Let's Play "The Game of Life."

Bill, I wouldn't be able to pick as each has their own unique perspective, story and voice, but together I think they could do a great job of bringing a more equal change at least in theory. Yet still not, but thank you for this much needed food for thought her. Hoping you are having a great day so far.

Good message here, and I really like the three song choices. We are all equal.

Very nice Hub, Bill! I voted for Bill Porter. Why the heck is this guy living on the street? Incredible!

They are all important to me, except for the politician!

Awesome job my friend of presenting our condition from a unique perspective but all to real. I can't pick a winner but a looser comes to mind. Goes along beautifully with a book I'm currently reading. You do know how to bring it home and make it real.

Very creative Bill and quite a fun hub, although I know the underlying message is serious. Voted for all of them as equally important..."all men are created equal..etc" even though some may consider themselves more important. Voted up.

Love it! "Weeding out the undesirables" sounds like a terrible way to form the greatest nation on earth - well, I guess a few have tried it already. Everyone is valuable, we (the people of the greatest nation on earth) just need to figure out how to help each one contribute their strengths. And, unfortunately, we might even need politicians, so we have to keep that Burnett guy too!

Good intro you got there, Bill.

Hmmm...there are at least two I wouldn't pick. But the others...it's a toss up. They all bring something unique and valuable to the table. How about we just divide the prize equally among them remaining choices?

Hi Bill,

And the winner is . . . . each and every one of us. We all bring something unique and special to the table of life. Enjoyed this very much my friend. Sister Sledge brought me back, went to see them in concert here in Dublin and was a real fan of their music. Thanks for the memories and the message!

It's amazing that I know each and every one of the people in your story, but with different names. I voted, but like in real life I won't say who I voted for; it might cause a war. Anyway, I'll return to see who America picks. This was fun, Bill.

You never fail to amaze me Bill! you always come up with something that makes me think. Yep they are all important in their own way. Whether we like them, hate them or feel sorry for them, each and everyone is unique! great read as usual!

Wow, Bill. You didn't hold anything back on this one, did you? I have a couple of favorites, however I'd eliminate the politician right off the bat.

Someone I'd like to add to the ballot is Sawyer Fredricks, winner of The Voice. He's a sweet farm boy who'd never been on a plane, never been away from home, never had singing lessons and is now living his dream. I love his sound and love his message. He's bringing music back to what it once was in the days of Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg and many other great folk artists. Go Sawyer! :-)

No fair Bill! Although I like the variety of characters and how you have drawn them!

Loved this new concept, Bill :)

Although, I found equally important in their own way! so could not vote for any one in specific.

Existence is sad because we are restricted to one at a time and given a limited amount of time to explore.

I have been so depressed lately lamenting the people I have lost, not just to death but to the circumstance of changing interests and responsibilities.

Why must life be so haunting. Everyone's existence is of equal importance, I suppose. Whether that be to the net worth of something or absolutely nothing, I just don't know.

I'm not totally sure if I'm even making sense right now. Thanks for another thought provoking read, Bill.

Wow! This is like playing Russian Roulette with our minds! I see myself in all of these scenarios, and who would vote to get rid of me?! We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we like to think that we are doing the best that we can. Unfortunately, others might not see it that way. Thanks for an eye-opener!

I voted for Brianne but it was a toss-up between her and Tim. They were the only ones with some concern for others. I love them all but admire those two the most. I would admire Brianne even more if she would do some community organizing and volunteering and Tim even more if he were to try to do more than tread water.

Hi Bill, Wow you sure know how to make people think. In my opinion they are all individuals of equal importance, and each will have their own struggles within their lives. Although I would leave out the politician.

Very interesting hub, Bill. Of course, no one should pick and choose. I just wonder who might try to text you at 123456 about it. ;-)

Ha ha, you cannot make me choose. Sure glad I do not have to. It is so hard to look into a person's heart by just reviewing the outside of them. In life I have judged a few wrongly and wish that it were not so, but I learned well not to do that. This was an excellent opportunity to take the time to look at my worth. Thank you.

Very creative. Thanks for sharing! ;-)

You are a master storyteller. I couldn't choose because each person had a compelling story and every person is important and makes a contribution to the society.

Okay, I'm a can't-decider. I'm guessing this is a social experiment to be used as fodder for another hub or article. We'll watch for that one. :) Voted up and interesting!

Of course we're all equal. Trouble is the government think that's not true (though they say they believe it is true). The biggest worry is that the public would vote on this and not realise that it was a farce!

Great message, well delivered, bill.

Ann

I was going to vote for Brianne because of the organic vegetable garden, but then I saw the final option. However, had you thrown some chickens into the mix, I would have voted for Brianne for sure! :)

I love this social experiment, but kind of wish you would have forced us all to pick just one. Now that result would have been really interesting to see!

Hi Billy

Interesting, I think I would have voted twice, but then you did not give me the option. I think we probably both know which way I voted, it takes one to know another:)

Sally

Pretty interesting one, Bill. Well-written, pretty creative and funny too. I like this new and fresh approach.

