A Tale of Two Fathers: A Political Parable

5/11/2009

There were two men, living on the same street who became fathers within a short timespan of each other.

The first man was wealthy and did everything he could to make life seamless for his son. He gave him all the latest toys and gadgets. He donated large sums of money to his schooling so that his son would have access to the top programs. When his son graduated, he worked his network of colleagues to make sure his son landed a great job. At one point, his son lost his job when the economy went south, and the father paid off every debt and lavished money on his son to make sure his unemployment period would be as painless as possible. Soon, the boy found work again and life went on as usual.

The second man was not well off, like the first man. He couldn't afford to give his son as much, but he worked hard to make ends meet and spent as much time as he could with his boy. He couldn't afford to send his son to the best schools, but he encouraged his son to get the best grades possible and spent every evening helping him with his studies. He didn't have the same sort of connections, but he encouraged his son to make calls and contacts of his own and applauded him found a job and encouraged him to work hard. When the economy went south, his son was also laid off, but he didn't have any money to pay off his son's debts. So he took his son to the bank and they worked out a plan with one of the loan officers that would help his son avoid credit problems, while giving him the flexibility to look for more work.

Both of these fathers loved their sons very much.

But one day... tragedy stuck.
An earthquake destroyed the street that both men lived on and they both perished.

Which of the two sons was more prepared for life after the passing of their fathers?

Jamie link

5/11/2009 05:58:58

I'm not sure I understand how this is a political parable for America today, but perhaps it's a general suggestion about two views on the responsibility of government, neither of which corresponds very well to ours?

For instance, the government might want us to have the best schools but it either can't afford it or doesn't understand what to look for when defining "good schools." The government also does not help with anyone's homework or pay off people's personal debts. It has set up programs to encourage banks to work with its customers to help them along in their situation, which is in line with the actions of the second father. It provides unemployment benefits to those who have lost jobs because of a down economy, but it by no means "lavishes money on [the unemployed] to make sure [their] unemployment period [will] be as painless as possible."

And now we see why parables frustrate my mind.

The second son.

Nathan link

5/11/2009 12:44:40

@Jamie

Another downside of this parable is that it doesn't take into consideration any other elements other than the two fathers. What about the mothers? What about the two boys themselves- are they interested in their own success? Are they motivated? Are they equally abled?

I'm not going to post an answer to what I think this parable is about- because that's not the point. Parables are mostly just to get us thinking about things and talking about them.

Mr. Salk link

5/18/2009 12:17:31

The wealthy debt free son with the superior education and a network of his father’s colleagues will fare better.

I didn’t take the predatory home loan I was offered. I now pay more in rent than my bailed-out peers do for their mortgages. Responsibility doesn’t get you ahead in America.

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A Tale of Two Fathers: A Political Parable

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