Sharing The Blame Poem by Mary Champion

An MP addresses his constituents who, according to the polls, seem likely to throw him out at the next election.

*******

I said, 'Elect me! ' You said, 'What for? '
knowing it's power that I adore.
'How will you wield it, if we agree? '
I said, 'However! You must tell me.
I'll do whatever it takes to gain
a hold on power. That much is plain'

You shrugged your shoulders. I called your bluff.
My easy promise - the easy stuff:
like jam this instant and owt for nowt -
a trough of junk food to fill your snout.
You pigged out big time and so did I.
Did you ask questions? Can piggies fly?

Again, I asked you to vote me in.
You still acceded and let me win.
Then, one dark morning you woke to find
the jam had vanished, so you opined:
'You bastard crooks you, by spin and stealth
you have embezzled the nation's wealth.'

I beg to differ, it's on your head.
You never listened to what I said.
I said 'Elect me! ' You said, 'What for? '
I said, 'Whatever! ' And that's the score.
You're just as greedy as me and mine.
If you'd asked better, we'd toe the line.

I'll do whatever you ask of me
to get elected. Now do you see?
If you'd demanded a fairer scheme;
some long-term planning; a worthy dream,
then we'd deliver the best we could.
Not ‘cos we're noble; not cos we're good,

but just to keep us where we belong
wielding the power that turns us on.
We're democratic, that's how it works.
You pull the strings that control the jerks.
If you want better, it's down to you,
vote for the chancers who promise to

be wise and frugal and stop the rot,
then kick them out if they lose the plot.
You choose your rulers, we answer to
the common people - and that means you.
So many struggled to set you free,
to give you power and dignity.

But do you bother? And do you vote? -
Too busy bingeing to steer the boat!
So don't come whining now you're in strife,
it's you who let us hijack your life.
It's not just bankers' and MPs' shame -
all things considered -we're all to blame.