Washington screeching to a halt because they had to pass so many bills would be wonderful. That would imply that they actually had to read all of each bill and know what it was about (I think somebody proposed a bill like that which was immediately rejected.) Further, if they only had time to pass necessary bills, maybe government would be less intrusive. Just a thought. I think it was Sam Clemens who said something like "No mans liberty or wallet is safe when congress is in session."
Thanking W for showing us how badly government can foul up, would be like expecting the Cambodians to thank the Kymer Rouge for reminding them that death exists. At a certain point there are no more excuses. W is way past that point. I suspect that the last bunch of presidents have screwed things up so badly that our government as it stands, is past repair. I'd like to be wrong...