FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's been more than two years since I addressed the subject of our broken government on CNN - and in that time, things have gone from bad to worse.
Tonight at 7 p.m. ET, you're cordially invited to join me for an hour guaranteed to depress you. Not only is the government broken, the questions about whether it can be fixed are growing larger every day.
Just this week we've talked about:
- 75 percent of you think federal government officials are dishonest
- 86 percent of you think the government is broken
- $25 million of stimulus money spent for airport scanners that sit in storage somewhere - while some of the nation's busiest airports go without them
- Congress might as well go home. The House has passed 290 bills - the Senate has acted on none of them
- By 2019, it's estimated the national debt will rise to about $23 trillion dollars - that's more than one-third of the gross domestic product of the entire world
- At five percent interest, it will cost the taxpayers more than $1 trillion a year - without paying a single dime on the debt itself. Just interest.
- There are tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded liabilities for Medicare, and the Social Security Trust Fund consists of nothing but IOUs - which we taxpayers are also paying interest on - some trust!
It's a long list, but if you've got an hour to spare tonight, I hope you'll join me because if there's any chance at all to stop this country from circling the drain, it's going to be the average American citizen who ultimately makes it happen.
The Show airs immediately following this broadcast at 7 p.m. ET
Here’s my question to you: What do you consider the single most serious problem facing the U.S. today?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Dan writes:
The wealthy and major corporations’ control over our political process is the most serious problem. This is the root cause, everything else is a symptom. Why else would we give tax breaks for exporting jobs, looking the other way for years as illegal immigrants take over jobs and cost middle class treasures for their education, social programs and health care costs – while their CEOs reap the benefits!
Richard writes:
My suggestion for the single most serious problem facing the U.S. today: unmotivated, lazy, greedy Americans who only care about money, and a society that allows its population to worship wealth and material possessions.
Hayden writes:
A lack of comprehensive science and political education early on in kids' lives. Without a good foundation for skeptical and rational thinking provided by science, and an understanding of politics provided by better civics curricula, we can't possibly hope to have a well-educated population or better future. The U.S. routinely lands worst in science and mathematics education in the developed and industrial world, but we used to be the best. What happened?
Sherry in Denver writes:
Unemployment! My husband's been out of work for over a year. We had to move from our beautiful home because we couldn't afford the payments. I'm getting close to retirement age, my legs are shot, my back is gone, but I have to keep on working until? I'd go to the cemetery and wait but I can't afford the grounds fee.
Kent in Overland Park, Kansas writes:
I think the single biggest problem facing 'US' is that we are so separated as a people and are even further away from our government. Our people are falling into a deep depression and many are feeling helpless, and hopelessness is the only thing they see. The 'times' have broken many peoples spirit. It's this unique spirit that Americans seem to have had in the past that keeps us going, keeps our compassion for one another alive, keeps 'US' moving forward.