As you all know, I really love spending my vacations in Las Vegas. In fact, I consider myself as a Vegas Lover, who by definition, keeps going back on a yearly basis, if not more.
It’s without question, Las Vegas is the ‘Best of Times’ for me.
Most recently I watched the documentary, “Requiem for The American Dream” and it got me thinking about the best of times and how it relates to Las Vegas. It’s pretty clear the Fat Cats have a strong hold on what goes on in Las Vegas and it’s interesting how keeping YOU happy, leads to a thicker plot by the wealthy few.
I’m sure most of you have heard or even read the phrase,” It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” It’s commonly quoted throughout movies, such as Star Trek, for example. Captain Kirk is famously quoting those very words…
KIRK
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… Message Spock?
None that I am conscious of… except, of course, Happy Birthday. Surely the best of times.
A cleverly placed dialogue, with a meaning behind it, wouldn’t you say?
To fully understand how this relates to “The best of times in Las Vegas” it’s best I explain where this phrase comes from and why it relates to your vacation in Las Vegas.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” comes from the book, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ written by Charles Dickens in 1859. A story of two men who were both wealthy, with one as a successful lawyer and the other, a rich businessman, born with a silver spoon in his mouth* guaranteed never to be poor.
The timeline is just before the French Revolution.
It reads, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…”
A wealthy French businessman, Darnay senses extreme unrest in his homeland and begins to resent his uncle, Marquis St. Evrèmonde who’s the very reason the lower class people of France are being exploited, keeping them in extreme poverty. Furthermore, Darnay is appalled by the lack of actions by his uncle, along with his disrespecting views on the poor class.
Not to reveal the whole story, Darnay relocates to London England and for some reason is accused of treason against the Kingdom of Great Britain. His defence lawyer, Sydney Carton (who resembles a striking resemblance of Darnay) helps Darnay to be acquitted against all charges. Unfortunately for Darnay his families criminal past actions are soon put on trail by the people of France. He’s uncle is stabbed to death during the French Revolution and Darnay is once again arrested. Even though he wasn’t responsible for his family’s actions, Darnay is made an example of the wealthy, sentenced to death by guillotine. The twist and outcome of the story, will be one to relish for a long time. And perhaps, give reflection on your own life.
It’s a good story and long one to read, when you have time.
This story by Charles Dickens is a wake up call to the wealthy, not only during the French Revolution, but today as well. It is said there are only two classes in society, the one who gives the orders and those who follow them. The story reflects on the arrogance of the rich and how their actions can effect everyone of concern. Not caring or being aware of the needs of the poor may some day come back to haunt you.
You could say it’s karma.
It also tells you how the wealthy flaunt their riches, having little respect for the poor. Even though this story was written way back in 1859, the gap from the rich to the poor is still evident into today’s society, as the middle class is slowly being squeezed out of existence.
So, how does this even relate to Las Vegas?
It’s common practice to see the very rich enjoying the lavish luxury in Vegas while the average person would be lucky to ever experience it in a lifetime.
However –
Fortunate for us average Vegas Lovers, Las Vegas resorts also offer a taste of luxury within our own pocketbook.
Maybe they read the book,” A Tale of Two Cities” ?
We are incredible gifted in North America to have the opportunity to enjoy ourselves as the rich aristocrats do. Well, sort of. When in Las Vegas we can experience the best of times, allowing us to forget our worst of times for a brief period.
Have you wondered why most folks you meet in Las Vegas are so happy?
Of course, the obvious reasons are, they’re on holidays and at the peak of their most happiest time. Las Vegas lifts our spirits, giving us hope for a better future and at the same time, we tend to spend more, without realizing it.
Interesting, intellect Noam Chomsky** may see Las Vegas as a way for the wealthy to control the masses. It’s the prefect opportunity for the wealthy to offer the NOT so rich a little taste of luxury Vegas has to offer, while being taxed and over charged on that beer or steak dinner. A month after your trip you soon realize by your credit card statement, you indeed spent way more then you intended to in the first place. So now you’re faced with extra bills and undoubtedly trapped in a ‘cycle of financial insecurity’.
Maybe Noam Chomsky is right after all.
As Vegas Lovers, can we still enjoy Las Vegas without being trapped in a financial burden? Of course we can! It’s a simple process of saving for your vacation before you go. It also means to get off that treadmill of life. Stop paying for those ridiculous interest charges on your credit card by always paying off your monthly statement. Stop being that gerbil, desperately trying to get off that spinning wheel of financial troubles. It’s the wealthy’s goal to keep you working for them. They need you more then you need them. It all comes down to where you want to be in life.
Are you the one who gives the orders or the one who follows them?
Don’t let this stop you from having the best of times in Las Vegas. Always keep a daily tab on expenses and only spend what you can afford. Trust me, you’ll have a lot more fun in Vegas, knowing it’s all paid for in the end.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
By Bari Demers – freelance storyteller and screenwriter
See YOU in Vegas !
POINTS AND EXPLANATIONS:
- Born with a silver spoon in your mouth, simply means you will go through life never experience the hardships of the poor, or shall you care to understand them.
- ** Noam Chomsky – Avram Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, logician, social critic, and political activist. His views on the wealthy and how a few control the majority are a wake up call for all of us. In his documentary, he points out how the wealthy hate solidarity and try their best to put a lid on democracy. If the masses have control then the richest best interest would be at stake. So they implement mass marketing and attack public schools and senior pensions, in order to get rid of social spending.
- It’s also the death of the middle class, as Noam Chomsky sees it.
- In fact the rich encourage privatization to rid themselves of more taxes. In effect, solidarity and taxes help support the poor. The wealthy’s over all goal is to eliminate the social system all together. But, at the same time, some crooked individuals purposely misuse the social system in their favour. I can see the aggravation from the middle class who have worked so hard to get where they are today. And, as far as the wealthy lucky few see it, the American Dream is open to anyone who goes for it. But, in business sense, you must have an acceptable idea or product people need. Not what you think they need. Unfortunately, it’s the very few that hit their dreams. Just like us screenwriters – our screenplay going viral and hitting the box office as a blockbuster is like winning a lottery.
- Today, the most wealthiest businessman, such as billionaires Warren Buffett , Bill and Melinda Gates have teamed up to give away the bulk of their wealth. Their personal goals are to help those in need. Maybe they too read, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens.
The documentary, REQUIEM FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM will give you a good insight to the American Dream and how it’s bleak future is crumbling. – Bari Demers
Dreams and Reality 
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