Can a football game replace the State of the Union speech?

The lessons we can learn from the Super Bowl.

Roman Numerals, have been sacrificed in the educational curriculum for self-esteem. Now people can feel good about themselves as they look at a series of symbols that have absolutely no meaning. In short; Roman Numerals have joined manners, algebra, similes and metaphors on the ash heap of cultural roadkill.

Performing at halftime is a kiss of death, both professionally and literally. Carol Channing, Michael Jackson, The Indiana Jones Franchise and George Burns are examples of the Grim Reaper Dance Team.  While Up with People, Mickey Rooney, New Kids on the Block, Diana Ross, The Blues Brothers, Boyz II Men, Chaka Khan, 'N Sync, Aerosmith, Britney Spears, Nelly, U2, Shania Twain, Kid Rock, Janet Jackson's breast, Prince, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones have exhausted their creativity, become political shills  or married and then divorced one legged advocates for removing land-mines from military arsenals.

The obvious solution is to get rid of “pop-culture icons” and replace the halftime entertainment with the traditional marching bands. Allow people to go to the bathroom, refresh the Doritos bowl and introduce the second half hors d'oeuvres.

Somehow Eminem avoided performing at a halftime. Instead he was able to use his credibility, as a rapper, to explain Detroit is back in the game.  Rappers ooze self-esteem,  at the same time they can't read Roman Numerals… This allows them to offer salient social commentary. A better spokesman would be one of Bob Denver's kids. They can explain, how their father was on Gilligan's Island and the city of Detroit is a simile for the castaway's fate... to quit looking at their plight as a tragedy, and see the funny side.

The Motor City, for one long and glorious stretch of history, was the most powerful municipality in the world. From 1943 to the early 60s GM, Ford and Chrysler exemplified all that was right about  our country. Today the municipality continues to enjoy unmitigated spending, despite the fact they have no tax base and the jobs have gone away of the Brontosaurus. Yet any number of Gilligans,  continue to flummox about looking for solutions that involve stimulus money, government assistance and a powder made from unicorn dandruff and nacho cheese.

When there is a reason to live and work in Detroit, the people will return.