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Wake up America, it's time for a change! Oh yes, change is coming, but perhaps not exactly what is expected.

With a newly elected president about to take office, there's much excitement in the air. People seem to have placed Obama high upon a pedestal, like a coming messiah. Hope is a wonderful thing, a necessary thing, but when people begin to look to one man to solve all the problems in the country, it seems a very unfair burden to place upon the shoulders of one individual.

What about individual responsibility? Oh dear, there is that very offensive word "responsibility" that these days is only whispered in the dark corners of the psychologist's office. Yes, personal responsibility, that which everyone seems to feel is someone else's job. It's time for Americans to stop and take a look at how each and every one of us plays a part in how our country came to be in this mess.

Did one man cause all the problems in this nation? No, and it is ridiculous and irrational to think so. While our country is led by our president, he is not the only person in power. Congress is full of politicians who can and should be held equally responsible for the many problems facing our nation now along with the myriad of other politicians and government agency heads.

How do we come to blame one individual for the current credit crisis? We all know that corporate greed played a huge part in it but what about the personal greed of the American consumer? Was it the President that told you to buy that house you knew you couldn't afford? Did he personally twist your arm in making the decision to pull that already overused credit card out of your wallet for yet another item you don't really need but just had to have? Never mind that you're already having trouble meeting your monthly payments.

Yes, it is indeed time for a change. Change in how each and every one of us handles our personal finances. Change in our attitude that "stuff" is more important than our fellow human beings. Change in our level of participation in our communities, and local and national government. That means we stop sitting in front of the evening news complaining about how affronted we are by the government's latest faux pax and get up off our cushy couches and go do something about it.

Stop reaching into your wallet for your credit card and start reaching out to your neighbors. Get up from sitting in front of that computer, playing games or complaining in some chat room and go sit in on a local town meeting to learn what's going on in your community. Turn off the television and turn up at a local volunteer organization to see how you can lend a hand. If every American starts taking personal responsibility, even in a small way, then absolutely a time of change will come.

The famous words from former President John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country", never rang truer than they do today. It wouldn't be a bad idea if everyone went back and read that entire inauguration speech again. You may be quite surprised at how relevant it is to our current situation. You may even find yourself feeling quite inspired. Be sure to read the part where he reminded us - " In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course."

Learn more about this author, Erin Ahmed.
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