Snacks-Apartheid

We are often reminded of how important Parliament is in our democracy. I've personally heard it described by some MPs as a 'hallowed house', even a church of sorts (thanks to the ACDP). But it seems Parliament's food is as holy as any bill, debate or committee meeting which makes its way through the National Assembly. ANC MP, Cecil Burgess's recent admonishment of non-parliamentarians who dared to tuck into snacks laid out at at a portfolio committee meeting serves to further reinforce the reputation of MPs as loafers and spongers. For 10 minutes he lectured us plebs, with perennially bored fellow-MPs in attendance, on how the food is actually meant for them. In an arrogant drawl he explained how the committee's budget is limited and so spending on snacks is tight. He concluded, however, that once MPs are done scoffing up soggy sandwiches and rock hard muffins, us nobodies are more than welcome to have the leftovers. Mmmm, tasty leftovers all for us?! Oh, Cecil, your heart beats custard. Amid stifled grumbles from fellow-plebs, I noted what seemed to be embarrassed looks on some of Burgess's colleagues faces (at least I hope they were embarrassed). Could it be they were in silent agreement with me that Burgess had maybe gone too far on a seemingly mundane matter? Burgess is known to be a strong character. Opposition parties call him arrogant. I respect his intellect and political deftness. But since him unofficially passing the new Parliamentary Food Act, I'm inclined to relegate him to that growing hall of shame for government bigwigs who think their excrement smells like roses.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't we, as taxpayers, technically paying for their snacks? Is that not our money they are shovelling into their ever-burgeoning stomachs? Mr. Burgess, surely you can do with one or two less sandwiches and scones? Where's the love? We pay your salary, yet you can't share some food with us. Not very Ubuntu of you.
The National Assembly has no gym, as far as I know, and despite Health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi's repeated calls for his fellow cabinet members and government officials to lead by example in living health lives, the boeps on the majority of parliamentarians are showing little sign of retreating. Nor do their salaries, may I add. So, maybe we could do them a favour by helping eat their oh-so-sacred snacks. It's snack-Apartheidf, I tell you!
If ordinary people aren't allowed to have even a stale croissant in Parliament, will we soon be barred for using the toilets there or even having a drink of water? Thanks to Burgess, the much touted phrase 'The Peoples Parliament' is an oxymoron. According to him and his ridiculous policy on snacks it's 'Only Certain People's Parliament'. Had he asked us nicely not to eat the snacks, refraining from the use of condescension, I may find it in my heart not to call him arrogant and petty. But knowing the chronic sense of entitlement many members of parliament adopt, I'll stand by my initial believe that they are truly the embodiment of government fat cats.