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In last weeks Rappahannock News, there appeared two letters responding to my letter of the week before, quoting Chuang Tzu's story about the trainer of a fighting cock. In that story, trainer Chi repeatedly said his bird was not yet ready to fight because he was simply too conscious of his rivals to think independently for himself. It seems to me that George W. Bush's behavior has been identical to the cock's.
To the question suggested by the story- whether George W. Bush was ready to be a credible contender for the presidencytrainer Chi, I thought, would have replied, "Not yet!" So would I. But Edith Pond said she would have answered, "Not on your life!"
So we all three agree on the point; Edith Pond is simply more emphatic.
In the other letter, Jim Oyster places his trust on what he calls "the Biblical model," rather than on the enduring truths of Chinese philosophy. O.K.
From all accounts, both George W. Bush and Richard Cheney are multimillionaires. On this point, the operative Biblical authority if found in Matthew 19:24, where Jesus says: "And again I say unto you. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
So, it appears that the Republican candidates for both President and Vice President are doomed, Bible wise.
Now that we have all reached common ground, it is time to consider another matter.
Since the beginning of the primaries, George W. Bush has been touting his proposed across-the-board tax cut of $1.4 trillion over ten years- a tax cut that would overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest, increase the already monstrous disparity of wealth between rich and poor, and threaten new deficits and a possible recession if the economy should falter. Yet he clings to it with frantic determination, and lashes out at his opponent's more modest, and targeted tax relief proposal.
I am reminded once more of a reading from Chuang Tzu, a Taoist philosopher who lived 2,500 years ago, and who spoke truly.
Hui Tzu was Prime Minister of Liang. He was concerned that Chuang Tzu coveted his post and was intriguing to supplant him. But Chuang Tzu appeared before Hui of his own accord, and said:
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