Don't blame me! Does that sound familiar?
It seems like we are living in the era of blamers. We even have a phrase, which describes this malady, called "the blame game." Our political representatives often point fingers at someone else rather than accepting responsibility for the messes that they get us into. It's common to see bumper stickers that say, "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For So-and-So."
When I was in elementary school, I remember a teacher once saying that when we point a finger at someone else, we have three pointing back at ourselves. We are too quick to say, "I didn't do it," when something gets broken. Whatever happened to the concept of taking personal responsibility for one's actions?
Since the end of World War II, we as a nation have had an easy time of it. There have been bumps in the road like Korea and Vietnam and a recession or two along the way. For the most part, however, we have enjoyed prosperity like never before in the history of our country. If you have doubts, think about how many big-screen TVs there are sitting in living rooms and the children running through malls sporting cell phones and texting their little buddies.
Those of us in the so-called middle class seized the now-generation ad theme that touted "you deserve a break today" and bought second cars, granite countertops and stainless steel washer-dryer sets for the laundry room. Some buy $3 cups of coffee, pay for a drink of water and eat lunches out rather than carry them in a brown bag. Life is good, isn't it?
Home ownership used to be referred to as the "American dream." It was a goal that people worked toward and saved for. If the prospective homeowners couldn't muster 20 percent down and couldn't support the mortgage with their income, they continued to rent a dwelling and saved their pennies until they could meet the requirements. Sometimes they achieved their goal and sometimes they didn't. It was not a birthright.
My folks were hard workers and were able to buy a house in the small town where I spent my youth. In those days, people were happy if they could have their own home and they were proud of it. Neighborhoods were stable; you became acquainted with the folks on the other side of the fence and kids played ball in the streets. Once a family acquired a house, they set another goal: paying off the mortgage. This usually took from 15 to 20 years depending on the loan. When that day came, it was customary to host a "mortgage burning party" and all the neighbors were invited. It was a time to rejoice in the fact that you were no longer indebted to the bank or the savings and loan; you were finally free and clear. Is anyone else thinking of the Jimmy Stewart Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" and the Bailey Building & Loan?
For the most part, aside from a few far-off conflicts, our nation has enjoyed a relatively prosperous and peaceful existence. The stock market, we thought, always went up. Real estate prices never went down and if you wanted to work, there was always a job. Doctors even made house calls.
On Sept. 11, 2001, our comfort levels were forever changed. Not since Dec. 7, 1941, had American soil come under attack where American lives were lost here at home. This was a wake-up call. It was the cold, wet washcloth of reality being slapped across our faces.
There are people out there, we discovered, who don't like us and wish to do us great harm. That might be putting it mildly. They despise us and want to destroy us along with our way of life. Hopefully we have learned a lesson from this and will never allow our leaders to forget that cowardly attack. We must never relax our vigilance and preparedness.
I, like many Americans, am glad that 2008 is behind us and look forward to the new year we have now begun. We witnessed the mortgage and banking industry meltdown, the stock market go in the tank, our domestic auto industry teeter on the brink of disaster, unemployment at record levels and conflicts pop up around the globe.
There is plenty of blame to go around on both sides of the aisle, but now is the time to unite and move forward together. We still live in the greatest country in the world.
Wishing you all the best in 2009, and God bless America!
Ed Hungness and his wife owned their cottage on Fife Lake for six years before moving there after his retirement in 2005. His writing draws from life experiences and a love for the outdoors and northern Michigan. He can be reached at edhungness@yahoo.com.
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