THE CITY AND THE STATE OF PLAY TODAY

Money is all they think about
It’s the make- up of their soul
They will gladly do wrong
As machismo makes them bold

No one worries about morals today
They follow the rules they created
So to them all is ok

Those on the outside looking in
Are the only ones feeling queasy
As avarice and selfishness triumphs
So easily

Good corporate citizens they claim to be
Industry awards abound on their walls
As thank you tokens from themselves
Today we worship them
In days of old misbehaviour would get the belt

Society harbours a lot of ill-will towards these devils
As it feels the brute force of
The indifference of people only wishing to make money
While Using up all of society’s communal resources
Those crushed cannot rely on anyone
The government sold out long ago

The ability to upend competitors
Is the cherished characteristic
Of this bullish machismo drenched environment
Where bullet proof psyches
Absorb and repel any pangs
About unfairness and inequality

Sharks abound
The waters are forever bloody as they
Know no fraternity and would gladly
Cannibalize anyone with no influence
On systematic thievery

A lack of understanding of the
Basics of right from wrong
Ensures everyone has a silent conscience

The gravitational attraction of money
Towards another even bigger pot
Numbs any cautionary instincts
That would take a long term view

The thrill of instant riches
Overpowers common sense
And even decency
Fat cats they all wish to be

They continually spin wrongs till they become rights
Causing oestrogen low males with no inbuilt brakes
To take risks that eventually cost them disgrace
They are champions of graft not of society

Loopholes in legislation
That were built in by too friendly politicians
Causes far reaching hardship
When the good old days are long gone
The villains only muster some phantom national pride
When begging for a lighter sentence
Or a smaller fine

Some are forgiven
Others fatally wounded by an unforgiving public
Who would have gladly allowed them sway
If they had not now had to pay
For all those investors they led astray

Money can be made
Both legally and illegally
And worryingly too easily
As one racket is closed another materialises instantly
The conveyor belt of dishonesty
Overwhelms bureaucracy

The ethos is wealth
The acquisition and the maintaining of gains
Not often acquired through hard work
There is no limit of acceptable financial comfort
For the millionaire always wants to be a billionaire
And the mega rich super rich

Money must always be hidden from the taxman
Shareholders require tax free dividends
Investors  seek tax breaks for buying with other people’s money

Fast paced expansionist dogma
Is preached within city limits
Only the highest paid
The biggest company
The greatest profits are allowed
Everyone follows the same crowd

Gunslingers they all are
Rushing in to capitalize on
The wanton success of their peers
The cloud of misery left behind
Is never seen for they forever look forward
Never backward
Hindsight is never welcomed in this parasitic environment

Self-interest is king and
Their conscience is very thin

An economy built on flawed assumptions of wealth creation
Is one that must forever be in hyper-drive
Creating ever expanding demand and supply
That is as real as a thief’s philosophy
When taking the rings off a dead persons fingers

Money must always be made for
There is no alternative
Wealth is good
Poverty to them is laziness

The city is not the heart and soul
Of the nation
It is but one player
In a system skewed in its favour