When I pulled into Washington, I found a parking spot just a few blocks from the White House.  I got out and walked around for a minute.  A few people walked by, and a few even noticed my orange van out of the corner of their eye.  When I was lucky enough to grab someone’s attention, I was told that Washington is insulated from the recession due to the presence of the government.  I almost felt stupid for not having expectations of the place, but it made complete sense.

Within a few minutes, a staff writer for the Washington Post named Ylan walked up to my van, so I explained what I’m doing.  “I’m traveling the country collecting stories from people affected by the recession, and in September, it’s going on display at an art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan,” I said.  “If you have a story, you’re welcome to share it.”  She was thrilled.

Although she didn’t provide her own story, Ylan offered to help find a better parking spot that would get me closer to the White House.  We were only three blocks away.  She wanted to ride along, so I opened the passenger door, and she hopped in.

For the next 30 minutes, Ylan and I drove through Washington “looking for a parking spot” while she analyzed the heeping garbage pile that separated our seats, the stickers that plastered the inside of my van, and the gigantic crack that spans the length of my front windshield.  She asked questions.  I talked.  She tried to show me famous landmarks such as the Kennedy Center and Watergate, but I couldn’t pay attention.  Those roads are confusing.

We almost went to Maryland, or Virginia, or some other state since I was admittedly not paying attention to the road, but eventually, I found a parking space in front of Lafayette Park, just one block from the White House.  I pulled out my 50-yard Tyvek banner, markers, and signage, and proceeded to approach the front sidewalk behind the iron fence at the White House.  After collecting a great deal of story content, Ylan left so she could write a story, and I was eventually asked by the secret service to leave the area.

The secret service guy was nice, and I was respectful.  I negotiated another 30 minutes to collect stories before moving to Lafayette Park across the street, but I was kicked off the property by a park ranger almost immediately.

Throughout the day, I continued to collect stories throughout Washington.  At one point, more than a hundred people shared their personal experiences when I was situated at a fountain square on the other side of town.

People have stories.  Everywhere.  But I noticed a major disconnect between what’s going on in the government and what’s happening on the streets.  In fact, throughout the country I’m hearing angry Americans plead for mercy, and I would even say we’re on the verge of a radical and revolutionary change in the collective heart and mind of this country.

The homeless population is growing.  People are trying their damnedest to remain positive and get through this, but many are resorting to forms of escape in this harsh reality.  Drug dealing is on the rise.  People are giving up on their hometowns and moving away.  Many have nowhere to go.

Welfare assistance is a reluctant consideration, if even an option.  Mothers that demand better childcare programs aren’t finding their desired response from the government, even though their primary motive is to get back to work.  And a lot of critics are screaming, “Socialism!” while supporters fail to see any benefits from the stimulus package.

Food banks are losing money, crime is increasing, and realtors are charging flat-fees that make once-affordable homes relatively less valuable.  Banks are turning down $30,000 home loans in depressed areas, but still awarding $300,000 loans to people that can’t afford it (according to an account in Ohio).  It’s still happening; no wonder economic confidence continues to deteriorate in America.

More than anything, this project is one of therapy, through the art of listening and empathy.  When people approach me, I remain as neutral as possible.  My personal politics are irrelevant to the conversation that has been started through this project.

If there’s one common political message I’ve heard throughout the country, it’s that Washington needs to get serious about immediate results.  America is growing impatient.  America wants change.