the republic and the spirit of independence. As he spoke, Dorothy could
hear ever so softly the strain of the beautiful music of the National
Anthem. An unseen angelic choir began to sing the words, followed by
/America the Beautiful/ and /God Bless America/. Tears came into
Dorothy's eyes and flowed unashamedly down her cheeks as a great love
for her country welled up inside her. The entire scene was just too much
for her to bear. As she dabbed her eyes she could hear President Jackson
saying, "...and now, gentlemen, before we begin our meeting, allow me to
introduce our very distinguished guests. This is Dorothy Gale from
Kansas. And with her are her friends from Oz: Nick Chopper, the
Scarecrow, and the Lion. They are all on a very important mission. They
are trying to bring Light and Love to people who need it the most. Their
present assignment is a lost soul who is filled with bitterness and
hatred. Let us wish them well in their noble endeavor."
Everyone stood and clapped his hands vigorously. Dorothy was filled with
emotion. To have all the presidents of the United States stand and
applaud her and her friends was just too much for her. She shook her
head slowly, as if to say, "What we are doing is nothing compared to
what you gentlemen are doing."
As if reading her thoughts, President Jackson raised his hand to quiet
the applause. "You know, Dorothy," he said, "you may feel that what you
and your friends are attempting to do doesn't warrant much admiration.
But believe me, you have the admiration of all the enlightened souls of
the universe. For what you are attempting is no easy task. To reverse
the attitude of one filled with such hatred and venom is not only
extremely difficult, but very dangerous. It takes a great deal of
courage to do this work. So many keep to themselves and make no attempt
to help those of little understanding. That is why we express our
admiration for you. We love you all very much. It is you and others like
you who are the hope of America, and of the rest of the world.
"To be good is not always popular, and you can be savagely persecuted
for your goodness. This brings a great deal of pressure upon the young
people. The ones who can maintain their goodness in spite of the social
pressure to be drawn to the lower levels of expression are to be
commended indeed; and all of us who are working to raise the level of
consciousness of mankind will be working with these courageous children,
for they are the true heroes. They are the ones that should be looked up
to. They are the ones whose behavior should be emulated. And those
adults who do anything to influence the minds of children in negative
ways; whether it be by the spoken word, written page, or the camera --
woe unto them. If they could only see what lies in store for them, they
would change their ways very quickly. Unfortunately, most will have to
learn the hard way. And believe me, it will be hard for them and for
others who insist on staying on those low levels of consciousness.
Evolution for these people could come to a screeching halt; and they may
have to begin the difficult climb all over again. You see, the earth is
coming into a New Age. A Golden Age. And those who are refusing to
evolve spiritually will not be allowed to share in this Golden Age, for
they have not earned the right. But sad to say, few will recognize the
need to change their ways.
"As for the people who introduce our precious young people into alcohol
or drugs, or who make such dross readily available to children: Nothing
can save them except an immediate stop to this activity, and the
devotion of their lives to helping those who have had their lives torn
apart by this despicable material. The same can be said about those who
promote hate for others, simply because they are of a different race,
creed, or religion.
"Man-made laws may be escaped from, but the universal law cannot be.
That in itself is a universal law.
"Imagine if you will, a criminal on the earth having all of his criminal
activities automatically recorded into your court records -- no matter
whether he was caught or not. Well, that is how it is with universal
law. No one escapes his misdeeds. All must be accounted for. But I am
afraid, Dorothy, that if the people on earth were told this; they would,
for the most part, merely scoff -- they just would not believe it. And so
they go on in ignorance, thinking that they are getting away with
something. They are like children growing up who will not listen to
their parents -- they have to learn the hard way."
Dorothy nodded her head thoughtfully.
"Well," continued President Jackson, "we must press on with our agenda."
He motioned towards President Washington. "Would you like to take over,
George? I've talked long enough."
"Thank you, Andrew. I'll be glad to. But I don't think anyone could talk
long enough on the subject of child abuse -- and mankind's general
ignorance of universal law.
"As you know, gentlemen, we have offtimes discussed the ills that plague
society. And especially the activities which hurt the United States. The
question I now pose to you is: How can we solicit help from the people
themselves?"
"Well," someone said, "we do bring certain ones over here while their
physical body is resting."
"Yes," agreed President Washington. "And we are able to achieve much.
But often commitments made here are not carried out, simply because they
are not consciously remembered. Mortal influences often inhibit the best
of intentions. No -- what we need is help from the children."
