by Jen Hudson

Created on: March 04, 2009

"Hit Us Baby One More Time"

So far, 2009 has brought a distraught economy, two New York plane crashes, and continued warfare in Gaza. Families are losing their homes, unusually cold weather is sweeping the warmest parts of the nation, and rich CEOs want to be bailed out while the little guys struggle to make ends meet. That being said, when I think about the artists who will make the country forget all that ails us, just one name pops out. No, it's not Bono, Wyclef Jean or any other politically savvy musician.

It's Britney Spears.

Hear me out: Britney embodies the American ideals at the present time. The elder Spears is a lower-middle class girl from Kentwood, Louisiana that hit the big time after her stint on the "happiest place on earth" show, "The Mickey Mouse Club". The daughter of Jamie and Lynn Spears, Brit is just like all the dot-comers that raked in the dough during the late 90s early 2000s. They saw an opportunity to cash in on something hot at the time, and they did it.

When the web world came crashing down a few years later, these innovative minds took the opportunity to reinvent themselves, trading in their trendy jobs for mainstream entry level positions (read: telemarketing). In tough economic times, they realized they were "stronger" despite the quick occupational demise and could make it on their own, even if it meant working for the analog world.

Britney put on a Catholic school girl uniform, and said "Hit Me Baby One More Time" while the whole world played her records on repeat. When bubblegum pop became more nauseating than fresh, Ms. Spears changed from innocent school girl to sexual vixen. Britney had to reinvent herself to survive as well.

The Louisiana native has survived two failed marriages, including a Las Vegas style nuptial to childhood friend Jason Alexander that ended a mere 55 hours later. She traded in her hot blonde locks, K-Fed, and "Hey Y'alls" for a shaved head and expletives. Some might say that this circus cost Britney her career, but here she stands. Her hair has grown back, and she made a mediocre, sellout MTV special that put her back in the spotlight.

Corporate America, anyone? This is Brit's bailout!

Ready to embark on another world tour, Brit has a love-hate relationship with Americans; they love to hate her. A country that is hopeful yet facing the biggest economic crisis in 70 years is in need of a pop princess that has faced tragedy and triumphed in the face of adversity. A girl once touted as a freak show has now brought out all the tricks in her new album, "Circus". I predict this performer is going to climb out of her little clown car, and give her trademark giggle all the way to the bank. Britney Spears is back and ready to campaign for change.

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