The Rat In The Hat

The Rat in the Hat by David Rucker

Illustrated by Vic Lockman Copyright © 1995 Associated Conservatives of Texas

One cold winter day we sat in our house, we two hundred million and a half, we were quiet, quiet as a church mouse.

4

Just then, was a knock on our door! As we opened a little, we came face to face with a hat wearing Rat. He smiled and said, “Hey, I think I like this place!”

5

The Rat in the Hat said, “Don’t be so glum, we can have lots of good fun! We’ll raise so much money, it will make your day sunny!”

6

From good or from bad, the source doesn’t matter, we’ll have so much, we’ll have more than enough!

7

We looked at each other in stunned disbelief, the people and me. We thought, this is not right – it just shouldn’t be!

8

But in came the Rat in the Hat in spite of our plea. In came that Rat, just as bold as you please.

9

He went right to our phone and began to make calls. He did not stop, no, not at all.

10

He called old, he called young, he called smart, he called dumb. He said what each wanted to hear, to make it appear, that he would be good at making their problems disappear!

11

They loved it, they did, and to our surprise they sent him lots of good money from morning ’til night.

12

Now he had many phones and computers too, and he used them all to make his sordid calls!

13

We did not like what was happening, not one little bit. It was slimy and deceptive, each one of his tricks.

14

We could see it was getting late, our country was a mess, so we told him to leave and get out of our place!

15

He said, “I can’t do that! I’ve got too much to lose. So here’s what I’ll do: I’ll bring out some friends who are really cool dudes!”

16

So he opened this box, did the Rat in the Hat, and out came two things named Thing One and Thing Two. What do they do? we asked, as we sat.

17

The Rat answered, “Why, they help me have fun, do Thing Two and Thing One!” I asked, “But what is the R on Thing One and the D on Thing Two?”

18

“Oh, those don’t mean a thing,” he happened to say. “The D and the R give us license to play. I use them to trick people each and every day”

19

“All the people love one or the other – they like it that way. It’s very simple – somewhat plastic I’d say!”

20

The Rat continued on, “You see, it’s fun to see them fight, fitter and fray. It keeps people occupied, in a clever sort of way!”

21

It was easy to see that the Rat loved power. He controlled the whole of our country from his place in our tower.

22

We had to get rid of that Rat, and Thing One and Thing Two, to save our great country from immeasurable due.

23

So we came up with a plan that would loosen this noose. We endeavored to do it – just tell people the truth.

24

We thought, surely they’ll listen, we know that they will. They will listen – for we have something to tell!

25

We spoke of the Rat and Thing One and Thing Two – about how with honor and truth they would have nothing to do.

26

We told of the D, and of the R, and how the fight isn’t real – nothing but fluff, nothing but frills.

27

We told them all the Rat wanted was Money and Power – and not to give either, in this late, late hour.

28

It was getting late, but we still had a chance to again make our country great.

29

We told Greg, Mary and Bill. We told Phil, Angie and Sue. Some people listened, WILL YOU?

30

why our government is failing or, The Invasion of the Republocrats by David Rucker ave you ever wondered why our nation’s problems con-

tinue to grow, despite our best efforts to elect good people? H Does it seem as if our vote means nothing? To understand why this occurs, we must understand the dynamics present at the founding of our system of government. When formed, our country had no Democrat or Republican Party, only raw political thought and activity. Today’s conventional wisdom holds we are incapable of operating outside the confines and constraints of the current two party system. I contend that the “two party system” is the vehicle politicians use to drive this country and its people straight off the cliff. What a clever false dichotomy. Creating this false dichotomy requires division of all political activity into two defined camps. These two camps are pitted against each other in a small self-contained political battlefield. The leadership of these two camps is controlled by financial contributions – large financial contributions. These funds are managed by a select group, the “Party People.” In order for financial interests to maintain control of a political party, the importance of certain moral issues must remain subdued. The subduction effort is the task of the “party people” for the expressed benefit of the large financial contributors. Moral issues are anathema to the “party people,” who take great plea-

31

why our government is failing sure in downplaying their significance. “Party people” will allow controversial issues at convention time, but these controversial issues become secondary and subordinate to the issues of interest for the large financial donors. A hearty handshake and patronizing pat on the head is all most people require from elected officials in order to convince them their issues are top priority. As the assured voter goes his merry way, the elected official continues to pursue the special interests of the large financial backers. The “two party system” creates the perfect arena in which to accomplish this annihilation of liberty and moral governance. During the American revolution, the threat to individual liberty was the British Crown. The Crown offended the colonies because it forced the colonies to be subject to decisions without prior approval. Forcing an individual into actions against his will could be defined as the actions of a tyrant. It was against this “tyranny” Americans rebelled. They wanted their unalienable right to govern themselves. Today, Americans no longer trust the leadership in Washington. In reality, that leadership has assumed the mantle of the Crown: an aloof, far off government, dictating to its “subjects” the laws of the land without our representation in the decision making process. In essence, this is “taxation without representation.” This system of government has virtually eliminated the will of the people by recognizing and acting upon the will of the dollar, specifically, the Washington lobby dollar. Professional lobbyists know that in today’s atmosphere of a growing Federal bureaucracy, money talks. Money talks with a loud and resonant voice to our elected politicians, crossing party lines and rendering those lines meaningless. It matters little to the professional lobbyist whether politicians and elected officials are Republican or Democrat – they own both. It should be clear that the “system” is the problem. Candidates may be elected because of their political ideology, only to be absorbed into the system of corruption and political payoffs. They 32

