IMHO; this is the most important sentence in your essay. Would a National Day of Repentance be a step in the right direction? Where? Led by whom? I would suggest the heart of the nation...we would need a turnout in the millions...I might go so far as to say tens of millions. Perhaps a 'human chain' of participants across the country...I'm just throwing ideas at the wall, but we NEED to repent...there is NO question about it.
Very good post. Good suggestions.