“It Preaches Well…” [Reflections On Todd's intro to Adam Smith's Book An Inquiry Into The Nature And Causes Of The Wealth Of Nations Indianapolis : Liberty Classics, 1981 (Vol.I and II) – end of Todd Intro]

The problem with old Adam Smith,
The intro-guy named Todd insists,
Is he is into metaphor,
With stats and history galore.

Today it’s “Propaganda” word
We use when someone drives are herd
Of sheep to “Baa”, “How great thou art”–
To draw such economic art.

That is, Smith wants to build a scheme,
Like Christmas tree with balls of that gleam
All ornamented up with trash
That otherwise, when dropped, would smash.

But as it’s decorative task,
The ornaments fulfill – when asked,
You strip the tree with Christmas done,
And gifts remain ’neath tree – what fun!

That’s helpful – unsubstantiated, this,
Like poetry and photo-kiss,
Like novels – pails to carry truth,
Not truth itself – but still of use.

You add to this he speaks into
A world now gone, his point of view
Is quite irrelevant today –
Pre-industry – he has to say –

Some concept-stuff spun from whole cloth;
From academe he cobbled lots
Of decorated of matter here,
To make his “Systems-thinking” clear.

The problem is, folks still believe
His fancy yarn here on the street;
A “System” brooks no hairline crack –
Say “Adam Smith” – and that is that.

Sure, he could see “How life played out”
In his own day and age – no doubt
His “Unity” (as base desire)
Still dazzles us – his work inspires.

But maybe, like a puzzle-piece
That’s missing, gives one sweet release
From tyranny of “Perfect yarn”–
It benefits, without the harm.

Folks in the West’s society
Believe this stuff (it baffles me),
But hide behind obscurity
To play their games elsewhere called “Greed”.

Smith’s fancy name is “Unseen hand”
At least that’s how they understand
It to play out – it’s not that smart,
Once one discerns Smith’s really “art”.

So, Lord, that’s helpful in its way,
To see this Scotsman people sway
With books, and “system” he worked out;
Thanks, Todd, for making room for doubt.

For, now perhaps, I can at last
Hear Smith for real, and have a blast
Enjoying his perspective here,
As he some insights now makes clear.

Thanks, Lord, for helping me to see
Smith’s place in this – it helps me be
More circumspect in yarns I spin
To free folks up to life begin.

I like Cree use of “Story” here –
It “Opens up”, makes concepts clear,
But sets the listener free to choose
Insights You give (not freedom lose).

For propaganda tightens down
The clamps on other folks around;
I’m gullible, believe in hope,
Susceptible – time I awoke.

And in Todd’s intro I can see
That “Metaphor” can set folks free
From bondage to part-truth that’s shared,
As folks have Kingdom-layer prepared.

Thanks Lord for this.

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