"How can we achieve that?" asked President Jackson. President Washington
thought for a moment. "The children's book our Girrephalump friend
mentioned would tell of Dorothy's experiences in Oz and about all of us
and what we are trying to accomplish. Such a book would not only be
enjoyed by the children, it would serve to uplift them and inspire them
to work together to improve the world they were born into."
"But we all know how hard it is to change public sentiment -- to change
people's way of thinking. And if such a book were to be written, people
would not believe it. They would simply see the whole thing as a fantasy."
"Perhaps most adults would not believe," replied President Washington.
"But the children will. Children know when something is true. Adults
have suffered too much from learning. They don't believe in anything
unless they can see it, hear it, touch it, taste it, or smell it. Our
only hope is the children. If we can just get the word to them, they
will listen and they will understand.
"Collectively, the children have tremendous power. If we can win most of
them over, they could boycott the negative images presented by adults
through so many mediums. They could stand up en masse against the
creatures who would push those destructive nightmarish drugs on them.
"The children can wield a great power over the adults who wish to draw
them into negativity. They have been pushed around and manipulated for
too long simply because they are small and easily influenced.
"They must stand up and be counted, and say to these adults, 'You cannot
make me read or hear your despicable words, or see your despicable
images, or take your despicable drugs or alcohol or tobacco. We refuse
to be manipulated any more. Your greed for money allows you to do things
to hurt us. That greed has overwhelmed any feelings of compassion and
love you might have had. You don't care if you hurt us, as long as you
make your filthy money. Even you adults who own legitimate businesses
who make certain /'medicines'/ and other products which you know can
hurt people. You are equally guilty. We will not buy your products, and
as we grow up we will not give you money for all these things and we
will teach our children to do the same. We children can change the
world. We children will change the world. When there is no more money to
be made from all these things, you adults will cease the activities
forever. Then the world will be a beautiful place to live in. And we
will be proud because we will have done it. We children will have turned
the world around by ourselves. And all the other inhabitants of the
universe will be proud of us and they will visit us and help us.'"
President Washington stood and threw out his arms. "That is what these
children will say, my friends. They will show unscrupulous adults that
they no longer have any power over them."
Everyone stood and clapped loudly. "Hear, hear!" they shouted as they
applauded.
President Jackson turned to Dorothy. "Will you do it, Dorothy? Will you
tell your story?"
"I will indeed," said Dorothy. "I certainly will."
Everyone clapped again. "Good girl," said President Jackson. "We have
accomplished a great deal already, and our meeting has barely begun.
Would you like to continue, George?"
"Thank you, Andrew," nodded President Washington. He stood and began to
speak again. "Gentlemen, as you know, I fought for seven long years with
my brave men to weather the tyranny of the English monarchy. When the
war was over, I surrendered my authority as Commander of the American
Forces to Congress, and I retired to my home at Mount Vernon. I had
scarcely returned to private life when the clash of civil strife broke
our newfound peace. Rumors of rebellion, talk of monarchy, and schemes
for military dictatorship alarmed me. I then urged the formation of a
strong government, not by the scepter or the sword, but by discussion,
propositions, and ratification. To this end I accepted membership in the
Constitutional Convention of 1787. I presided over its deliberations and
acted as conciliator behind the scenes. My friends pressed me to lend
the weight of my name to the Federal experiment agreed upon. So I
accepted the presidency, and for eight years devoted my energies to the
new civil administration. I took great care to install as members of my
cabinet men loyal to the new order. Under my administration the federal
judicial system was created. We arranged to pay our revolutionary debts,
a protective tariff was enacted, the first United States bank was
established, and encouragement was given to commerce. We were on our way."
President Adams spoke up: "There was much turmoil in those days. I was,
as you know, vice-president during George's two terms. Thomas, here,
returned from France to serve as Secretary of State. He later assumed
the position of vice-president with me, and four years later replaced me
as chief executive. We did not always see eye to eye then, but we did
later become good friends. And curiously, we both died on the same day,
July fourth, 1826."
"Oh yes, I remember it well," smiled President Jefferson.
"Do you remember when you first drafted the Constitution of the United
States?" said President Washington.
"Yes. That was an exciting time for me," replied President Jefferson.
"Which brings us to the next point. It's quite interesting to hear the
discussions revolving around various interpretations of the Constitution."
"People seem to read into it what they wish to believe. It would be nice
to be able to go back and explain some of the fine points. I don't think
the wording of the Constitution leaves any room for doubt," said
President Washington. "If people would only read it objectively, without
bringing their own emotions and self interest into their interpretation."