why our government is failing maintain their elected position based on their ability to deliver a large portion of government pork, while pretending to champion the populist causes of “cutting the budget, trimming government red tape, etc.” This charade exists due to a severe lack of contact with the average taxpayer. Although taxpayers fund this government outlay of pork, they fail to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. Most people believe they have a say in the affairs of their government. In reality, once the election is over, the big boys take charge. Imagine an elected official who, during the election process, received $10,000 from an individual or “Political Action Committee.” Then think about the individual who has no money to contribute, but contributes 50 or 60 hours on the phone bank or walking the block. The elected official receives two phone calls, one from the block walker, one from the $10,000 donor. Who do you think gets through? Hint: it’s not the block walker. The American government is corrupt because the average person simply cannot match the importance of the large donor. Most Americans fail to recognize or understand this simple fact. The “two party system” comes into play at this point. In choosing the most qualified candidate, most Americans make their choice based on the “lesser of two evils” criteria. “We must vote Republican because the Democrat is really bad.” Or, “the Republicans are so corrupt we must vote for the Democrat.” If this occurs, good government just lost. Good representation just lost. Moral governance just lost. The first time this happened it was not so bad. However, after thirty or forty “lesser of two evils” elections, prior choices compound to deliver up a majority body of elected officials unable and incapable of moral governance. The solution for the American people to this problem: • Stop playing the game. • Stop falling for the trick • Stop being naive. 33

why our government is failing • Stop electing someone simply because they are a Republican or Democrat. • Stop being the patsy in the electoral process. Moral governance requires work. It requires research, follow through and perseverance. These are attributes most modern Americans lack when electing their representatives. We are simply too busy to govern ourselves. We are too busy watching the Super Bowl or wondering whom Oprah will interview. We have Peter Jennings or Tom Brokaw to do our thinking for us. We don’t have to think, just listen. The “party people” cheer at the opportunity to do our thinking and analyzing for us. In the long term, this is a disaster. The old saying, “while the cat’s away, the mice will play” takes on new meaning. Our government has been overrun by mice, and they are playing – playing with our liberty and freedom and money. Because of this, we are no longer a free people. Without a fight, we have surrendered our God-given rights to the “lesser of two evils.” For a positive change, you must reenter the playing field in a personal way. It is up to you to reestablish your ideals in the “game” of politics. It is time for you to be an independent thinker and activist for your beliefs. Do not depend on the pros in the Party to pursue your political concerns. It is time for you to regain your heritage as a free man or woman, that heritage so graciously given you by God. Will you accept the “lesser of two evils” presented by the “two party system” and die in bondage? Work for your freedom and independence every day as all free people must!
David Rucker is a Director and Spokesman for Associated Conservatives of Texas based in Dallas, Texas.

34

about the author David Rucker was born in Springfield, Missouri during a blizzard in 1956. At an early age he was appropriately nicknamed ‘Bucky’. Now he is a small business owner and resides in the Dallas, Texas area with his wife, Resa, and their two children, Morgan and David Jr. David is uniquely gifted as a writer, with an ability to expose our dark side and challenge us to better. He is faithful to point us toward our Creator in our search for truth, life and liberty. David serves as spokesman for, and a director of, the Associated Conservatives of Texas. In this capacity, he has changed the momentum of politics in Texas over recent years by consistently conveying our ‘conservative conscience’ to friend and foe alike. about the artist Vic Lockman, currently residing in the west, was born in Chicago with a pen in his hand. His career includes writing thousands of comic book scripts, penning editorial cartoons, drawing a syndicated comic strip, and illustrating various books. He has authored and published over a hundred Christian and patriotic tracts and many cartoon illustrated books. If you would like to contact him for additional information, please write to him at P.O. Box 1396, Yreka, California (96097). about associated conservatives of texas act is a grassroots political network based in Dallas, Texas. This all volunteer network blends fiscal and social conservatives into a unified force working together to achieve limited government with high ethical standards, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and fiscal integrity. A conservative is by definition one who works to preserve fundamental truth. If that is your calling, and you would like additional information, please visit the following web address: www.actinfo.net