The Story of Mouseland: As told by Tommy Douglas in 1944

It's the story of a place called Mouseland. Mouseland was a place where all the little mice lived and played, were born and died. And they lived much the same as you and I do.

They even had a Parliament. And every four years they had an election. Used to walk to the polls and cast their ballots. Some of them even got a ride to the polls. And got a ride for the next four years afterwards too. Just like you and me. And every time on election day all the little mice used to go to the ballot box and they used to elect a government. A government made up of big, fat, black cats.

Now if you think it strange that mice should elect a government made up of cats, you just look at the history of Canada for last 90 years and maybe you'll see that they weren't any stupider than we are.

Now I'm not saying anything against the cats. They were nice fellows. They conducted their government with dignity. They passed good laws--that is, laws that were good for cats. But the laws that were good for cats weren't very good for mice. One of the laws said that mouseholes had to be big enough so a cat could get his paw in. Another law said that mice could only travel at certain speeds--so that a cat could get his breakfast without too much effort.

All the laws were good laws. For cats. But, oh, they were hard on the mice. And life was getting harder and harder. And when the mice couldn't put up with it any more, they decided something had to be done about it. So they went en masse to the polls. They voted the black cats out. They put in the white cats.

Now the white cats had put up a terrific campaign. They said: "All that Mouseland needs is more vision." They said:"The trouble with Mouseland is those round mouseholes we got. If you put us in we'll establish square mouseholes." And they did. And the square mouseholes were twice as big as the round mouseholes, and now the cat could get both his paws in. And life was tougher than ever.

And when they couldn't take that anymore, they voted the white cats out and put the black ones in again. Then they went back to the white cats. Then to the black cats. They even tried half black cats and half white cats. And they called that coalition. They even got one government made up of cats with spots on them: they were cats that tried to make a noise like a mouse but ate like a cat.

You see, my friends, the trouble wasn't with the colour of the cat. The trouble was that they were cats. And because they were cats, they naturally looked after cats instead of mice.

Presently there came along one little mouse who had an idea. My friends, watch out for the little fellow with an idea. And he said to the other mice, "Look fellows, why do we keep on electing a government made up of cats? Why don't we elect a government made up of mice?" "Oh," they said, "he's a Bolshevik. Lock him up!" So they put him in jail.

But I want to remind you: that you can lock up a mouse or a man but you can't lock up an idea.

For more information visit http://www.mousland.info

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• Tommy Douglas
• Kiefer Sutherland
• Mouseland
• democracy

[stevecuddles]

@jmzsil Most people have to work very hard just to get by. A very few are rich and other people work for them. If you look at who gets elected to Parliament (or Congress in the US), its mostly rich people: Lawyers and corporate executives and other businessmen.

But Tommy says that working people voting for rich people to be their government is like mice voting for cats. They will just make laws that are good for the rich and bad for the poor and workers.

[tmoqc]

What Tommy Douglas is saying is that the traditional political parties do not represent the interests of the mass of the people. Republicans are black cats, Democrats white cats, Conservatives brown cats and Liberals grey cats. But they are all cats. The bolshevik mouse is calling for a fair representation of the people, not a government that is afraid to stand up to power hungry corporations, the cats, that feed off of the working class, the mice.

[wowsydna]

@masonkiller666 I'm older than my President and I have a great deal of experience working with people in need. I don't want Religion running my government or business. I want freedom and a free market system, no imprisonment for anyone with a drug problem and some humanity for the people on the planet. How is that propagandized?

[WineBarbarian]

A good story for any NDPers thinking "electoral cooperation" is a good idea!

[masonkiller666]

@wowsydna You are so utterly propagandized by your government I'm sorry for you

[mirrimarable]

seems to be our coalition government- is it your government too?

[WomanforPeaceSanity]

Perfect little film...when will an American worker ever be able to afford to run for president? This little story shows the need for Campaign Finance Reform, so the "little guy" can become our LEADER who will work for the PEOPLE again!

[wowsydna]

Isn't this a film to end socialism in Canada? I like the idea of getting rid of the ruling class which is Republicans, Democrats, and anyone indebted to Corporations and Religions. Lets get someone that's experienced in humanity and the needs of the people. Working toward a better world for everyone not just the Business owners and investors.

[teleny2]

I forgot how lovely Kiefer Sutherland's voice could be.

[jmzsil]

@reksub10 tuche!

[jmzsil]

@CanadaLarry the sad thing is that we bailed them out in time of war, not only sending the German army packing, but helped rebuild thier country. The money that was sent and no gratatued, well by the aristocrats?