This is a clear symbol of the current US budgetary crisis and the "fiscal cliff". Each member of congress is represented by a single "dirty dread" being carried through along a path leading to an inevitable fate. Through the water which represents the US as a whole, you can see daylight warmth and freedom. Congress is incapable of reaching this however because they are being carried forward by the "vacuous surfer" that is the congressional process. Much paddling, and fine footwork brought the process to it's current state, but now they have little ability to alter course. We've collectively been through this before, and we know that it is merely a matter of moments before the wave crashes on our heads and attempts to drown us. Hopefully we can paddle back up to daylight through the backside of the wave before the riptide threatens to suck us under.