We all know that there is a time for everything, party politics included. In a democracy, there is a time to vote. In a dictatorship, it is always a good time to bite your tongue. In Bermuda, we are now officially at a place that I like to call “bathroom time” — when you have to go, you have to go. The writing is literally on the SAGE wall.

When you have to go, the normal bodily functions that we usually take for granted — such as seeing, hearing or smelling — can become increasingly uncomfortable, if not impossible.

We are engrossed in a profound sense of urgency, not because we are sick or in crisis, but because it is simply the natural consequence of taking too long to do the right thing or what you should have done in a more timely fashion.

The main reason we go to the bathroom is to eliminate waste. It isn’t rocket science, but it is truly amazing to observe how so many of our political leaders simply cannot do it. That’s why many say they are full of it!

Whether it be in their language or in their policies, our leaders spend an exhaustive amount of energy trying to make things seem constipated. For the rest of us, this means that valuable time and energy is wasted, rather than being properly spent.

They like to think that we cannot read this dysfunctional body language, probably because they are understandably preoccupied with their own self-induced sense of inadequacy.

After all, it’s not easy keeping up the appearance of normality when you are clearly out of your depth.

So “bathroom time” is the perfect opportunity to see our leaders as what they are — mere mortals, rather than the superheroes they pretend to be under normal circumstances.

Like courage, genuine leadership is only shown in the presence of truth.

We can now look at the way that our leaders will try to implement SAGE and see who will be able to embrace the discipline of necessary effectiveness.

One leader may be so vainglorious that he literally relieves himself in public — leading to indecent political exposure. Another may lose control in her sleep. Still, others may quietly canvass you in private to ask if they can use your facilities.

The nice thing about this bathroom situation is that it begets a rare moment of pure honesty in a political process that is otherwise clouded by waste and self-deception.

This is why the prophets of ancient times would write their wisdom on the wall. Before the printing age, the wall was the easiest way to publish the truth. Today, most people do not take the time to truly know themselves. We live from one moment to the next without the seeming need for critical reflection.

In times of crisis, however, we depend on the sages to show us the way back to reality. Many sages have come and gone, but their words live on in spite of the limitations of their times.

The writing on the wall is still a necessary part of a sanitary mindset.

What do I think about the wall today? Firstly, I am happy to see that many more people have become functional and effective political wall sitters — whether by choice or by circumstances.

This means that we are taking refuge in the “known unknown” of the natural order beyond the social trappings of self-deception. The herd mentality is not an option.

Second, we are not inclined to blindly follow the ideology of any particular party, and we are much more likely to correct the misjudgements of our various pundits on both sides of the political divide — just because you happen to be black or white, male or female, rich or poor, will not be enough.

Lastly, the Spending & Government Efficiency (SAGE) report is the perfect political tombstone for an era of unnecessary government waste that has finally been exposed to public scrutiny — even if it has not yet come to an end.

Let it be well remembered that the SAGE Commission was the sum total of all the input that had been received from the public itself, not just the commissioners.

The rest of the SAGE story is just a typical example of how John the Baptist lost his head — some people like to shoot the messenger rather than deal with the message.

My “bathroom time” suggestion to all those concerned about the 2015 Government Budget and the implementation of the SAGE Report is that we now have to enter the public arena with lots of toilet paper. Actions speak louder than words when it comes to crisis management.

Hopefully, this will help people of good intent to keep their eyes on the prize. After all political waste has been eliminated, there will still be a need for personal hygiene — both for yourself and your chosen representative.

If you are not a part of the solution, you will ultimately be exposed as a part of the problem.

GLADWYN S SIMMONS

“Unity in the Community World Vibe Fighting with Peace and Not For It”

Sandys