Might Less Government Improve Mental Health?

Mental illness is much more a problem today

Than it was in the past, and it seems here to stay;

The age range has steadily lowered until

Even young children now start to feel ill;

The reason might be we’re now much more controlled

Than was the case for most people of old,

When families were left to get on with their lives

Unhampered by time-wasting new government drives’

Form-filling, paperwork, endless demands

Pass almost daily through citizens’ hands,

As officials ensure that they cannot but know

Big brother is watching wherever they go;

Things might improve if the government spied less,

For all this surveillance increases their stress,

And stress  is well-known to affect mental health,

Quite unrelated to level of wealth.

No to Named Persons

Holyrood is very keen to give each child a spy

Who’d be there from time of birth as childhood years pass by,

Listening to idle talk and making endless notes

Recording every thoughtless word a hapless infant quotes.           

Reporting things they do not like within the children’s homes

So that after eighteen years their files may run to tomes.

Taking if they feel that something is not right,

Even though it may be wrong just purely in their sight,

For many taking up the job may well be rather strange,

But with a liking to control all those within their range.

But it is obvious how this scheme would harm all children’s lives,

Destroying all the privacy on which each family thrives.

Parents will be frightened to speak freely in the home,

In fear of any thoughtless word which from their mouth might roam.

For though each family’s different in their approach and ways

Most children can look back in joy upon their childhood days,

Where there was security in an atmosphere of trust,

Which if this scheme is introduced will quickly turn to dust.

Of course some children are abused and help should be at hand,

But not by such intrusion in all households in the land.

An Alternative

Exams are quite important, as certificates thus gained

Ensure that certain standards are continually maintained;

But while they are an asset and are useful as a rule,

Many famous people have spent little time in school;

But though their years of formal study did not last too long,

Their thirst for gaining knowledge was unquestionably strong;

They had enquiring minds and liked to think and puzzle out

How things worked and what the world around them was about;

Not all jobs are open to those lacking a degree,

And several extra years may be at university,

But many people would be better served if they were led

To get a job and learn the skills they needed there instead.

Affirmative Action

“Affirmative action” - it sounds very nice,

But it’s something that definitely comes at a price;

It assumes that some people are not very good,

And therefore to help them, all colleges should

Lower their standards, so they can get in;

To at least some minorities, this is akin

To singling them out, with a firm view that veers

To saying they aren’t quite as bright as their peers;

And of course if employers become well aware

That standards were lowered, so they could get there,

They won’t want to hire them, if others apply,

Who didn’t need help with  exams to get by;

Their qualifications will come to be seen,

As worth a lot less than they might well have been

If they hadn’t had help just because of their race,

But through their own efforts achieved a high place;

Solutions must be Found

When will politicians learn

They need to look till they discern

A way to stop these vile attacks,

Which mean no person can relax,

Even when they go to church;

Our leaders must increase their search

To find solutions so that we,

From fear of violence can be free.

For it’s a government’s job to keep

Their people safe, with not a bleep

When bombs go off, or other crimes

Disturb what should be peaceful times.

The Labour Party has Problems

The Labour Party currently is in a dreadful mess,

Not helped by all its latest news appearing in the press,

So everyone is well aware how much they disagree,

With all the bitter arguments laid out for all to see.

The numerous resignations by MPs right at the top,

Which Jeremy as leader found impossible to stop;

The snide remarks abounding that are music to the ears

Of Tory politicians, hoping they’ll go on for years;

The obvious lack of loyalty shown by those who’d never thought

That Jeremy would win the vote, however hard he fought.

They felt the £3 members would refuse requests for more,

But even with an eight-fold rise, they still came through the door.

At present Jezza’s at the head, with nothing much behind,

And with the current membership, he’ll very likely find

That he’ll remain the leader, but with little left to lead,

As many of his MPs cannot tolerate his creed

Old Friendships

It isn’t right to ditch old friends as soon as someone new

Appears and seems to offer more than those old friendships do,

Forgetting that old friendships that have been around for years,

Sharing all the joys of life, and also all the tears,

Have proved their worth in steadfastness, and presence when in need,        

Showing they aren’t fly-by-nights, but solid friends indeed.

But there are people who will drop their old friends if they feel

A new friend offers something more exciting and more real;

But often that new friendship is short-lived and quickly dies,

And they are left regretting just how swift was its demise,

They turn to their old friendships, but by then they may be gone,

For having been rejected, they have possibly moved on.

The same is true of countries, who go after newer friends,

If this means that with other states their long-time friendship ends

For if the new friend fades away, and is their friend no more,

They may not still be wanted by the friends they had before