The year 2008 was one of the most expensive years in our history. Every American has been strengthened by the idea that change will come through a new leader with bright ideas and a determination to leave behind a legacy of poor decisions by the previous administration that had not only attracted widespread criticism from around the world but had precipitated the nation in economic meltdown. We are heading into 2012 and the current administration has not shown enough momentum to push forward with its campaign to bring about change. We were promised an end to the war in Afghanistan by July 2011, salvation from rising debts and universal healthcare. So far I have observed minimal developments in these areas. According to the Treasury Department, the United States has a debt of 14 trillion, making the United States the country with the highest debt in the world. Most of the debt was incurred through misguided policies aimed at constantly increasing military spending by expanding wars and building sophisticated, unnecessary weapons. The debt issue directly caused two events that threatened national unity on government spending in 2011 alone. Among them was the budget brawl between Republicans and Democrats, which threatened a government shutdown, but was fortunately averted last moment, and recently the dispute over raising the debt ceiling. With these events unfolding unexpectedly, a common man is unlikely to be assured of a bright future when the government cannot even make voluntary decisions to compromise with each other and find transparent solutions. The recent debt ceiling agreement is expected to further increase deficit spending. This booming industry is disastrous for the economy because for every dollar we have… middle of paper… war veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. Works Cited Devin, Dwyer., & Martinez, L. “Costs of Afghanistan War Loom Over Obama Troop Announcement” Abcnews.go.com June 22, 2011. Web. August 5, 2011Johnson, Chalmeres. “737 US Military Bases = Global Empire” alternet.org February 19, 2007.Web. August 5, 2011. United States. Treasury Department. Public Debt Office. The Debt to the Penny and WhoHolds. Network. August 5, 2011. United States. White House. Office of Management and Budget. The federal budget fiscal year 2012. Network. August 5, 2011. United States. White House. Office of the press office. Remarks by the President in the State of the Union Address. Network. August 5, 2011.Wooldridge, Frosty. “ Afghanistan and Iraq: Where the American Empire Dies ” rightsidenews.com. June 23, 2011. Web. August 5. 2011.