As we enter the closing days of what has become a controversial pre-administration the time come to take history’s first passing glance at what has just transpired. On November fourth, 2008 President-elect Barack Obama won the national election. It’s hard to believe, but a child born on that day would already be almost three months old, and would likely have no recollection of the high hopes that we as a nation held at that moment. That child has never lived under a transitional government that didn’t favor competence, pragmatism, and relevant experience over righteous indignation and brittle ideology. If we were to tell that child that there was a time when political victory spelled uncompromising, self-righteous pursuit of the most polarizing, damaging, and downright fanciful agendas of the victorious parties most radical elements, the child would think it a fairy tale, a golden myth of no more relevance than Camelot. I can assure you of this because I have tried this very experiment; the shameful youth mocked me with spit bubbles and repeated attempts to suck his toes.

But for those of us who have some basis of comparison, these days of pre-presidency have become a cruel mockery. One that none of us could have anticipated in the heated hopes of that cold November evening when Barack Obama first addressed the nation as president elect. Frozen forever in our minds are the tear stained faces in the crowd, both famous and humble, all swept away in the massive relief and uniquely American triumph of the moment. We believed that the national embarrassment of George W. Bush was over, that a new chapter of American greatness and compassion would be written in the ashes of eight years lumbering miscalculation. Suddenly the refrain, “Yes we can” was no longer a rhetorical flourish, it was a breathtaking reality, for there on that cold fall night in Chicago stood the evidence.

And yet here we are, near three months later, on the very eve of the end of transition and what have we to show for it? An economy in turmoil, two endless wars, and an outgoing executive branch that uses torture unapologetically. Is this the promised change that brought millions to the polls, the new hope that inspired a generation, or just another slippery Chicago politico selling snake oil?

Obama apologists will say “Oh come on, he isn’t even president yet. He can’t shape policy.” You know what, they also said that Bronko Nagurski was washed up, just a side show brought in by the Bears to sell tickets, well tell that to the 1943 Washington Redskins. The point is, it doesn’t matter whether you have no constitutional power or two bad knees and a fissured back. At some point you have to get in there and score a game winning touchdown, or at the very least pass sweeping financial reform. But, I guess Obama would prefer to spend his time nominating people for cabinet positions, working with the legislature to craft signature ready bills, and prioritizing the stunning list of horrific executive orders that need to be countermanded.

And these nominees, Tom Daschle, Hilary Clinton, Eric Holder… these are all people I’ve heard of, people who have worked in government before. Is that change? I don’t think so. If you’re going to change things you need to shake them up. Going back to the old government well and hiring experienced thoughtful people just isn’t going to cut it. Of course, I have a few ideas of my own. For the head of the CIA I’m thinking Philip Agee. Now a lot of people will probably say, “Um, he’s dead,” and “He made a career out of revealing state secrets.” Well yes, that’s true, but he was in the CIA back when being a spy was really kick-ass and he died in Cuba. What else do want from the guy? I’m thinking Cornel West for secretary of education. He’s from Princeton, he’s got amazing hair, and he tends to speak in slam poetry. In other words, he’s perfect. For defense I would go with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It gives you a chance to reach across the aisle, he is always ready with an amusing pun in the face of violent death, and there isn’t a world leader that he couldn’t beat in arm wrestling.

The point is, I’m just a guy with a keyboard doing some spit-balling and it took me about five minutes to come up with more change than Obama has in his entire transition period. History is a capricious mistress, and certainly years must past before her mind settles on an understanding of an event. But I think we can all agree that Obama’s first hundred days before taking office have been a big disappointment.