The old Cherokee chief sat in his hut on the reservation, smoking the

ceremonial pipe, eyeing the USgovernment officials sent to interview him.

"Chief Two Eagles," one official began, "you have observed the white man

for 90 years. You have observed his wars and his material wealth. You

have seen his progress and the damage he has done." The Chief nodded that it

was so. The official continued, "Considering all these events, in your

opinion, where did the white man go wrong?" The Chief stared at the government

officials for over a minute, and then calmly replied,

"When white man found the land, Indians were running it.

No taxes.

No debt.

Plenty buffalo.

Plenty beaver.

Women did all the work.

Medicine man free.

Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing, all night making love to

women."

The Chief leaned back and smiled, "White man dumb enough to think he

could improve system like that."