As the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. movement continued to gain momentum, the country was experiencing a series of transformations. The obvious change was in the physical structure of the nation; as the "power" centers were all but obliterated, there was a new 'power" base at the local levels. Store managers, bank officers, government bureaucrats, and business supervisors used to taking "orders from headquarters" now were left to fend for themselves, make decisions of their own, and operate more like the typical "mom and pop shops" from the past. Complete corporate hierarchies had been eliminated. Countless management 'tiers' no longer existed. Executive suites, corporate board rooms, and glitzy 'national' headquarters were all but abandoned. Most businesses were operating on a cash basis, dealing with local suppliers (instead of trucking in goods from halfway across the country). Selections were limited, but life went on. No one was lacking basic essentials. Even in the most devastated regions of the country, volunteers had brought in food, water, medicine, clothing and building materials.
Government services were being dispensed at the local levels, without the need for cumbersome bureaucratic red tape. It was a simpler way of life, where residents of communities depended on each other instead of being tied to some far-away "head office" that communicated with faxes, e-mails and FedEx packages.
In St. Kitts, new memberships in the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. organization were being processed as quickly as humanly possible. Lime green "membership kits" were sent to those who asked to join, whether they'd sent any financial donation or not. Included in the kits were brochures outlining the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. mission, explaining why the organization believed its 'Rebellion of '08' was necessary, and encouraging new members to get involved. One such member from Unalakleet, Alaska sent a one-page story about two horses, which ultimately ended up as part of the membership kit because it visualized the spirit of what O.U.T.R.A.G.E. envisioned for a new America:
"Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car - or are walking by - you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse, you will see that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This, alone, is amazingly benevolent.
If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a small bell.
Looking around for the source of the sound, you'll see that it comes from the other, smaller horse in the field. The bell is snugly attached to her halter. It lets her blind companion know where she is at all times, so that he can follow her.
As you stand and watch these two equistrian friends, you'll notice how she is always checking on him. He will listen for her bell and then slowly walk toward the sound, trusting that she will not lead him astray or put him in danger. Faithful to her blind friend, she remains steadfastly 'blind' to his flaws and shortcomings; instead, she sees only his strengths, and values his friendship. She recognizes that she is the more fortunate one, and sharing her good fortune is the best gift she can give. She gives timelessly, and tirelessly, of her support, love, guidance and assistance.
When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind - and making she he hears her bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or face challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we're in need. Sometimes we're the blind horse being guided by that little ringing bell from those whom God has placed in our lives to help us, protect us, and befriend us. Other times, we're the guide horse, helping others to see and be safe.
Good friends are like this....you don't always see them, but you know they're always there.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
The article was printed on a parchment paper, suitable for framing. A note was always attached that read, "As a new member of Oppressed United Taxpayers Revolting Against Government Excess, please display this as a constant reminder that our nation must share its great wealth - not only with those in our communities and within our national borders, but also with those around the world. Thank you for your contribution to our peaceful endeavors."
O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had executed all the war-mongers, "greed heads", power brokers, self-absorbed, and bad influences in the contemporary American society. Now, America's promise was being returned to the 'common' people, those who worked hard to make an honest living, contributed to their communities, and provided a more moral code of conduct for youth to follow.
The powerful dominance of the Bush and Kennedy dynasties was over. "Big" wasn't better anymore. Amoral, self-grandiose pontificating was no longer the measure of a man's success or stature. Waste just for the sake of waste was no longer something to be arrogant display. Man's pompous attitudes toward those of presumed lesser significance was no longer something to be tolerated. As America's founding fathers had intended, there would be equality for all.
The 'new' United States of America was about to embark on the greatest social-political experiment since the birth of the American democracy: from now on, power would be in the hands of the 'common' people.....from now on Americans would pay more attention to, and have more respect for, its downtrodden, homeless, hungry, poor, disadvantaged, elderly, sick, addicted, unemployed, underemployed, disabled, and plain.....even its blind horses.