The story of Governmentville. Be prepared to write notes and pay attention. Believe it or not, the story has a point!

The characters for the story include-- Farmer Bill Milkshake And some pigs

Let’s begin the story.

Imagine a farm in a far away country… We’ll call that country Governmentville.

On that farm lived a farmer. We’ll call him Bill. Hi Bill. Hi 6 th graders!

Now the country of Governmentville had gone through many changes. Right, Bill? Right!

When the country first started we were under the control of a dictator. It was awful. Why’s that Bill?

Well, for one, the dictator ruled as an absolute power. What’s that mean?

That means that he claims his power was given to him by god. Did he also run an unlimited government?

Yes, he did. An unlimited government is where all power belongs to the ruler but the ruler doesn’t have to follow the laws. How so?

Well, for example, a few years ago I used to have this cow.

I called her Milkshake because she liked to dance.

Anyway, the ruler of our country made a law that said no one could drink milk on Wednesday’s

But every Wednesday he would come and drink a glass of milk in front of us farmers.

So that is what I mean by unlimited government. The rules didn’t apply to the ruler.

Now usually an unlimited government does much worse then just drinking milk. Like what?

Well they may raise taxes, take land or create other unfair laws that they don’t have to follow. Oh.

This type of government is also known as a totalitarian government. I see.

Students I suggest you write down a brief summary of what an unlimited government, totalitarian, and dictatorship is on your note sheet. OK times up let’s continue.

Well, we decided to overthrow the ruler and gain our freedom. So what did you do?

Not exactly. Did it work? Why not?

Well after we over- threw the ruler a small group of the richest farmers took power. They did?

Yep. We didn’t think anything of it. They said that they knew how to run the country fairly.

They did at first but then the whole unlimited government problem arose. Did they? How?

Well you see I also raise pigs on my farm. So?

Well, this group of rich people didn’t like pigs and made laws against owning them.

It gets worse. They then found out that pigs were worth more money then cows. That doesn’t sound fair!

Well I’ll tell you. What happened then?

They made laws against us owning pigs, but they had pigs. That government doesn’t sound much better then a dictatorship. What was it called?

It was known as an oligarchy. That’s where a few rich powerful people make all the decisions.

An oligarchy, I’ll have to remember that one. You do that.

And I suggest y’all take some time to write down a brief idea of what an oligarchy is on your note sheet.

What happened to the oligarchy? Let me tell you. Do you have a minute? Sure.

What happened was one of the farmers got greedy and wanted more and more power.

He imprisoned all the other powerful farmers and declared himself king of Governmentville So what did he do?

I know what you’re thinking. And you guys let him?

That we must be a couple of fools if we let another person gain control like that. What’s that?

Well for your information we didn’t let that happen. You said it, not me.

Yep. He became king of Governmentville. That’s good.

You’re interrupting. So you did let it happen? Sorry.

A government where one person is in charge is known as a monarchy. But was it still an unlimited government?

I’m getting to that. Oh, sorry.

That’s O.K.

Yes and no. So Governmentville has a monarchy?

Well we had a monarchy for a few years. What?

But the king died and his son took control. But?

Yes, but his son was really dumb and wanted to make all types of rules. That’s what usually happens in a monarchy.

Yep and we realized that being an unlimited government wasn’t good. Uh oh…

We all got together and sat the king down and made him sign a charter. So what did you do?

It said that any laws that the king made would have to be followed by everyone—including the king himself. What did the charter say?

It also said that all the farmers would have a say on decisions being made.

So we went from an unlimited government to a limited government.

You’re interrupting again. So you have a monarchy with a limited government? Sorry.

Sort of. We called it a constitutional monarchy. And that means?

It means the king has to follow the rules that the farmers agree upon. Did it work?

Soon after the king signed the charter, he tried to break it. Uh oh!

Well, we knew better and we overthrew him. So who gained control?

We all did for awhile. What?

Since we couldn’t decide who should be in charge we decided that everyone should vote on any decisions that were made.

But before I go into that let’s have our friends write a brief definition of a monarchy and a limited government down.

Where was I? Oh yeah, I was talking about voting on every issue that was going to take place.

Interrupting! Yeah that sure did seem like a lot of work! Sorry!

It was. We were constantly going to meetings and voting on issues: many I didn’t care about but some I did.

It was known as a direct democracy. That’s where all citizens vote on every issue. What type of government was that?

Usually a democracy is where the people have a say in what decisions are made. But the time involved is large.

Yes! Over time our farms began to be neglected because of all the voting. That’s not good!

Nope. We decided to switch to another form of government that we had heard about in the United States. What was that?

It is known as a representative democracy or republic, for short. How does it work?

We elect people to vote for us. Forever?

No, only for a few years. That way if they break their promise we can elect someone new. Sounds good!

It’s worked so far. What about a leader?

We elect him as well. Our current leader is named Chad Hanging. I heard about that election.

Yeah. We had some problems counting the votes from the southern part of Governmentville but eventually we sorted it out.

Now he is the president of Governmentville. How has he done?

Just fine. At times he has had to raise taxes, but our elected officials kept us informed to why and how much. Sounds like it’s working.

For now. The important thing is that everyone votes. In some countries everyone can vote, but they don’t take advantage of it. You’re kidding!

No, I’m not. Take the United States, for example. What about them?

In the last election many people didn’t vote. So?

Well, then when they are unhappy with something that happens they complain but do nothing about it. Oh, I see.

O.K. But what do you say we let the students do it? Let’s recap the types of government…

O.K.

First question. Who can tell me the difference between a limited and an unlimited government?

Next question. What is something a dictator may do in an unlimited government?

What can the citizens of a country do if their leader is ruling unfairly?

What type of government is it where a small group of people have the power?

What problems can arise in an oligarchy?

How can an unlimited government become a limited government?

Looks like Milkshake has some questions.

Yes, I do.

What type of government allows everyone to vote on every issue?

What type of problems are there with this type of government?

Does the United States have a limited or unlimited government?

How can a country react to a leader that is unfair in a republic?

O.K.! Enough questions!

Yes, but can I tell a joke before I get moooving along?

O.K., but if it’s as bad as that last one I’m having hamburgers for dinner!

Why didn’t the chicken cross the road?

Why?

Because he lived under a dictator!

Get it? Dictator? Not being able to do anything?

Ha! Ha! Ha! Just call me David Hefferman!

I’m out of here!

Me, too. Need to go heat up the grill.

This presentation is in the memory of Milkshake. Boy, she tasted good.