Are our elections and politicians being bought and sold to the highest bidder? Does one have to sell off one’s soul to serve in public office?  Can a single vote still make a difference?  Does the “American Dream” still exist?

Democracy as we know it has undergone a metamorphosis as the result of the money from special interest. Members on both sides of the aisle appear to be beholding to corporate, religious and ethnocentric special interest groups. As a result, traditional party values appear to have taken a backseat to new interests from those whom are willing to contribute the most money.

In this day and age one cannot necessarily have a dissenting political opinion without being labeled as unpatriotic by the ruling majority?  We have been inundated by the politics of fear. This in turn has allowed us to knowingly and willingly hand over our civil liberties to those who know best how to protect us - the federal government. Warrant less wiretaps and data mining is a stark reminder of what can occur when one branch of government becomes more powerful than its counterparts. There appears to be shift in our system of checks and balances by the executive branch, which if left unchecked could undermine our system of government and the rule of law, as we know it today.

Our country was built on the notion of separation of church and state. Our civil liberties afford us the right of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. A system of checks and balances was implemented by - “ we the people” - so as not to fall under the guise of a totalitarian regime, thus ensuring protection of our individual rights. Our politicians are supposed to represent us, the citizens of this nation who elected them, not special interest groups.  Our government officials work for us - “the people.” Maybe it’s time for them to be reminded of this fact in this election year. Isn’t that what democracy is all about?

“We the People...” “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness...” “And Justice for All”... These fundamental democratic principles and values have made our country great and have set an example for the rest of the world. It is the reason that so many individuals who are oppressed or live in closed societies seek refuge within our borders. Democracy provides a glimmer of hope that one can transcend and create a better life full of promise and opportunity; hence, the phrase the “American Dream.”

Our great democracy was founded on an ingenious system of checks and balances to protect our individual rights and to implement and maintain the rule of law.  An equal balance of power was established between the judiciary, legislative, and executive branches of government to assure the citizens of our nation that we live in a free and open society. Oversight and transparency were brought into the equation to prevent an abuse of power from occurring and to maintain that balance. Democracy, like any other living entity, is subject to change and evolution. These changes can be both positive and negative, many times paralleling changes within our culture and society. But regardless of man’s technological advances and societal shifts, certain democratic principles and premises must remain constant in order to protect and maintain our individual rights, the rule of law, and to keep our society open and free.

On September 11, 2001, fundamentalist Islamic extremists outwardly attacked our great nation. But what would be much less apparent was that the inner workings of our democracy were to be laid under siege in a seemingly innocuous and covert manner. Soon after the Twin Tower attack, we would be inundated with a campaign of fear and introduced to such terms as “The War on Terror” and “The Axis of Evil.” Simultaneously, legislation, i.e. the Patriot Act, would be passed to protect our nation in this time of national crisis. Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq would ensue. We would be introduced to the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and the Protect America Act of 2007. But at what cost to fundamental democratic principles? We would begin giving away our civil liberties out of fear. The public would soon learn about controversial government practices under the guise of the war on terror such as warrantless wiretaps, data mining, and waterboarding. Thus, there would be a subtle and covert shift in the balance of power by the executive branch, justified by the need to protect our nation and its citizens.

We have witnessed an executive branch that is secretive in its ways and believes it is above the rule of law, requiring no transparency or oversight. These abuses of power may be construed as very dangerous to democracy and should not be taken lightly. History has shown us over and over again how a free and open society with all the rights afforded to its citizens can be closed down in the blink of an eye. It is up to the citizens of this nation - “We the People” - to let our voices be heard with resolve and no fear, restoring the balance of power, protecting our civil liberties, maintaining the rule of law, and keeping our society open and free.

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The founding fathers understood this phrase when implementing a system of checks and balances within the framework of our democracy, thereby protecting that which we as Americans cherish most..... our civil liberties. This system of checks and balances has been put to the test on many occasions and has always somehow managed to survive.

Since 9/11, we have witnessed a covert assault on our civil liberties through passage of the Patriot Act, The Military Commissions Act of 2006 and the Protect America Act of 2007. Warrantless wiretaps, data mining of our e-mails and national security letters have become intrusions into are private lives. Is “Big Brother” watching you! Has George Orwell’s fictional story become a reality? Is democracy still alive and well in 2008?

The Concrete Jungle explores fundamental democratic principles. Its intent is to challenge its audience by posing such simple questions as: Is the United States Constitution as our forefathers intended to be, being upheld?

It is said that art imitates life. It is also said “ History repeats itself.” The Concrete Jungle in many ways is a snap shot of current trends and contemporary issues in American Society. However, what we are experiencing in the now, we have seen in the past. One may recall Senator Joe McCarthy and the “Red Scare.” Democracy is a living and breathing entity that must be nurtured and cherished. In many ways it is fragile and must be protected from those whom want to see its demise. Like a plant, it must be watered and properly maintained in order to flourish.

