You can think what you what. You can say what you want. You can pick a blue side or a red side. You can toot your own horn. You can stick on any bumper sticker. You can ignore the world around you. You can embrace it. You can study it. You can scoff at it. No matter what you do, one thing is certain these days...The State of the Jungle is broke.

It's all about the money. Don't chime in about freedom, or morals, or spreading democracy. It's all about the money. When I say the money, I'm not talking about your piddly stash. I'm not talking about your credit rating. I'm not talking about your nest eggs, mortgages, or rising debt. I'm talking about ALL THE MONEY WE HAVE.

Let's talk about health care. That's a multi-billion dollar industry. Let's talk about Iraq. That's a multi-billion dollar industry. Let's talk about social security. That's a multi-billion dollar industry. I don't want to hear about your stories of heart ache, personal sacrifice, or support of the troops. It is a ruse. It is a smoke screen. It is a facade. It's about the money.

I am starting see the decay of a fine civilization. There used to be music in the grammar schools. There used to be art classes taught. There used to be an encouragement of imagination. Now, I see a country after its own pocket book. We throw money at a natural disaster on the other side of the world, so we can feel better. Our public education system is a prison with text books, but no one throws money at that unnatural disaster. The kids keep growing up, and they learn to believe in one falsehood. Make some money, and your life will be important.

Television glorifies vanity, rudeness and shallowness. See what the rich are doing? See how much they spend on a purse? See celebrities run from the paparazzi? How much plastic surgery do I need to pretend I'm beautiful? How much to improve my self esteem? How are Brad and Jennifer doing without each other? How is the Nazi Prince? How can people so famous still screw up? It's all about the money, and we continue to watch.

The movies are boring. The biggest money maker in 2004 was Shrek 2. Shrek 2! Spider Man 2 was number 2. The most popular movies are something we've already seen. Nominated for best picture are films about an eccentric billionaire who makes planes, a woman who boxes, a wino and his vain actor friend, the writer of Peter Pan, and the life of Ray Charles. I saw the one about the wino and his friend. A good film. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing amazing either. The rest of them, I don't even want to see. My favorite film of the year, Kill Bill Vol. 2, was not even acknowledged by anyone. Be sure, however, to tune in for the Oscars. We'll look at dresses and tuxes, and wish we had the money these people have. That's what it's all about.

America works, but it doesn't help. Our economy is stagnant, our vision is nonexistent, and our enthusiasm is lacking. I see it every day. I see hundreds of people without initiative. I see groups huddled together as if many minds will spark something of interest. I see the petty politics in the churches, offices, hospitals and corporations (public & private) screw good people out of opportunities and assistance for one reason: control of the money.

We could, we could, we could. We could evolve our fuels. Cars have been created that run on natural gas and electricity, nullifying airborne emissions. Money and The Big Five say stick to oil. There are other countries to attack. Welcome to the new province of Iraqiran. We could overhaul the education system and save the youth. Money says people are living too long, and we need to overhaul social security. We could explore space in a serious way and create jobs dedicated to exploration and discovery. Money says the rich will take care of their own, and the rich will run the world on old stagnant ideas.

After watching our President give his State of the Union address, I felt a void. No emotion one way or another. Neither proud of what this country has recently accomplished, nor depressed beyond belief at its failures. Everything is the status quo. Everything is about the money, but the problem is that we're broke. Emotionally, creatively, spiritually and financially, this country is bankrupt. We pass the same twenty dollar bills back and forth thinking we're richer when we have two and the other guy has none. We're all in this economy together, people. The baby boomers are out of ideas. Now, they just want to be paid until they die. Money make the world go round, but it doesn't make it go any faster or slower.

Where do we go from here? A straight line to nowhere. Don't forget to bring your money. You're going to need it to pay for the boring ride.

Chris Jungle bought a bottle of inspiration, but it turned out just to be booze.