I saw four horsemen riding by,
I stopped them there; I asked them
why and whereforth do you ride? – –
America, they replied.

“I am the pale face of fear, that’s
settled on the nation here,”
the horseman of the Plague did offer
first, and laughed, “as much can be accomplished
when people are afraid (ch2.loc555); there’s much
to profit off of.” (2.553)
“To be American,” he jeered, “is finding ways
to make one kind of thinking,
the one and only kind of thinking here.” (2.542)

“I am the strict father War!” (2.624)
he laughed a long and hearty laugh, “I
saddle this red horse, and from up high I ride!”
“What are your values?” (2.607) – – his eyes
were fire, “Listen!” and he barked another
terrifying laugh, “I know what’s right! My position! I
need not ask for your permission! (2.624) My
immoral children will obey and be
obeyed by me, you see how that works? I am
the man and head of family!” (2.610) his grin was
sickening. “But I know, oh I know!
They’ll only disappoint me.”

“To win means to be better than,” (0.216) drawled blackened
Famine, “I’ve been summoned here.”; he waved
a lazy hand, “These Americans engage in
boring long debates,”
“What’s a winner look like?”
“Who’s in second place? Well, second place
is first loser.”
He paused in deep resolved indifference, and sighed, “well –
as for them” – he paused again –
“I guess those losers, we’ll remove them.”

And the white horse beside walked Death,
light steps, like Christ,
he smiled, and with a patient air replied that
he was there to hold accountable the people
that he led; “I have standards.” (2.626)
“I treat my people equally.” A cruel glint
came in his smiling eyes, “they will demonstrate that
they have done so (2.646), live up to my
gospel – -” here he paused, and gently
sighed,

“unto America we ride.”

Fear; Family Values; Competition; Standards and Accountability
A Reaction to Bad Teacher! by Kevin K. Kumashiro
For Master’s Degree course Issues in the Foundations of Education
2019