Politics Is A Carpet

 

 

Politics is a carpet

Plush and swollen,

Manufactured by politicians

With myriad problems.

 

Swept under this carpet

Day in and day out

Are issues galore

And many a doubt.

 

It is nothing new

Though some will disagree,

Just lift the carpet end

And you will see.

 

There was a certain test

That caused an uproar,

Under the carpet it was swept

To be heard of no more.

 

A report was called for

And its findings to be revealed

But so far it is still hidden

And very well concealed.

 

It is classified information

Upon which we walk

Yet very few know about it

Though there is talk.

 

Some unions were adamant

About a significant increase

But offered a paltry one-off payment

Their effort suddenly ceased.

 

 

Apparently, the tax stick

Was held over their head

And the workers unions capitulated

As though they were dead.

 

Three percent this year

And three percent the next

And then up came a condition

That made teachers vex.

 

With all on their plate

They must now also oversee

What the school children are eating

With regularity.

 

Some rumbling from within

But then “We will try”

And again, the unions hang out

The poor teachers to dry.

 

Swept under the carpet

Every one of these!

This is my observation

If you please.

 

The Bajans’ nine-day wonder!

After this they are mute

And it does not really matter

The gravity of the dispute.

 

A promise to raise the age

Before demanding a medical

Re the renewing of drivers’ licenses

For our ‘over-seventy’ people.

 

Nothing more on this-

Under the carpet it went

Now more money for the doctor-

Yes, more money to be spent.

 

Senior citizens matter, though-

The impression that is given

Yet, when it truly matters to them,

They are invariably forgotten.

 

I will end with this one

Not that this is an exhaustive list

But please, if you will,

Wrap your mind around this.

 

 

The QEH is in trouble

And has been for a long time

And “What if I become gravely ill!”

Is plaguing my mind.

 

Critical equipment is lacking

And procedures are being delayed

Whereby more often than not,

Outsourcing is the way.

 

So that, having paid for services

The tax payer must pay again,

This too is swept under the carpet

As part of the unexplained.

 

I said that would be the last

But like the politicians, I lied,

This one is very close to my heart

But in you I will confide.

 

It’s about old age pensions

That are being double taxed:

Taxed when you were working

And now the second tax.

 

Taxed when you were paying

And taxed when receiving:

Taxation upon taxation-

This is almost like stealing.

 

Penalties if you cannot pay

And interest added to that:

Even the old age pensioners

They are killing with tax.

 

This too is swept away

And hidden under the carpet,

Not to mention the prorating of pensions

That they remembered to forget.

 

 

Don’t ask me about the last one

Check under the carpet!

I have no doubt you will find it

Right where it has been swept.

 

Stewart Russell © May 3, 2023