Financial Apocalypse

No politician can be elected, or reelected
On a platform of taking something from the public.
Once enacted, temporary subsidies become "entitlements,"
Which must be financed forever by the taxpayers.

The so-called "welfare reform" is often cited
As an exception, but even that has been eviscerated.
All other schemes live on and are forecast
To ruin the country's exchequer within decades.

Only a crisis forces the politician's hand:
When galloping inflation ruins the economy,
When the country is unable to borrow,
When international corporations pull out.

Then "austerity measures" are proposed
That citizens riot in the streets against.
In a parliamentary system, a new weak government
Follows the old weak government in wringing their hands.

In our system of fixed terms for politicians,
War breaks out between competing factions.
The sober, sensible budget balancers
Are pilloried as destroyers of the common weal.

Therefore nothing can be done, or will be done,
Until the public is willing to sacrifice by
Getting less in "entitlements," or giving more in taxes,
Or some unholy combination of both.

The underlying fact is that global competition
No longer permits an elevated standard of living here.
What we enjoyed as a competitive advantage
In productivity is no longer present.

A necessary corollary is that government
Will no longer be able to save and protect us
From all the ills that flesh is heir to,
Nor defend us from all external threats.