the napkin contract

A story nothing more, but it made me chuckle

Thxs Master G

Good read.

I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated
behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful
passing of the recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast.
This is what ensued:

They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I
heard the young man exclaim, "Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean,
after all, he is healing the sick." The young woman enthusiastically
proclaimed, "Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone
would think that a free market would work for health care. They are all
crooks and thieves and don't deserve all of that money." Another said,
'The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can
inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did
for those of us less fortunate." At this, I had had enough.

I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find,
and approached their table. "Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for
one moment?" They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at
the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.

"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no
money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you
live there. Anyone interested?" They looked at each other in
astonishment. "Why would you do something like that?" asked a young man,
"There isn't anything for free in this world." They began to laugh at
me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point. "I am
serious, I will give you my house for free, no money what so ever.
Anyone interested?" In unison, a resounding "Hell Yeah" fills the room.

"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice
as to who receives this money free bargain." I noticed an elderly couple
was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the
old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. "I tell you what; I will
give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules." Again, they
looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces. The
perky young woman asked, "What are the rules?" I smiled and said, "I
don't know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that
I offer you." They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which
said, "What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take
your meds, old man." I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further.
"I am serious, this is a legitimate offer." They gaped at me for a
moment.

"Hell, I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted
the youngest among them. "Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms
then?" I asked. The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they
watched from the privacy of their table. "Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign
up?" I took a napkin and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the
burden of financial obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the
terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction." I
signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his
signature. "Where are the keys to my new house?" he asked in a mocking
tone of voice. All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table,
pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new
homeowner.

"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed
by all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are
obligated to adhere from this point forward. You may only live in the
house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home.
You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete
loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept
my commands and wishes with enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your
morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as
I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your
keys." I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumb
founded.

"Are you out of your freaking mind? Who would ever agree to
those ridiculous terms?" the young man appeared irritated. "You did when
you signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with
the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you
committed to the agreement." Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as
his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and
bewildered group of people. "You can shove that stupid deal up you're
a** old man, I want no part of it" exclaimed the now infuriated young
man. "You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your
friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not
intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you
agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave
yourself to. In short, I am your Master." At this, the table of
celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of
the deal.

After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I
revealed my true intent. "What I did to you is what this administration
and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily
suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your
folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn;
that you are entitled to that which you did not earn; that you willingly
allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research, study
and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered
into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is
if your new Master gives it unto you. A freedom that is given can also
be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom." With that, I tore up the
napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. "This is the
nature of your new health care legislation."

I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation
and was surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly
entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you Sir,
these kids don't understand Liberty these days." He refused to allow me
to pay my bill as he said, "You earned this one, it is an honor to
pickup the tab." I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant
somewhat humbled, and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.


Use reason, it is the closest you are going to get to Godly
conduct
Clifford A. Wright