Totally agree that we have a dysfunctional system in DC and in many of the state houses.  Fourth winter and there is definitely a vision for our future compliments of the control of the Dems/Libs since January 2007 when they took both houses of Congress.  It only increased the speed of the decline since all career politicians I have seen are equally corrupt.  There must be something in the water down there in DC.  The Progressive agenda has been slowly implemented since TR and Wilson over 100 years ago.  As a matter of fact, Lobbyists started with Grant when people with their own agenda would "chat" with Grant in the lobby of the hotel he used to frequent for after work drinks and dinner - hence the orign of the name. 

We have all been too complacent and uninvolved for too many years, trusting the people we elect, based on the pork they bring "home".  The entitlement mentality has strong roots and is only getting worse, as is evidenced by OWS.  Sad, very sad.  What happened to our determination to work hard to get what we want?  Am afraid that too many people are thinking that the European model is the best way to go.  We had a French exchange student for 2 different summers and I was shocked to hear that the government determines not only wage scale, but when you can work.  On top of that, he said that they pay 70% for taxes and have a mandatory retirement age, whether you are still able to work or even want to continue working.  We are seeing how well that model is working for Europe.  We need to reinforce that you are responsible for attaining your happiness - the only thing guaranteed is the "pursuit of happiness" and with that comes the possibility of failure as well.  It has gotten so bad that even sports events for children do not keep score so no one's feelings are hurt.  Unfortunately, what is hurt is the child's incentive to work harder to succeed.