The Great Distraction Of World Economic Issues Overwhelms Poem by Reginald Reid

ECONOMIC RATION

I didn't live through The Depression,
But I've seen boom and bust recession,
And accordingly have learned new things to fear.
I watch exchange rate fluctuations
And the rising price of oil in other nations
Which almost brings my eyes to tears.

The Wall Street indicators
Driven by manipulators
Send shocks to markets all around the orb.
Pushed and pulled by shock reporting
My portfolio's cavorting
Up and down in ways I simply can't absorb.

There's the blessed superannuation
That worries half the nation,
And changing interest rates to raise concern.
Also the rising cost of credit,
The giant mortgage, a worry if you've got it
And now we're told the housing market's in downturn.

Each month we all expectantly await
The RBA's announced new interest rate
To know just how the future's going to be.
They consider employment and inflation,
Their target rate and expectation,
Ignoring costs of living for us casually.

I now know about economies and international trade,
Balances of payments and market takeover raids,
And watch the rise and fall of currencies each day.
I note the dollar on the cross rates and chart the change progression
Anticipating bull or stag reaction in the face of mild recession
And try to understand just what the futures markets say.

I'm pretty well informed, and the politicians in true style
Debate the matter in some depth with vigour for a while.
Then they say we're facing very difficult times.
There are tightening credit conditions, there's a monitor in place
Economic responsibility will surely win the race.
And the crisis talks are simply doing just fine.