The Concrete Jungle is like a jig saw puzzle on Civics. It is multilayered and multidimensional. I leave up to the audience to question and begin to discover if democracy is alive and well in 2008. As American citizens, our  “Civil Liberties” afford us the right to question and speak up. Please do ......

Mission accomplished! On May 1, 2003, on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, President George W. Bush announced triumphantly to the world: “ Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.” Five years later with 4,000 dead U.S. troops, 30,000 wounded, and at a cost of 605 billion dollars appropriated by Congress, this war continues with no end in sight at the expense of the American people.

What does “mission accomplished’ truly mean? Is it about the privatization of the Iraqi oil? Is it about a preemptive strike against a sovereign nation through flawed or doctored intelligence laying claim that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, was an imminent threat to the rest of the world, and was linked to Al Qaeda? When this was found to be false, the justification for war was then changed to the spreading of democracy and the freeing of an oppressed people under the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Is it about war profiteering by defense contractors and those companies involved in the reconstruction of war torn Iraq with no-bid contracts? Five years later, we see a country in total disarray,  engaged in a civil war leaving hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians dead and/or displaced in the name of democracy. 

Whether one agrees with this flawed U.S. foreign policy or not, this does not mean we should not recognize and give thanks to those true American heroes, the men and women of the United States armed services. They have served our country honorably and have endured three, four and five extended tours of duty with courage and resolve. Whether one supports the policy or not, we must always support the troops, for they are “the mission” - the heroes who are in harm’s way..

On January 17, 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell radio address warned the American public of grave consequences and potential danger to our civil liberties and democracy by the military-industrial complex. He stated: “ In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether  sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted.”

When did the voices of  “Big Oil and the Defense Contractors” become more important

than the voices of “We The People?” How many lives will be lost, and how much of the American taxpayers’ money will be spent when all is said and done?  President Eisenhower’s prophecy has become a reality - and at what cost to democracy?

“As the world passes me by, will someone hear my prayer?” It’s time to stop the suffering, the cycle of violence and the pillaging of resources. Need I same more....

How quickly life passes us by. When we are children, we are wide-eyed, innocent, optimistic and carefree looking towards the future. At the end of our lives, we reflect back on our past, often times wanting to recapture our youth and or undo our mistakes. We might also contemplate, how the events of history mimic the natural cycle of life and death (i.e.. history repeats itself). Time stands still for no one and it often seems that a lifetime of memories are created by a blink of an eye!

Sir Isaac Newton’s third law states: “ For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Although generally this law applies to physics, one can see how it has merit when discussing man’s relationships with his fellow man and his environment.

According to Wikipedia, global warming may be defined as, ” the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation.” Global warming directly or indirectly affects every living entity on our planet. Many top scientists agree that atmospheric greenhouse gases/ carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels have significantly affected climate change. It is believed by many experts that global warming has contributed to the melting of the polar ice caps, has accelerated glacial retreat, and has exacerbated extreme weather changes and natural disasters i.e. hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. Scientists also believe that climate change has also affected agricultural yields and has brought about the extinction of many species.

Throughout modern history, we have witnessed much needless pain, suffering, and devastation. Man’s greed and his desire for wealth and power have led to the acquisition of lands and valuable resources at the expense, displacement and destruction of many indigenous peoples and species. Much of this pain, suffering, and devastation is rooted and finds its justification in the name of progress i.e. the industrial revolution, the denuding or burning of the Brazilian Rain Forest, etc.

Man and Nature are out of balance! Mankind is on a downward spiraling path of self-destruction. But it’s not too late. Change is imminent. It will take great leadership and many voices of reason to restore that necessary balance and universal harmony. It’s time to curb our excesses and treat one another and our earth with kindness, dignity, and mutual respect.

Confucius once said “Instead of indulging in empty talk, I consider it more meaningful and enlightening to express myself in definite actions.” Simply put, actions speak louder than words.

I Ching, “the Book of Change” has existed for thousands of years.  Authorship has been attributed to Fu Hsi, the ancient ruler of China around 3000 B.C. He has been given credit for the discovery of the sixty-four hexagrams or signs on which the I Ching is based. Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher used the book to help define his inner development.

Like The Holy Bible, The Book of Change is considered an ancient treasure. It is a source of great insight and wisdom. Many have used it to gain clarity into their own destiny or the future, while others have used it as a tool for self-discovery.

Some see it as a having a life of its own, which when consulted, enables one to receive the greatest gifts that one can possibly acquire: understanding of them self and peace of mind. Through its guidance and use, one can also begin to discover and understand the connection between them self and the complex world we live in.