Well, combining my lack of anything truly productive to do and my semi-decent Photoshop skills, I decided to take a stab at designing a better patch. I came up with three. Two of them are takes on the current design and the third goes in a different, somewhat better direction.
First, for reference, here is the patch that will be worn in 2009:
Patch 1 -- Original:

Patch 2 -- "Arches":

Patch 3 -- "Backdrop":

Patch 4 -- "Oval":

Cast your vote!