Here are two YouTube videos that offer contrasting perspectives on the events of the past few years:

The first is a trailer from a new documentary premiering on HBO on July 9th, "Hard Times: Lost on Long Island":

And the second is a commentary by an individual who, based on prior uploads, comments, and likes, leaves little doubt about which way he leans:

As those who've been following Financial Armageddon since it began more than five years ago can attest, I've always made it clear that I am politically agnostic. I believe that both parties have a share of the blame for the mess we're in, largely because their interests are not aligned with those of the man on the street.

While many people might naturally think that I sympathize with the right -- which is true in certain respects -- I did write any number of posts criticizing President Bush, his apparent incompetence and detachment from reality, and his Administration's mishandling of the economy -- and the financial crisis -- while he was in office.

That said, it's hard to look at where things stand nowadays -- as evidenced by the first video and what I've been writing about day after day -- and what President Obama has done since he came into office, riding on a huge wave of popular approval and with lots of political capital to spend, and not think the creator of the second video has a point -- that is, what an utter clown show the current Administration has been.

(Image: source)

Still, in light of my expressed views that the sun is setting on the American empire, a key theme of my third book, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that we keep ending up with leaders -- or should I say failures -- who are well-suited to the times.