I think you greatly underestimate the seriousness of the state of the country. In case you haven't noticed, the economy is crashing now. It is not a future event if you are paying attention. Maybe it is because your degree is in economics that you have such a tenuous grasp of the current reality as it applies to the economic and cultural status of the U.S.

Something better change for the better and REALLY SOON - as a consequence of the actions of the "Tea baggers" or whatever or your gains from ECU are going to matter not one whit as the nation descends into chaos.