by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: September 30, 2008   Last Updated: October 19, 2010

Economic accountability: Who is responsible? We are all responsible to some degree to what is happening in today's market; we may not even understand the complicated rhetoric and the mathematical equations that we hear, but financial panic is catching. If they are losing money then my social security payments, my job, my small investments may be affected if my bank fails. Recession and its consequences affect everyone.

How then, we ask, are we, the poor workers and ill paid day laborers and the one pay check away from starvation responsible for the big mess we are in? How dare you accuse us? They are responsible. They meaning the government who allowed those swindlers to get away with their overblown business practices. Put them in jail and throw away the key, they shout.

Wait a minute. They, the government is us. We voted them in. They sprang from the same spoiled bunch of non compliance workers and grumblers and finger pointers as we did. They too may be somewhat lacking in common sense as we are - the common sense of living within one's means and earning the right to what we own and use. If we are smarter than they are, then why aren't we in there doing a better job?

It is true that bad judgment and greed and outlandish advertising and deregulation caused a lot of the problems, but why did so many of us go along? Why did we use our hard earned money for appearances rather than for good solid foundations for the future? I will tell you. It is simpler to go along than it is to stand up and contradict and point out viewpoints that may be overlooked by others.

After all, we are all God's children and therefore may have insights needed. How many times have we kept quiet when speaking out would have lessened someone else's burden? How many times have we gone along rather than walk away?

Now let's stand up and brace ourselves and march confidently on. We are not weaklings and we can, with God's help overcome any disaster, any setback. We remind ourselves that this is only a journey and the downsized economy is nothing more than unpaved territory. It will be up to us to dodge the potholes along the way. What we will have learned in the process will be worth the expense we paid for it.

Life then seen as a journey toward truth and a better way for our children will hold no obstacle too difficult to overcome. So let us stop grumbling and finger pointing and look to where we have failed. Maybe this attitude of live and let live will work if it is directed toward the source of blame. That means applying it equally to ourselves. Remember this simple little prayer that was once said often but now is seldom heard: Lord help me make this a better world and let it begin with me.

Learn more about this author, Effie Moore Salem.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.