Clumsy storytelling can be done via allegory too.
Also, the idea about just wanting "subtle political messages" is one that comes up now and again. There are really two elements there. The less important is arguably how subtle (or blatant) the messaging is. Two things are much more important: first if the reader agrees with the political (or equivalent) message, second how much the reader is willing to accept messages they don't agree with in stories.
It is something you can train up as a reader, both by reading widely and by gaining knowledge in political ideology and discourse. All good things, to me.