The Big A

While I'm ranting, why not tackle the subject most underrated in the wake of a difficult week, Accountability. It goes hand-in-hand with integrity. How often do we hear, "I was unaware ... not in control ... not in charge." Or, "I am under such pressure, I can't keep my commitments." Here is my favorite from both sides of the aisle in the government shutdown: "The demands we're making are not unreasonable demands." Denial and deflection have become high art in our society. Does it seem to you, they are simply reflected in our politics?

I live in a transitional urban neighborhood. There are still plenty of issues, in spite of recent development. A major theft caused one business to close its doors within months of opening. Tagging, graffiti and other vandalism are commonplace. The darker undercurrents involve drug dealing, as well as registered and un-registered sex offenders living in the immediate vicinity. My closest neighbors and I watch out for each other. It makes urban life bearable.   

We have a shelter in our neighborhood for homeless youth; a recent addition is 5280 Youth Center It seems it should be a good addition, a place for struggling boys and girls to attend events, eat and celebrate, although, not to congregate. (It just is not a safe place for the unwary.) 

I'll refrain from addressing the trend of 'tough love,' a holdover from a previous era, except to say this. The reality of living with derelict youth is far from ideal. Neighborhood residents endure fallout from Youth Center events -- loud, vulgar exchanges, rude behavior, damage to landscaping, littering, marijuana smoking and loitering. 

After an event this week, two giant planters were trashed, plants torn out, potting soil dumped on the sidewalk, and the watering systems pulled out. Plastic bottles, pop cans and candy wrappers abounded, and a dozen or so unsupervised males congregated behind commercial buildings. The individual in charge at 5280 Youth Center states his policy, "Once program attendees leave the facility, I am not responsible." If this has a familiar ring, refer to the first paragraph.

Life goes on, and the common undercurrent of our daily lives returns to the shocking lack of accountability in government. Washington D.C. is a reflection of our collective will or, is it our collective willingness? In any event, our elected legislators will not be picking up the tab for the $24 billion government hiatus. That will fall to American taxpayers. 

“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.”
― Thomas Paine

Meanwhile the excuses just keep rolling in, and the debt crisis is a sword of Damocles, hanging over our heads. The deadline will come relentlessly, while American citizens pay daily in deficits of trust and prestige here and abroad. We cannot any longer afford to be uninvolved. We have to be personally accountable, in order to expect accountability.

As for me, I'll have to make a trip to the Youth shelter and center, to see what I can contribute.