A is a set of guiding principles for recovery from addictive, compulsive, or behavioral problems. The addict, as a direct result of their addiction, usually suffers from low self esteem as well as spiritual, emotional and most times financial bankruptcy.

The 12-Step methodology while originally devised for alcoholism and then drug addiction has gone on to be applied to a myriad group of excesses and abuses.

It is my contention that a 12 step program might be a near perfect solution to an ailing America which, in my opinion, is now suffering and in urgent need of an and a rigorous program of recovery.

Few would argue the the U,S, government is ailing terribly, nearing financial and moral bankruptcy with Americas self esteem possibly at its lowest point since the depression.

We now have presidential candidates, each promising to be the next “great uniter” who could and would resuscitate a sickly America, however, I fear that “the patient” may be beyond needing just a shot in the arm, CPR, and some fluid replacement.

America’ s suffering stems from deep rooted core issues meaning rah, rah sessions and bandaid solutions are not going to return our country back to “America the Beautiful”.

The 12-step method is foundational and could be adopted to be applied to America but it would take something that every politician seems to have a major problem with and that is admittance. Admitting that there is a problem without “spinning it” or “minimizing it”. This is the first of the twelve steps. Admitting that America does have a problem and that our system has become unmanageable. The principle of Step 1 is honesty.

The 2^nd step has to do with “coming to believe” that outside powers could assist us which means that we would have to put aside any national false pride and accept help.The principle behind this step is hope.

Step 3 requires a “turning over” process which means reliance on powers besides our own. The principle of this step is faith.

The 4^th step is where a lot of potential recoverers balk and in this case would require a brutally honest look at our country “the system” and the health of our democracy and its shortcomings. The principle of this step is courage.

I could go on through the other eight steps but for the sake of brevity will not do so in this article and will save it for another day. I will, however, end with the 12th step which has to do with “carrying the message” to those in need. The prerequisite to do so is to have worked the previous eleven steps so that you can share the benefit of that experience. What tends to happen is that people, in their zeal to save the world, forgo the other steps and attempt to help others and the only thing they end up sharing is their disease. WORK THE STEPS first and then carry that message which is what America used to do. The principle of this step is service.

I do know that it is somewhat silly and certainly unrealistic for a whole country to practice a “program of recovery” but there are valuable lessons and insights that can be can from considering what is written here. The “Program” states that the only things necessary to recover is honesty, open- mindedness, and willingness. It goes on to say, “with these we are well on our way”