I said that he could eat all of the cookies he wanted ("Yay!" said he)
provided *he* bought the ingredients and cooked them himself.
Well done, Melody.
Your example is apt, germane and to the point. Something there is about
many of we adult humans that we would be as children, happily having less
if someone else provides the desired thing. We want mommy and daddy
forever. Organized religion plays to that same weakness. Religious,
political and all sales masters understand that if they provide, or
convince us that they will provide, at minimal pain, we will buy.
In our defense, as advanced as our intellect has become, we are animals. A
full belly, a warm nest, successful reproduction, who needs more?