I tend to believe that we all contribute something in one way or another, but I went for Brianne, on the basis that duty, wholesome thoughts, and a concern for the environment can only help the country. And after all, she proudly displays an American flag. I look forward to more of this with great interest. Much Love.

Hi Bill. What an interesting and fun hub. Great idea. We are all created equal no matter where we are in life. The only undesirable I would weed out would of course be the politician, they never contribute anything and they certainly never get anything accomplished.

Gaaaaaahhh! It's so hard to choose. I know the whole point of this Hub is that we're all equal, but it's something interesting to think about. Lindsay Billings would be the most interesting to write in my opinion.

It's your character. You've got dibs.

Creative and challenging! In my humble opinion, each has to figure out his or her own worth and treat the rest as if we all have similar value.

Natalie should marry Tim, hire Bill as butler or gardener, and hire Lindsay as maid.

Wow Bill! How do you do it? Just when I think I've seen everything from you that could challenge my sensibilities, you do it again.

I know that most will probably toss aside the politician, but hey, he might even have a redeeming quality or two.

The bottom line (as you know) is that we are all of value. All of us came into this world in the same way, and that is the great equalizer. What we gain, what we amass has nothing to do with our value.

What is in our hearts, where only God can see, is what really matters.

very interesting billy. life is all that matters

Oh, William D. Holland my friend great anticipation, you have inspired an ambition to live longer than what left in my earthly walk (approx.40 yrs) just to see "formed strongest nation on earth." It would probably be a first success of a 'goodwill men' in this 'The Game of Life." A beautiful though tough game played by constant ' new' rules and self-appointed rulers never able to learn and separate themselves of self appointed idiocy... Our hero Bill Porter is perfect illustration from very beginning of his fate to the present proving a point what I meant to say... Choose him or any other 'hero' of your story would be injustice to the rest of human beings created as unique individuals to spend earthly journey with purpose and design... There has been an attempt to renew this purpose for humanity by physical entering of the Creator into our human realm to rescue , only by accepting the Truth an live it... Opposition is apparent, and as I read it there is a utopia ahead of us ' to weed out the undesirable' in this game of life ...( It is written what is to happen eventually)... " Let both grow together until the harvest..."(Book of Matthew.)

Meanwhile this game of life will be played happily and successfully as is done by that of Tim, Natalie, Brian, Josh, Lindsay and many more - including me...

Voted up,beautiful, interesting.

Good night and blessed every today and tomorrow.

Hello Bill, very creative hub. Every one seems to be very unique in their own way as many friends have already said above.

To go with the game, I would vote for BRIANNE CALLAGHAN. Organic vegetable, environment conscious and a mother to focus for the betterment of her child....a conscious citizen and caring for the next generation as well. Thus my vote will go for her.

Bill also would have got my votes provided you have given an option for two votes...LOL....then I liked to know about Tim as well. True brave single father to work so hard for his children. Lindsey as well ....but my only vote can serve Brianne as per your direction.

Thank you for this interesting game. Shared and votes up interesting.

Deergha

I think diversity is most important, so all are needed??? Jack paysack... That is my final answer

As I was reading your post I wondered if you were preparing your readers for a new novel! It would be an ingenious way, but then there would be at least one or two main characters. True we are all totally equal within the human game, its just the roles we play that seem to create some form of separation.

How true! A compilation of what makes up America. The good, the bad, the ugly...the lives people live. Some have a choice, some are dealt a hand they can't change. Nothing makes one better than the other. We are all in this together and the sooner mankind realizes it, the sooner we can make this a better place to be.

Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting.

Bill,

I felt as though I was with a group of friends sitting around a fire and you were spinning this 'wheel of importance' for us in your thought provoking game.

As a nurse, I voted we are all equal in importance. I know, in my heart, some of us do not choose to fully use our gifts and strengths.

Wow, this game could take you on quite the excursion if you thought about it...hmmm...? Love it...shared and voted UP! Love, Maria

Bill, I think this is one of my favorites from you! It's so cleverly done. I kept reading with a game show host voice in my head. You know, in the older style, much as I am sure you intended. It helped aid the touch of humor you provide.

But it is also a thought-provoking look at issues in our society as well as within ourselves. I said I can't choose, because I can't. It rather disgusts me the way we have become such a self-serving society. Everyone has feelings and we all bleed the same.

bro....This is simple. At least it should be and how I wish all people would see how cut and dry it truly is.

No one life is more or less VALUABLE than the next, nor more or less worthy. We are each as important and special as the next....all entitled to have our place and time on this earth.

While we have our numerous differences and individuality, we are just as important and necessary as one another.

Whoever we are, where ever we exist, whatever our calling in life, no matter our achievements or failures, talents or disabilities....WE ARE all human beings. We come into the world the same, want, need and hope for our share of all the things this world offers and live, work, play & strive accordingly.......

We all live, love, bring forth life, cry, laugh, dream & despair.....as flesh & blood mortals....and one day we shall all pass from this world.

