A border security bill has languished in Congress for months. It would provide much-needed tougher penalties for constructing and using underground border tunnels and seems a victim of our gridlocked politics.

Over just three years since the following infographic was first made, citing 2009 data on the US national debt, Washington has already run the figure up by trillions more, putting it at nearly $16 trillion. Even at 2009's levels, the scope of Washington's debt problem is breathtaking. The following infographic helps visualize just how much money America's federal government owes:

In a fundraising email sent out on Wednesday, Aug. 8, the Republican candidate for Governor of Vermont claimed that Governor [Peter] Shumlin is making marijuana decriminalization one of his top priorities, although Republican Randy Brock doesn't cite any source for that assertion.

Texas U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz has been added to the list of speakers for the Republican National Convention. GOP officials have confirmed that the Tea Party star will have a key slot during the convention.

1. Because you're tired of Congressional Gridlock.

If your like the 76.2% of Americans who disapprove of Congress, you're probably a little frustrated at the partisan bickering that's prevented the 112th Congress from getting much of anything done. What's more, they are now on a 5 week vacation, giving you even more reason to join the discussion.

2. Because you're tired of complaining.

Now approaching 16 trillion, Washington DC's debt casts a shadow over federal elections and politics. Perhaps more concerning is the debt facing cities and states across the nation. States and cities cannot print money, and it is not as easy for them to obtain loans. Nations do not go bankrupt easily. Even Greece has found a way to avoid total fiscal collapse for now.

Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies today on the improvements to inter-agency cooperation between the State Department and the Department of Defense.