Bøker av Steven O Ludd

At a time in American life when citizens are inundated with highly charged sound bites on social media platforms to choose the best product to purchase, to accept the legitimacy of often diametrically opposed political ideologies without critical analyses, or to evaluate their lives compared with "influencers" who create images of the "good life," this little book is offered as a brief respite for all who seek refuge in personal reflection.The selection of poems on Life, Love, and Democracy, challenges the reader to confront the dangers to Democracy in the Twenty-First Century both inAmerica and throughout the world. Drawing upon the visions of individuals from across the centuries, the poems offer numerous paths by which to joinin solidarity with those who choose love over hate. Beautiful in its imagery and verse, it is a reminder that we still retain the ability to overcome the sense of powerlessness which seems to engulf our modern societies through the timeless functioning of Nature. Most importantly, the book re-enforces an understanding that we are on a never-ending journey toward individual and collective freedom.

It''s time. For the last six years the most strident and loudest voices have driven our culture and politics. The result has been the marketing of ''divide and conquer'' politics and a distortion of our Founding Values. It''s time to begin the task of ''rebalancing'' the Nation''s priorities through political compromise and the reinvigoration of an engaged public. It''s time to demand that the loudest voices sit down. It''s time for Americans to stand up and demand leadership from those who hold the public trust - our political representatives.ΓÇó Return to the real Contract with America - the Constitution.ΓÇó Read the Preamble and understand the co-equal importance of its objectives.ΓÇó Take personal responsibility for the actions of your government. (Vote, attenda town meeting, participate in public policy decisions impacting your life.)ΓÇó Demand transparency in the actions of those who you have placed inpositions of the public trust - our political representatives. And be insultedby the mass media''s presentation of our politics via "political theater" absentobjective investigative reporting.ΓÇó Refuse to be placed in a "box" - think critically - be wary of those whodivide us rather than bring us together.ΓÇó Applaud our rich diversity as a people - be tolerant.ΓÇó Demand political compromise through the balancing process established bythe Founders.ΓÇó Think of your children''s future - Do we want gated communities with armedguards or a society which offers hope for a secure future regardless of socialclass, race, religion.