The Sleeping Giant

There was once a giant.

He wanted nothing but food, water, and to live in peace with the people of the village and their leaders.

The problem is, the sleeping giant was so big and so strong that he scared the village leaders.

So they befriended him and kept him busy lifting rocks for the homes of their village.

And then when he was done they kept him busy by building a dam for the village.

And he was satisfied because he got some food and some water.

And that's all he wanted.

Then when he was done he noticed he kept getting less food and less water.

And wanted the same amount of food and water that he used to get.

So the village leaders said, fine, but you have to lift more rocks for our houses, and faster.

So he did.  And he got a little more food and water and every once in a while the villagers would talk to him.

And he like that because he felt wanted.

But then they talked to him less and less as time went on and he had to work more and more.

Of course, since he worked more and more he thought, why not ask for more.  He did and finally he got a fair share.

But the villagers needed water too and didn't want to share it and they really didn't like the giant.  Not smart enough for them, too ugly and too big and strong - he was a threat and he scared them.

So one day when he went to sleep, the village leaders gathered everyone around him and they tied him down.

He woke up and asked "why are you doing this?"

They said look over to the right and you'll see why.

So they tied down his left hand.

Look over to the left, and he did.

And they shackled his right hand.

And he lied there, not moving for years.  Every once in a while somebody would give him, a scrap of food and a taste of some water.

He would scream in agony but over and over again villagers would come by and read him stories about the evil "gays" and the "killer doctors" and the treasonous liberals -- stories that would lull him to sleep.

So as long as he got his stories and a little bit of water, he didn't mind lying there.  It was better than working the whole time.

So then one day another giant comes.

And they start again with her.  Except she worked harder than the tied up giant and faster for less water and less food.  But then even then she wanted more.  So they tied her up.

And it continued until one day in their groggy slumber they wake up and realize that they are stronger than the shackles holding them down.  

Eventually, that will happen.  To those of you who opposed CAFTA, we are that giant.  That giant represents the American worker and the others are our fellow workers in Mexico, Central America, China, wherever they may be.  

And maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon I guarantee you that sleeping giant will rise and god help those villagers who have been keeping him and her down.

I have been ill for the past twelve hours dwelling on this CAFTA vote.  I didn't sleep out of sheer anger and am having November 2nd flashbacks.  But eventually, I know it is not about individual politicians.  It is us who will change things and make them accountable.  Our day is not today but it is coming.