The cunning use of flags. Or: power is just an illusion.

If you haven't seen this Eddie Izzard clip or if, GASP!, you haven't heard of Eddie Izzard, stop. Watch this video. Come back to us when it's done.

Back? Great. We asked you to view that because (1) Eddie Izzard is hilarious and right about everything, and (2) we think the section about Britain taking over India with the cunning use of flags really applies to Yertle:

"You can't do that," the people say. "There are ten million of us here."

"But do you have a flag? No flag no country. These are the rules that I have just made up."

If that doesn't remind you of Yertle and Hitler, we're not sure what will. It all goes back to a simple point: Sometimes the powerful are the most powerful because they're not afraid to make up rules and shout 'em over everything anyone else has to say. Sometimes the powerful are the most powerful because they're the loudest, rudest ones in the pond.

All of that also says something about the turtles that are a little bit lower down on the totem pole. Specifically, that if they want to have rights, they can't let jerks like Yertle boss them around. They have to be like Mack and stick up for their rights.

Because, ultimately, a fair and free society isn't one where everyone is stacked up high just so the turtle on top can see great sights. It's one where everyone is down in the mud together. So says Seuss, at least.