The current state of the federal government is akin to a misguided commuter trying to navigate a hazardous traffic jam. This commuter acts rashly and impatiently choosing to take side roads on impulse while taking pleasure in the fact he is moving faster than the traffic; the whole while ignorant to the fact that he is in fact, not getting any closer to his destination. The current economic recession is appropriately casted as our traffic jam. As tragic and depressing the gridlock is, it is truly a blessing in disguise; for it has revealed to use the shortcomings of our commuter and gives us the opportunity to make amends.

There is enough blame to go around. The country was disorganized and lost with Republicans in control and the Democrats ascension is as much as a solution as prescribing a placebo; it can possibly make you feel better but there are no real benefits. One could argue that the country has never been so divided and without a bright future, but the present always seems more dismal when compared with the past.

The current health of the country is in a steady decline. American families are drowning in debt, losing their homes, and overall not presenting their children with responsible role models. Churches are being squeezed financially and are struggling to keep their doors open. Traditional marriage is reeling from an onslaught of attacks from secular activists. The mass media cherry pick stories to promote their political agendas. Social Security is hemorrhaging money at an alarming rate and baby boomers are wondering if it will be around for their retirement. Not to mention retirement accounts have been nearly cleaned out by the bear market.

We have anti-war protesters marching at the funerals of deceased soldiers. An invasion of Iraq was carried out without a plan for success. The closure of Guantanamo Bay has been ordered before an alternate location to house prisoners has been chosen. We have a president who refuses to release detainee photos citing that it will hurt America’s image, but at the same time releases torture memos. America’s great pastime is tainted by banned substances, with steroids creeping up left and right. The youth of America is sending nude pictures of themselves from their cell phones to their friends. Elementary school teachers are sleeping with their students. ROTC is being heckled and harassed on college campuses. Our government is regulating salaries and firing employees of commercial companies. Loans are being forced on some financial sound banks. The National Institute of Health funded a $400,000 Study on Gay Sex in Argentina Bars. The debt of the country is reaching levels not seen since WWII. Unemployment is almost at 9%, the highest in more than two decades. The big three American auto makers have lost their dominance of the car market to Japanese companies. China owns more than a trillion dollars in U.S. government bonds. Congress is considering taxing soda and candy. These are just a few of challenges America faces today.

Naturally, it is easy to see what is going wrong than to congratulate what is going right. Regardless, one cannot help but be sober about the current outlook for the country. The President was correct in proclaiming that change is upon us. However, the change that appears to be happening is not what the country wants and or needs at the moment. Hopefully, with the a bright light now shining down on the roaches that have made a home in Americas basement, a real sense of urgency to grow in the public to grasp at wisdom instead of short gain, and effectiveness over empty distractions