Everything was normal. Halloween was coming. First midterm elections. The hallmark of democracy. Let the people decide the rule of the people. It has been thus since our founding. You may not agree with the winner, but he or she played by the rules; acceptance was the rule. All adults get a vote. It took a long time for everyone to have a vote. Elections are a good thing. People watch with respect as power transfers peacefully. If we do not like the policies of our politicans we vote. A beautiful thing. No fear or favor democracy. Politicans campaign, tell us their plan; we decide if we want it. Then the hunger crept in. Quiet at first. Invisible at first. Imperceptible at first.

Money is power. The people had no money. Their elected leader spoke for them. ‘A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage,’ Hoover told us. The Depression came. People were hungry. People were sad. The President’s words were hollow. Business learned they could purchase influence. The elite learned they could have things their way. Lobbyists discovered many politicians had little money; they wanted more. The Hunger lurked in the shadows.

‘I must take care of my constituency,’ Mr. Politician said. ‘They are the ones who put me in office; I must heed their call,’ Mr. P said. ‘The Man in the Shadows does have some good ideas; it would not hurt to try some. I will think about it on my holiday to Bermuda,’ Mr. P mused. ‘My wife and kids deserve a good vacation; they suffer so that I can hold my high office,’ Mr. P laughed. ‘I need to move to the good gated community to ensure that I can reach the big donors. ‘ If you have no money, you have no power,’ Mr. P danced on one leg and then the other.

‘Religion mixed with politics is the answer, the TV Preacher extolled. ‘We must turn our government into a theocrachy,’ TP continued. ‘When our people are the decision makers christianity will be paramount and evil doers will shudder for their sins,’ TP laughed. ‘The saints of God have money a lot of money we will put it to good use electing those who believe like we do, ‘To all our friends we wish them well and all the rest can go to hell,’ TP said as he rocked and rolled on stage.

‘Trick or Treat the familiar looking Ghost said,’ the Old Man recounted. ‘I have been on Holiday but I am back,’ Familiar Ghost said. ‘I am the Familiar Ghost of Christmas Present,’ Familiar Ghost continued. ‘I have weilded much power and yet do from my hiding place,’ FG laughed. ‘My words hurt the Republic some say while others call me a Hero of the Cause,’ FG blinked.