What a great word althought it probably means different things to different people, to me it means: You can do anything you want, just be prepared to take responsibility, Don't blame someone else for the way reacted, if you broke it fix it.

I had a moment in 1994 that let me know it was my duty as a person to leave things at least as I found them, do not be an inconvience in someone's life and if possible be a positive. Always keep your word.

I have made a few mistakes, I have taken care of them, fixed them if you will. I have "changed my mind" but paid for that right as well. Some at great cost to me financially, some at a great cost of time. But all worth it, I never have to look over my shoulder.

Society also has accountability, we as a group have made decisions. When we make good ones we prosper, when we make bad ones we suffer. Nessecity and human nature almost always force groups to make short term decisions, what is best today. This makes sense, we do not want to suffer short term to benefit long term. Quiet frankly most in society are not educated enough to measure long term gain, not their fault, whose is it, well I can promise one thing no one will take accountability!

There is great book I read a couple years ago talking about Accountability and Consequences. It was written by Jared Diamond and it is callediamond"> Collapse . This should be manatory reading for anyone making decisions affecting others.

I now own a home and have for 2 years that is the result of one of the counties most notable agents screwing someone, for $7800. They lied to the client, they know they lied, they scrambled to cover up the lie when they were caught and blamed everyone else. No accountability, one of my agents was invovled in the transaction ( on the wrong end of the lie), guess who stepped up? Guess who was accountable? Guess who has never put a nickle in front of doing the right thing?

Why? Education, planning, a consciense. I feel it a nessicity to do the right thing and make peoples lives better, others feel the need for new car, (or in most cases, new tires for an old one).

We as a society have the ability to put reward this efforts of accountable companies and individuals through commerce. We don't. It is sad.

I wathced a show last night about the 67 Detroit riots. It said the big three started building factories outside of Detroit immediately following. Coincidence? I think more action reaction. We all know the state of the Flint economy...did the original sit down strike stick in the craw of GM? As one senior General Motors Executive told me the other day, "we now spend more on Viagra than steel". Did the UAW take too much short term, and pilliage the long term?

We hear all the time that the automotive industry in America is dead from our state leaders. Tell that to the leaders of Alambama, Kentucky and other southern states. The number two automaker in the world now makes the number one selling car in America in Georgetown Kentucky. It is Toyota.

We have talked about the brain drain in Genesee County. Seemed like a good idea to tell kids to move on, there was nothing here. Now there is not. But some of my generations biggest contributions have come from Flint Natives. If this talent had colaborated here what could have happened? Could the infrastructure been utilized to it potential and jobs created? Jobs that could support nice restaurants and shops and neighborhoods?

I guess what I am asking is did a whole generation take from Flint? Did they rape and pilliage the automotive industry then bitterly tell the next generation to leave? Tuff Topic in our area....just a question. What will history say?

On a bigger scope, it is no secret that the real estate market was propelled by greet and rediculous lendging practices over the last 7 years. Again, everyone looking to make the buck today without any regard for tomorrow.

The dot.com boom, greed. There were companies worth more than Cambell Soup Co. that had never sold a product.

Who is taking responsibility for all these messes? No one! Money is not lost. That is my biggest pet pieve. Headlines say "billions lost in mortgage mess". Lost like we left it on the desk, came back and it was gone. No! This money was transferred, it is a zero sum gain. billions out-billions in, someone has it, it is not lost.

We are making big mistakes in every part of society because we are not looking long term, I don't have the answers, well some maybe. But they will not make anyone rich tomorrow so no one will listen.

The good news is "we can not be as stupid alone as we are as a group"

What about personal accountability?

We are hearing a lot about that right now out of Ann Arbor, new coach broke his word to old school. Old school wants $4,000,000. Who is right? In my eyes the old school. I agree with Coach going to Michigan, what an honor. But broken contracts and promises deserve restitution.
What message does it send to kids that they can sign a deal, make a promise, then break it with no ramifications?

Well I am cetainly accountable to this blog, so lets hear your opinions.

Accountability is good thing, it helps with decision making, it helps with planning.