Perhaps more intriguing than the quantity of machines is what they are said to vend. They have, throughout their modern history, distributed everything from cigarettes to life insurance policies, live lobsters to clean underwear, and more unmentionable items than you can imagine.

OK… so who dunnit? What idiot put us in this financial crisis?

Oh sure… it’s too easy to blame our ex-president. Nothing like a scapegoat when you are looking to point a finger at someone. If your in Kellefurneea, it’s a Governator that we can blame all our tin plated troubles on.

But let’s really look at who is responsible. By pointing the finger at a person place or thing, there are three other fingers pointing right back at you.

So who’s to blame? Yep… it’s us, as a people, we are responsible for all this crapola.

You can blame the oil companies for sending the price of gasoline over five bucks. But who kept buying gas and did not change their driving habits or make sure their vehicles were getting the best mileage that it possible could?

We did…

You can blame the mortgage industry for creating ARM’s and balloon payment mortgage packages that caused the unlimited foreclosures that occur today. Who signed up for those mortgages?

We did…

You can blame the private investment bankers who took your money, paid other investors their share in a Ponzi scheme, and then skipped town. Who invested in these bone head, to good to be true, systems?

We did…

You can blame the automobile makers for not making a vehicle that gets great mileage or runs on electrical/hydrogen/solar power and lasts for thirty years without a repair. But who kept buying the Hummers, the SUV’s and high powered four-by-four’s that had single digit mileage ratings and triple digit repair bills?

We did…

You can blame your elected officials who have exorbitant salaries, per-Diem’s that add thirty percent to their gross income and accept monies offered by PAC’s and special interest groups. But who voted for these political leaders?

We did…

You can blame the dramatic increase of salaries/bonuses for everyone from ditch diggers to Wall Street Managers. But who cherished his/her salary increase which would directly relate to the cost of your employers goods or services?

We did…

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When I got asked by someone recently who caused all this recession stuff, I answered that we did, as a people. And as a people, there were those who did things with respect for others and those who did things for themselves. We all do things for ourselves and rightly so. But to do things that hurt a company, the employees or the customers who use/buy/invest in the product or service being offered, and doing so to only benefit one’s self, is the most basic problem and it’s getting worse as you read this.

I was also asked how can we correct all of this. I answered that as a person, you can’t. It’s just not possible. But as a people, we can effect change. How? By being aware, helping others, teaching those who ask for help the best ways to do things for themselves and their families. Get angry when you see/hear of a disservice. Let others know about injustice. Speak up and speak out, vocally, verbally or in writing. Practice due diligence before you step out or step up for a product or service. Above all, question those things that are not right or seem to good to be true.  Inquire when something seems amiss.  Think about the impact of any choice that you make and what it will do for you, your family and those you have as friends and neighbors.

Personally, I think this whole mess started when all of the vending machines started accepting dollar bills and no longer accept pocket change…

Until next week…