March 24, 1997

Campaign Reform and the Dispersion of Power

Who has political power? In the United States today it would not be particularly difficult to find reputable persons who believe that elections have been determined by a publisher or a union president or a wealthy donor or a popular entertainer or a lawyer or a community organizer or some other influential person. Political power is scattered across the countryside, but it is not scattered evenly, so there are many demands for government to redistribute it. The following parable may help remind us of certain truths about political power.

1 A man had three sons, and when they became of age they went into the world.

2 And in that same city, a woman had three daughters likewise, and when they became of age they went into the world.

3 And the three sons and the three daughters had divers talents; and there was in that city a widow who was known for her much learning and good works.

4 The oldest son was a man of learning and of letters, and he wrote words that persuaded many, and he was given gold and great esteem.

5 The oldest daughter was a woman who labored in the fields, and after laboring in the fields for seven years she organized the other laborers and they gave her strict heed.

6 The middle son had a gift, and he took those persons in the land who were of years more than three score and five and he made of them a mighty force, even unto the thousands and tens of thousands.

7 The middle daughter was skilled in the marketplace, and her honesty and skill brought her much gold; and her name was Rachel, and she loved her land and its ways.

8 Now, the youngest son was a lawyer who was much esteemed in the courts of the land for his ways with words.

9 And the youngest daughter was pleasing to the eye and to the ear and she sang

and danced and pleased many who gave her regard, and she had gold and much fame.

10 Now the rulers of that land decreed that no person should give much gold to any person who aspired to high office, and they decreed that no person should spend much gold "in support of or in opposition to" any person who aspired to high office.

11 And the widow who was known for her much learning and good works said in her heart, "How is it that the rulers should make such a decree?" And she feared that the decree would enlarge the reign of the rulers.

12 And she said in her heart, "I know a man with three sons and a woman with three daughters, and they have divers talents, but the decree of the rulers regards them not equally.

13 "For the oldest son, who is a man of learning and of letters, is not prejudiced by the decree of the rulers and his words will continue to persuade many.

14 "And the oldest daughter will yet have great sway with the laborers, for they give her strict heed.

15 "And the second son still has his mighty force, yea even his thousands and tens of thousands; and the youngest son yet remains esteemed in the courts for his ways with words.

16 "And the youngest daughter has found favor in the eyes and ears of the rulers and they regard her highly and she sings for them.

17 "But Rachel alone is punished because she has not the gifts of the others.

18 "Her sisters are not punished, but enhanced, by the decree of the rulers, for the sisters will have even more power after the decree than before.

19 "And the sons are not punished, but enhanced, by the decree of the rulers, for the sons will have even more power after the decree than before.

20 "But Rachel alone is punished.

21 "Yet not Rachel alone, for I, a poor widow who am regarded for my much learning and good works, am unable to know which way I should turn because the decree of the rulers has made fewer voices in the land and dimmer, though other voices are enhanced."

22 And when this parable had been spoken, all those who heard it wondered at that land.