"So true," sighed President Jefferson, shaking his head slowly. "But
isn't it human nature to see things as we want to see them?"
"Indeed," said President Jackson. "Legislators have much to learn in
this regard. It is ironic that once elected to power, the voters who
brought about the election are often forgotten. The will of the
legislature is quickly substituted for the will of the people. Any law
of the land which is unpopular with the majority of the people should be
seriously reviewed, and repeal strongly considered. The government is,
after all, the servant of the people. Unfortunately, many government
members see themselves as rulers of the people, and feel that they must
think for the people. The intelligence of the masses is often
underestimated. Government tends to think of itself as a superior body."
"Yes," replied President Jefferson. "I cannot disagree with you. But
remember, also, that the bills which are passed are not the same bills
as were originally drafted. They have been revised to satisfy various
special interest groups, and have special interest clauses tacked on the
end just before being voted on. The people often get the short end of
the stick; and the bottom line is that the taxpayer pays the bill. The
taxpayer should have more control on how his money is spent."
"But that is the reason for the elected officials," said President
Adams. "It would be too cumbersome for the taxpayer to study every issue
and vote intelligently on them. That is why he elects representatives to
study these things in depth; and to think and speak for him, and to vote
on his behalf."
"What it all boils down to," said President Washington, "is how devoted
and dedicated your elected representative is, and how much time and
energy he puts into doing the job you elected him to do as opposed to
how much time is put into politicking or serving those special interest
groups."
"Exactly!" exclaimed President Jackson. "Which brings us right back to
where we started. As was told to Dorothy in Elfland, any government -- no
matter what name is given to it -- is only as good as the sum total of
the individuals who make it up. If all of these individuals are honest
and devoted, dedicated servants of the people, the people will have a
fine government.
"I think we all agree on that. And although not all individuals who make
up the present United States government are of the highest integrity,
our basic system is still the best in the world. It remains only for us
to continue to help and guide these dedicated individuals, and to work
with those who are not quite as dedicated or as honest as they should
be, in order that we might uplift their level of consciousness."
Everyone applauded vigorously.
President Washington next addressed President Lincoln with a comment
that he hadn't been saying much, and he thought there should be some
discussion on the merits of elected as opposed to appointed officials.
President Lincoln stood. He smiled kindly at President Washington.
"Sometimes silence is stronger than the spoken word. I concurred in what
was being said, and I didn't feel I could add to it. Why clutter up the
proceedings with a lot of unnecessary rhetoric? As for the
elected/appointed question, I think we should save that for our next
meeting. I've a feeling it will be a very long discussion."
"Well said," acknowledged President Washington. "Too many of us
politicians talk too much. But of course that fact is not entirely
unknown to the general public."
Everyone laughed.
At this point President Madison interceded: "Forgive me for
interrupting, Mr. President, but I think we need to address the problem
of elected officials as a whole. How can we be sure of electing only
those who have the best interests of our beloved country at heart?"
"I think herein lies the problem," said President Adams. "Everyone has
his own opinion as to whether or not a given policy is within our
country's best interests. Who is to be the supreme authority on the matter?"
"If there were only two people left on earth, there would be a
difference of opinion," said President Lincoln. "Therein lies the
uniqueness of mankind."
"How can we be sure," said President Adams, "that this difference of
opinion will never become so great that it would again divide our
beloved country into warring factions?"
"We can never be sure of that," said President Lincoln. "There are those
that would try to divide us in order to conquer us -- that they may force
their system of government upon us. A system of government where,
unfortunately, freedom of the people is not the highest priority."
"Gentlemen!" said President Madison. "Doesn't it all boil down to what
we said earlier? That it all begins with the children. If they were
taught from a very young age the importance of high moral principles,
they would grow up with these high ideals inside of them, and those
elected to office would be there to serve all the people in a fair and
equitable manner that would not, for example, bend to pressure, or the
offer of monetary gain from the special interest groups." Everyone
nodded in agreement. President Madison went on: "As you know, I served
for two terms of office. Prior to that I served Tom here as his
Secretary of State. They were troubled times then, and I could foresee
that our country would face many problems in the future. Many social
problems. I felt then, as I do now, that America's hope -- the hope of
the world -- lies along the path of honesty, integrity, and justice. It
is the only way. And those who would follow another path are traitors,
not only to their countrymen, but to all mankind." Everyone applauded
loudly as several voices interjected with, "Hear, hear," "Well said,"
"So true," et cetera.
