In the children's story, The Emperor's New Clothes, a group of charlatans convince a vain emperor that they can make a suit of clothes that will enable him to always pick out the best people for a task because those who are unfitted for their job will be unable to see the new clothes.
The emperor wanted to obtain the best possible advisors and workmen, and when the crooks finished telling him how wonderful the new clothes would look, and what a wise ruler he would be to take advantage of their offer, he provided the expensive things they requested to do the job. After a few days he came to check on them and found the piles of supplies somewhat depleted and the workmen busily working at the looms, apparently weaving, but he can see nothing.
If he admits he can't see what they are showing him, and they really are producing such magical cloth, they would realize he wasn't fitted as emperor, so he raves over the material as if he actually saw it, doubting his own senses. A few days later he went up for a fitting, and they measured him and described various features of the design just as his regular tailors had done. They were so convincing that he was convinced he could not depend on his own experience and senses, and dared not admit he couldn't see anything.
The special properties of the suit were widely proclaimed and the entire population gathered, all convinced their unrecognized talents would finally be known. As the emperor modeled the suit before the court, they were all ashamed to admit they saw nothing. In fear that they were the only ones who didn't, they gushed over how astounding the clothing was to keep the others from realizing they didn't really see anything.
When the Emperor leads the procession down the down the streets, his people reacted in the same way, all convinced that if they said anything they'd loose their current positions. Finally a small child called out "The Emperor has no clothes on!" As they laughed about his outburst some admitted they couldn't see anything either. Suddenly they all realized that it was true. Their senses had been correct, the experts had lied. I can only imagine the Emperor's humiliation. Of course by then the experts had taken their money and goods and gone.
Many years ago a large religious organization had developed some financial problems. A fund raising firm promised to develop a program to get them out of trouble in exchange for approximately 30% of the income. Some of the leaders were convinced that the program would produce huge income, and enable them to quickly resolve the problem.
The qualifications of the fundraising team and their projections were presented to the board, as well as a list of the supporters. One older pastor questioned the wisdom of the plan, but was repeatedly informed that he just didn't understand. Finally, he told them that was why he questioned the program. He didn't understand why paying some one almost a third of their income to do what they were already doing would produce more income. It was implied that he was less educated or informed because he opposed the project, and the decision was made to proceed.
The project failed, a major property was lost, and the organization split, largely as a result of that decision and the problems that resulted. Various other pastors admitted they had had doubts at the time, but had allowed the leaders and experts to convince them to over look their concerns to avoid being vilified for not being as well informed. As it turned out the Emperor really didn't have any clothes.
Sadly, we are seeing the same philosophy in our political system. Those who question efforts to correct the economy, healthcare reform, global warming, or homosexual marriage are vilified as out of touch, prejudiced, reactionary, or just plain dumb. An official who questions his party's position is branded a maverick and risks having their support withdrawn. As a result honest examination of the facts is often overridden in the interest of keeping party support. So often, we've found out that Congress spent a lot of money, but have nothing worthwhile to show for it. They bought a lie.
Is it better to get a bill passed by a certain date, or to pass something that will actually resolve the problems, even though it may take longer? It seems to me that it would be better to actually review the facts and pass legislation that actually deals with the problems, regardless how long it takes, or what the so called "experts" and vested interests tell us. Maybe our clothes won't be so impressive, but we won't be embarrassed to find out we didn't have any.
For articles about resolving financial problems, go to [http://www.debtmanagement.dobettertoday.com]. For a study of biblical teaching relating to daily life go to http://www.BeingChristianToday.blogspot.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Fishgrab http://www.pippoproducts.com/products |
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