The Lich Queen Muses

I just got to this really thinly veiled criticism of social programs in Wizard’s First Rule.  Like, he’s obviously framing this really unfair, horrible situation (the Queen and Darken Rahl are taking all the crops from the farmers to be used among their own ranks) as if it’s the same as governmental programs to help the poor.  Here’s a quote.  Warning: bad writing ahead!

“We here have all agreed that an alliance with our ally, Darken Rahl, will brink great benefits to all our people, that we all will profit, together.  That the little people, the workers, the farmers, will benefit the most.  That they will be freed from the oppression of those who would only exploit them for profit, for gold, for greed.  That from now on, we all will be working for the common good, not individual goals.” The Queen frowned.  ”Please tell all these ignorant lords and ladies” — she swept her hand around the room — “how it is that you are smarter than they, and why you should be allowed to work only for yourself, instead of your fellow man.”

The man had an angry look on his face.  Rachel wished he would change it, before he got in trouble.

“The common good,” he said, sweeping his hand around the room like the Queen had done, except his hands had chains on them.  ”This is what you call the common good?  All you fine people look to be enjoying the good food, the warm fire.  My children go hungry tonight because most of our crops have been taken, for the common good, for those who have decided not to bother to work, but to eat the fruit of my labor instead.”

The people laughed.

“And you would deny them food, simply because you are fortunate that your crops grew better?” the Queen asked.  ”You are a selfish man.”

“Their crops would grow better if they would plant seeds in the ground first.”

“And so you have so little care for your fellow man, that you therefore would condemn them to starve?”

“My family starves!  To feed others, to feed Rahl’s army.  To feed you fine lords and ladies, who do nothing but discuss and decide what to do with my crop, how to divide the product of my labor among others.  […] Odd, isn’t it, now that all the farmers, the workers in town, are all working for the common good, that there isn’t enough good to go around, like there used to be, or enough food.”