was very old, and couldn't get up easily. Particularly in the middle of the road with no way to pull himself upright.

However, our man was already far down the road. His clothes were dustier now, so he stopped at an inn. He had a nagging feeling that there was something he was supposed to remember when he got to Washington, but he pushed it out of his mind. Inside the inn, there were two young women sitting at a table together. The man thought they were sitting a little too closely together, their eyes seemed to meet too often. He felt intensely uncomfortable. Thus, after cleaning off his clothes in the bathroom, he walked out and left a note for the innkeeper saying that the two were involved in illegal activity (probably illegal immigrants, too) and should be kicked out immediately.

Walking outside again, he felt somewhat more relieved. What a strenuous day!

He hurried along, reaching Washington. He was terribly tired, thirsty, and really wanted a cigar. The doors of the building swung open, and his boys clapped him on the back. "We never thought you'd make it, why did you even walk?" They gestured to their Hummers in the parking lot. The man felt terribly embarrassed, and made a mental note to drive next time.

"Well, how was your walk?"

The man thought, and said, "Nothing really happened. Didn't see a soul."