While it’s impossible to accurately judge history as it happens, I cannot think of another time in American history where public cynicism (not skepticism, but the uglier cynicism) toward American government, politicians, corporations and financial institutions has been as clear.

This past week has left Americans not merely without faith that our government, or just that big, old amorphous thing we call American ingenuity, can “right the ship,” but that there is no one left to trust.  Everyone is full of it.  No one has a clue how to fix the damage, and they are all just spouting meaningless words to pretend they aren’t the scum of the earth. 

Political theater, grand-standing, arrogance, self-serving.  It no longer matters what anyone says.  Americans have finally hit the wall.  Washington can’t talk its way out of this one.  It doesn’t matter how sweet the words, how dulcet the tones.  It is all just a bunch of lies and stupidity.

There is one certainty to the American public.  No matter what comes out of this clash of titans fighting for their own piece of the pie, we are screwed.   And there is nothing we can do to stop it. 

We are screwed.

Government, prove us wrong.

Update:  Just heard on WABC-TV, that Rudy Giuliani’s firm is “uniquely positioned” to manage the $700 billion bailout by acting as the interface between the government and Wall Street.  I anticipate there will be a fee involved.

No word from Halliburton.