In the past week, I like many of my fellow Americans have with much apprehension watched TV, listened to radio and read newspapers as an unprecedented event of national crisis unfolds, the collapse of our financial markets.

Amid American’s anger, frustration, fear and concern many questions make their way to the forefront: How did this happen? Who is responsible? Can it be fixed? Who will fix it? What can I do?

It happened due to corruption, greed, gross negligence and apathy. Not just from CEO's but also by those who enabled them, our elected officials, many that now would have us believe they will supply the fix. The rest of us should not piously exclude ourselves for many have allowed instant gratification to cloud judgment, resulting in poorly managed finances.

As Americans we survived 911, then fought to inoculate ourselves through stronger defense and safeguards against those who would destroy us. Will this cancer from within now do what the terrorist failed to do?

We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to successfully end this crisis. Look into their expectant faces: Will apathy and inaction cause them to stand in bread lines or will our work and determination secure the happiness they so rightly deserve.

One of the strongest tools we have at our disposal is the handle in the polling booth. Use it wisely on November 4th.