How long will it be before Americans say “enough is enough”?

Just how much “change” can this country afford to tolerate?

When that time does come, when anger, frustration, fear, worry, stress and other emotions combine to bring millions of Americans close to the boiling point, how can matters be resolved without some crazies using force or others threatening some kind of uprising.

Perhaps this writer is overly concerned about the mood of the country, but it would be wrong and/or dangerous for even the most optimistic Americans to believe everything is fine in this country, that the majority of the populace is happy and content with the way things are going and that there is no need to worry about the future.

Five days before the November 2008 presidential election, candidate Obama told an audience of supporters they were only five days away from the opportunity to “fundamentally” change this country.

How many Americans had any idea at that time just how serious and intent Obama was about changing this country, making changes that would affect every citizen in the United States as well as their children and grandchildren?

Just over a year into his presidency, he has made the federal government bigger, more powerful and more intrusive than at any time in this nation’s history.

There is greater and greater government control!

There are numerous examples of how Obama has tried to take control of this country, but as dangerous and precedent-setting as these actions may be, the most dangerous and far-reaching is the manner in which he has added to this nation’s debt.

Obama, with the approval of both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, has called for greater expenditures or entitlement programs, with “trillions” and “billions” tossed around as mere numbers. Do citizens have any idea or comprehension of what these numbers, actions and Obama “changes” are doing to this country?

According to USDebtClock.org, as of Thursday, the U.S. national debt was $12,953,687,788,000. This breaks down to a debt of $41,800 for every citizen and $117,000 for every taxpayer. Interest on the debt is $1,904,269,207,000.

The unfunded liability of our Social Security program is $14,326,856,000,000, and the Medicare unfunded liability is $75,381,309,000. The total unfunded liability facing this nation and its citizens is $108,000,000,000,000, or $351,000 per citizen.

Of course, all of these figures are larger today than they were on Thursday — by millions of dollars.

We read about the riots in Greece, where the government is deeply in debt, and yet, the United States is headed right down the same road with Obama plowing ahead to increase the debt and enrich various entitlement programs.

Is there any concern in Washington about when, if ever, the chickens come home to roost, what severe, painful actions will have to be initiated to have any chance of keeping this country from going bankrupt?

Since moving into the White House, Obama has initiated actions to take over major sections of our automobile industry, the banking industry, control of what some individuals are allowed to earn, our housing industry, health care, the environment, student loans, education and on and on. Without any hearings or approval of any federal body, he has appointed czars to control various sections or segments of our industry and society.

All of this has occurred in the early part of his presidency. What more is planned?

It isn’t surprising that the public, at least the part of the public that isn’t on the public teat, is becoming increasingly concerned. However, apparently to counter this concern, Obama continues to increase the number of entitlement recipients. Could this be to try to capture their votes in the upcoming 2010 and 2012 elections?

The lack of leadership and courage by those in Congress is a disgrace. Collectively, they do not reflect the mood and interests of those they were elected to represent. It’s hard to see what motivates their votes. Do they think they are voting in the best interests of the country and its future? Do they care what their constituents think? Are they completely under the influence of the president, or what?

Based on numerous public opinion polls, it’s not surprising two longtime incumbent members of Congress, one a Republican and one a Democrat, recently were defeated in primary elections. Does this send a message to other incumbents seeking re-election this fall? How are they going to explain or justify their spending and lack of attention to the wishes and desires of those who sent them to Washington?

The situation in Arizona is a disgrace. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was forced to take action when the Obama administration — as did the Bush administration — failed to take firm, effective action to protect the border between Arizona and Mexico. Are other similar situations likely to spring up around the country?

This is just one more sign of the public’s growing anger and lack of confidence in Washington.

When will common sense, following the public’s wishes, protecting this country, keeping this country militarily strong and following the Constitution, not trying to build consensus and be politically correct, be the yardstick for those in Washington — in the White House, in Congress and in our courts?