"You know," said President Monroe, "if all people of the United States
could see us now, to see that we are all still alive, and how very
concerned we are about our beloved country and the rest of the world, I
wonder if many of them would change their thinking. Especially if they
knew that they, too, would not really die."
"I think they will change," said President Adams. "When they see that
the short life given to them on earth is not given to see how much
property and money they can amass, but is given to allow them the
opportunity for spiritual growth, and in order that they might leave
that earthly world a better place for those that come after them. Of
course, if a fortune happens to be made while making the earth a better
place and making life better for their fellow men, all well and good."
"But so many put the making of a fortune their first and foremost
objective. It is such an obsession for many that they don't care who is
hurt or that the world will be worse off for them having lived there.
These people often are miserable and lonely, Their vast fortunes of
little comfort to them. They come into this realm with no money
physically, of course -- and paupers spiritually. They are a sorry sight
to behold, indeed. As you know, after we arrive here, we reflect upon
our life in great detail. So, when these people contemplate all they
have done with their lives and compare that with all that they could
have done, they practically cry out for the chance to do it over, for
the chance to make amends. But it is too late. They must live with their
memories. As we all know, they will eventually be given the chance to
make amends. However, all of what they did could have been avoided if
they could have known in advance what the results would be."
"Oh, they knew all right," said President Lincoln. "We all knew prior to
our birth on earth, but our desire for mortal expression is so strong
that our higher self is delegated to a place deep in our unconscious so
that it won't interfere with what we wish to do mortally. We cannot
blame our actions on a lack of knowledge. No, any action we take on
earth is of our own volition. We must accept total responsibility. And,
as we all know, Universal or Karmic Law will eventually balance the
scale.... How soon we choose to learn our lessons, or how long we wish
to prolong the agony is entirely up to us."
"When Dorothy returns to Kansas and tells her story; and when her book
is published, many people will be reminded," said President Anderson.
"But they have been reminded before," said President Adams. "How many
great teachers have come and gone? Yet the world goes on with its
foolishness and its wickedness."
"Can you imagine how much worse conditions would be in the world had
these masters not lived?" replied President Anderson. "Many people did
listen to the wisdom of the masters, and changed their lives
accordingly. Even today, their great works are studied, and the way of
life advocated by them is practiced by thousands of good people all over
the world."
"That is indeed true," replied President Adams. "But while the religious
writings of today contain many pearls of wisdom and are most helpful in
keeping one on the spiritual path; the governing body of the clergy of
the various ages held back from the people the inner knowledge in order
to maintain the power of the church: thus assuring their own, and the
church's financial integrity and security.
"Much of what the great spiritual masters actually said has become
distorted over the years and key parts of their doctrine deliberately
withheld. The ministers of today have no written record of those lost
teachings and so do not believe that they ever existed.
"If people were to realize their true relationship to the Source of all
knowledge and all power and that they themselves were an integral part
of that source, they would be amazed. They have no idea that they are
divine beings in their own right, with no need for an intermediary.
"It is not in the best interests of the established church to teach
this, even if the ministers and priests believed it themselves. For the
church would lose its hold over the masses and therefore lose much of
its power. Far better to keep the people in ignorance, and make the path
to salvation a very narrow one.
"Reincarnation, as we all know, hasn't been taught by the church for
centuries. Wasn't it in Constantinople in the sixth century that the
church fathers decided that it would not be wise to retain the doctrine
of reincarnation in the Holy Scriptures for fear that the people would
not see the need to go to church if they knew they had many
opportunities many lives in which to make amends? But the church thought
it far better to teach that man only had one life. Only one chance to
repent.
"The church had nothing to fear if they had only realized it. But they
were afraid that if the people were to know that they did not only have
one chance to repent their wicked ways they would say, 'Why should I
change? I will live forever regardless.'
"But it would have been better for the church to teach men the truth.
And to teach that as long as the children of God refuse to change they
will simply be prolonging their agony through many lifetimes, and
keeping what could be a delightful planet in a permanent state of
agitation and misery.
"It takes many lifetimes for a soul to work its way out of the mortal
environment once entrapped there. For one's own mortal mind is the
biggest obstacle to overcome."
"I cannot disagree with anything you've said," President Lincoln
intercepted. "I had trouble accepting the orthodox teaching myself. I
had to modify my thoughts on the matter because of my position at the time.