Once upon a time there lived a vain Vice-President
Once upon a time there lived a vain Vice-President whose only worry in life was to be president. He changed his opinions, to match what the voter wanted to hear, almost every hour and loved to show off to his constituents.
Word of the Vice-President's defined habit spread over his party and beyond. So the Democrats decided, "Let's run him for President of this great country".
It was a close race and came down to one state, but to no avail. It looked like the Vice-President must concede to the Governor of Texas. But, two scoundrels who had heard of the Vice-president's vanity decided to take advantage of it. They introduced themselves at the gates of the White House with a scheme in mind.
"We are two very good Lawyers and after many days of research we have invented an extraordinary method to win you the Presidency of this great country. As a matter of fact it is invisible to anyone who is too stupid and incompetent to appreciate its quality."
The Democratic Campaign Manager heard the scoundrel's strange story and sent for the Campaign Organizer of the Vice-President. The organizer notified the Vice-President's Running mate, who ran to the Vice-President and disclosed the incredible news. The Vice-President's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to see the two scoundrels.
"Besides being so hansom, your president, this Law will be woven in legality and by-laws created especially for you." The Vice-President gave the two men a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric, of the laws immediately.
"Just tell us what you need to get started and we'll give it to you." The two scoundrels asked for a loom of Lawyers, gold to line their pockets and then pretended to begin working. The Vice-President thought he had spent his money quite well; in addition to getting a new extraordinary Lawsuit, he would discover which of his constituents were ignorant and incompetent. A few days later, he called the old and wise Democratic Campaign Manager, who was considered by everyone as a man with common sense.
"Go and see how the work is proceeding," the Vice-President told him, "and come back to let me know."
The manager was welcomed by the two scoundrels.
"We're almost finished, but we need a lot more gold to line the Lawyer's Pockets. Here, manager! Admire the laws we have sown, see the softening of the people, to our cause!" The old man bent over the desk and tried to see the Legality that was not there. He felt cold sweat on his forehead.
"I can't see anything," he thought. "If I see nothing, that means I'm stupid! Or, worse, incompetent!" If the manager admitted that he didn't see anything, he would be discharged from his office.
"What a marvelous Loop hole in the law, he said then. "I'll certainly tell the Vice-President." The two scoundrels rubbed their hands gleefully. They had almost made it. More scheming was requested to finish the work.
Finally, the Vice-President received the announcement that the two Lawyers had come to take all the statements and leading the vain Vice-President in the plea, to sew his new lawsuit.
"Come in," the Vice-President ordered. Even as they entered, the two scoundrels pretended to be holding a large roll of petitions.
"Here it is Mr. President, the result of our labor," the scoundrels said. "We have worked night and day but, at last, the most beautiful documents in the world is ready for you. Look at the Legality and see how the by-laws are sown." Of course the Vice-President did not see any way this would help his case and could not see any way this would close the gape between him and his opponent, this presidency was slipping between his fingers. He panicked and felt like fainting. But luckily the Democratic Campaign Manager was right behind him and he sat down. But when he realized that no one could know that he did not see the logic, he felt better. Nobody could find out he was stupid and incompetent. And the Vice-President didn't know that everybody else around him thought and did the very same thing.
The farce continued as the two scoundrels had foreseen it. Once they had taken the requirements, the two writing and reformatting the document.
"Your President, you'll have to take this to the people." The two scoundrels handed the document to him and then held up a Thumbs-Up. The Vice-President was embarrassed but since none of his bystanders were, he felt relieved.
"Yes, this is a beautiful document and it looks very good to me," the Vice-President said trying to look comfortable. "You've done a fine job."
"Your President," the Democratic Campaign Manager said, "we have a request for you. The people have found out about this extraordinary Lawsuit and they are anxious to see your opinion of it." The Vice-President was doubtful about showing himself stupid to the people, but then he abandoned his fears. After all, no one would know about it except the ignorant and the incompetent.
"All right," he said. "I will grant the people this privilege." He summoned his car and the ceremonial parade was formed. A group of democrats walked at the very front of the procession and anxiously scrutinized the faces of the people in the street. All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. Applause welcomed the regal procession. Everyone wanted to know how stupid or incompetent his or her neighbor was but, as the Vice-President passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd.
Everyone said, loud enough for the others to hear: "Look at the New President. He is so wonderful!"
"What a marvelous man!"
"And the Legality and see how the by-laws are sown! The strength of his convection! I have never seen anything like it in my life." They all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the truth, and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, they all behaved as the two scoundrels had predicted.
A White House Page, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the Vice-President.
"Vice-President you must concede," he said.
"Fool!" his Democratic incumbents reprimanded, running after him. "Don't talk nonsense!" He grabbed his page and took him away. But the Page's remark, which had been heard by the bystanders, was repeated over and over again until everyone cried:
"The Page is right! The Vice-President must concede! It's true!"
The Vice-President realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He thought it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see him as president was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his fantasy, while behind him his Democratic Campaign Manager held his Campaign Poster.