Our goal should be to leave this world a bit better, happier and more loving than that which we found it.....for all who come after.

Good morning, Bill. Enlightening hub! I've always felt that we should all be a bit more humble and non-judgemental because we never really know what's behind a person's circumstances. Often, we are dangerously close to events that could turn the tides. Wishing you a great day:)

How do you do it, Bill? You present people in one light, then allow us to examine them in the light that exists within each of us, in order to get us to look at people as they are, not as they present themselves to us. Be they rich or poor, easy life or hard road, on top of the world or under a rock: they are all Human Beings; people; individuals: equal. Equal in importance, equal in our respect, our love. Whether they deserve it or not, whether they realize it or not, whether they respond or not. We need to take the upper road and treat others as such.

Very profound, and the content is far more important than many of us realize. Thank you Sir.

That was interesting Billy. I did not vote for anyone since we are all considered equal by Him. I read about everyone and I cannot help but feel sorry for some. Even a few who were doing well. I voted up, shared and pinned it.

Kevin

You should throw the abusive pimp in there and see if the answers change. Most people are good, but honestly if push came to shove there are some who would be tippy top of my list to throw overboard. Don't hate me,

This is a serious and thoughtful essay, Bill, and more than worthy for contemplation. And I don't write that phrase for every pretty, er, handsome face.

What fun, Bill, to get us all thinking! We are all important no matter what our socio-economic status is no doubt. Aw, that first one with the young male widow and two young children, struggling, actually reminds me of my son and his three children, however, his first wife did not die ..my son lived with us (two children at the time) after his divorce for 18 months during the time I had breast cancer. He had custody. He is brilliant and should go to college, but ...mouths to feed. On another note, I am always tellings those who think they should treat people who hold a high public office different than they treat everyone else ...sure respect, but I always tell them ...I believe they put on their pants one leg at a time just like everyone else LOL. Plus, they are just public servants. We pay their salary! I try to be mindful to treat everyone the same.

Peace and blessings always

With so many talents and experiences, a nation should have only gone upward in prosperity. However, this is not the case. So some things or, better, some people are stopping the nation to rise to its optimal potential. I believe I know who these restraining people are and I know that you know who these people are.

These are the people who prefer form over function. By definition, putting form over function means you make it harder to perform whatever task is supposed to be performed. You wind up with a lot of icing and no cake.

We can chant the slogan of "democracy is the best form of Government" and that "Democracy is the rule of the people, by the people, for the people" day and night, but unless we put function before the form, all of our characters will fall short of reaching their potential.

Democracy is not an end in itself, as all our rulers sing that mantra for us all the time. It is a mean toward an end, a happy end, an end where each individual reaches his/her potential, and is considered important.

This group of people, aided and abetted by their ilk, has made some of us very important at the cost of others and vice versa.

Humbly submitted,

Suhail and K2

Hey Bill...great hub setup...and very thought-provoking! My daughter and I enjoyed the "Ebony and Ivory" clip, too. :0)

Bill I see this as a clever ploy to develop characters for your next book. I understand writing a series of books is tough (or impossible for most of us.) A little matchmaking and other interference and this group could really form a strong alliance.

Seriuosly, look at the response you have received from this thought provoking piece. No reply necessary - you must be exhausted.

Hi Billybuc

All of them deserve a main role in a Bill Holland novel. But I must say, I thought you were describing a few hubbers. Are we not all pretty unique?

Voted up and inspiring :)

Bill

I know whom I wanted to "cheer for" but asking who's important or the most important? That's a different story! What do we term as important? Money? Family? Achievements? Power?

I'm glad that God sees us all as important, and so should we.

Importance can mean a lot of things. Some of your characters are "important" because of the positions they hold, some are "important" because they teach us how to fight for our lives or the lives of others. I agree with the others that there are no people more important than any other. Great thought provoking hub.

Without even looking at the results, I couldn't even fathom such a game, but some people do this to one another every day. We have not really changed as human beings, from the day of the coliseums.

Hi Bill

Love the poll and meeting each person. The choices were hard but I leaned to Bill Porter for his sacrifice he made for his country. It is sad to think he would end up homeless without any hope. Each person is deserving of a vote as they are all contributors to a successful nation, morally each needs recognition but I always stand up for those who are rejected. Such a shame when you think of what he has given up. Recently as I entered a restaurant a young man sat on the curb in tears. He had been refused entry because he appeared below the standard of what management had set. I invited him in as my guest, an argument ensued with management. I dropped the name of a well known media broadcaster and the television station name known for covering such stories. The owner relented and attempted to place us in the far back corner... lol... you guessed it I insisted on a table right in the middle of the room... The young man ate a great meal that night and a bond was formed. I made a few calls, called a favour from a friend with a small manufacturing company. Today Todd has married, has a young child and is the foreman on the floor in the plant. No matter the holiday I still get a call of thanks... can we love no matter... you bet as long as we place ourselves in those shoes or maybe have been in them ourselves and understand.

Blessing my friend