The term ‘Schildbürgerstreich’ is used colloquially to describe ludicrous and misleading regulations or excesses of bureaucracy.

One example from abroad: The Chinese once decided to become the world's largest steel producer. In an unprecedented move by the central government, citizens were urged to hand in all their steel cooking pots and tools. Which they did - by force - China kept its word and made itself the largest steel producer. The consequences for the people were hunger, impoverishment, denunciation, persecution and the like.

Today's Green policy in Germany is often perceived as putting enormous resources into projects that ultimately lead to the downfall of their own people. For example, the ban on nuclear power plants and investments into "green energy", the plan to become car free one day.

Meanwhile cycle lanes are built in the middle of main roads, thereby endangering cyclists and slowing down traffic. As the money was being spent, elsewhere in Dresden the Carola Bridge - one main bridge - over the river collapsed, which is attributed to the fact that the city manager did not bother to have the bridge refurbished.

The federal government's migration policy is presented to people as if those in power think that if only enough foreigners are brought into the country, their demographic problem will be solved, instead of pursuing a conservative family policy, etc, etc.

My satire refers to the latest frequent statements by a German politician who says that German savers and current account holders are hoarding over two trillion euros on their books, and that taking just ten per cent of this sum could provide an enormous boost to infrastructure if the money could be accessed. Which is understood to be exactly what he intends to do.

My text was lost in translation, I guess, because I used a language that is no longer common today and the citizens of Schilda are only really understood immediately by us Germans who still know the old stories.

It was nevertheless fun writing it down and to spread some humor.