Golden Horns
My Uncle Charlie, who has been a political activist--he helped organize the waterfront in San Francisco--told me the story of the Golden Horns. Once there was a kingdom so small that all of the citizens could fit in the king's courtyard. The rich and the poor were all there, and it was said that this was a country with a fair system of government because everyone could vote. The King's Vizier came out and read the resolution to be voted on. He read, "Be it resolved, that the poor people shall pay all of the taxes, and the rich people shall pay none." "All those in favor," he bellowed, "Raise your golden horns and blow." And all the rich people raised their golden horns and blew in a long, powerful note. The King's Vizier went on. "All those opposed," he said, "Raise your golden horns and blow." Not a sound was heard, for the poor people had no golden horns.