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We’re Off to See the Wizard

Part 2

By Claude Bohn

          Last time, in Part 1, I filled you in on the story behind the story of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz;” and you learned that the fairy tale was actually a political allegory concerning the debate over the money standard*. In this article, I would like to attempt my own allegory regarding this classic tale.

[  *Note: The debate over the money standard has long since been laid to rest. Our own “wizards” in the Emerald City at Washington have solved our problems; by stealing our real money – BOTH gold AND silver – and giving us in return a bunch of ornately festooned pieces of starched linen; which are, in reality, nothing more than IOUs, or evidences of DEBT! ]

          As we all know, once Dorothy found herself transported to Munchkin Land, via a Kansas twister (and a bump on the head), her one overriding desire was to return home. Since no one there was able to tell her how to get back, she set off down the Yellow Brick Road, accompanied by her dog Toto - and, of course, the Ruby (silver) Slippers - to see the Wizard of Oz; he could help her! In fact, he was the only one who possibly could!

          Along the way she ran into some traveling companions. Each had their own desires and wishes, which they too became convinced the Wizard might grant to them, so they joined Dorothy on her perilous pilgrimage.

          Once at the Emerald City, Dorothy and her friends received a “make-over,” so that they would be “presentable” for an audience with the Great and Powerful Wizard. But, to their chagrin, the Wizard was much too busy to see them, even though they had endured so much danger and discomfort to bring themselves there. However, they eventually did gain an audience with the Great Wizard and, well, you know the rest.

          My point is this: Eventually, Dorothy and company come to learn that the Wizard is a fraud – a “humbug!” Actually, there is no “wizard,” he is merely a man, “a very bad man,” says Dorothy.  But, as with all great charlatans, the Wizard manages to redirect their anger and disappointment; and to redeem himself to them; and, in the process, he reveals the truth to one and all. They have had what they’ve sought all along! They didn’t need a “wizard”; they only needed to look to themselves for the solution to their problems! Dorothy summarizes the lessons she has learned from her experience. First, there’s no place like home, and, whatever she wants or needs, she can find, right in her own backyard!

          In a way, Dorothy and her friends are a lot like the American people – “good, but naïve”. So many of us, nowadays, are constantly looking to “the Wizard” (i.e. – the Government) to give us what we need and want. As Thomas Paine wrote, in his essay entitled: “Common Sense,” [we] “have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them.” And, as he also wrote: “… a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom.” – i.e., the status quo. [Emphasis in the quote are from the original.]

          Today, there is hardly any contingency in our lives for which we don’t first turn a longing eye towards our own “Emerald City” (i.e. – Washington, Frankfort, etc.). We hope that the “wizards” there will conjure up a solution to our every problem and grant our every wish. And, of course, the charlatans and humbugs in the “Emerald City” are only too happy to grant our requests – and to maintain our illusions; but their “services” come with a very high price indeed! A witch’s broom would seem cheap in comparison! It is high past time we pulled back the curtain of mystery, ignorance and illusion surrounding our own “wizards”. Maybe then we would see that they are not “wizards” at all but, rather, just men – “very bad men”. And we might come to realize, that they have no special, magical, or supernatural powers – except the power of our own ignorance and delusion. They have nothing to give us but what we already possess; and can “give” to us only by first taking from us! So close your eyes, and click your heels together three times; and just keep repeating to yourself, there’s no place like home; and most everything you need or want you will find, right in your own back yard!!

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