Walk in the Park II

Continued from yesterday,
"Let's first discuss the role of government."  Once more the toothy grin,  "When you, a citizen, threw the retrieval dummy into the water you had all the expectations of the dog retrieving it.  That is her main function."
"Certainly."
"My theory is your dog became "government" in that she ameliorated the situation of the retrieval dummy and you the citizen."  He stopped, reached down and took the bumper from Mollie's mouth and examined it.  "We used canvas for these in my time."  He looked back at me.  "You do understand, that pond didn't  care whether you got the dummy back or not so you had three choices.  One, the dummy would appear as if by magic and float over to you.  Two, you could wade in and by the time you found it you would be cold and probably catch your death or three, let the dog go in with all her expertise and training."
"That sounds a bit complicated."
"Bullfeathers man."  Came the stern reply, "It was simplicity itself, you had the dog and you used her.  The pond was not going to help. We have government to help the citizen not the pond." At this point he let out a marvelous long laugh.  "Well, sometimes we help a pond or two."
More soon.
Be well.