What do student debtors and the unemployed have in common? No, not Benito (or the millions of others who are in the same boat). Selfishness. That’s not a criticism. I’m not judgmental. It’s certainly not praise. I am not Mike Triforce. It’s not even a challenge because I am not President Kennedy.

But I would be remissed if I didn’t point out two trends and suggest that perhaps one should rethink which hole their particular cog in the machine fills.

Regular people with nothing but defaultable debt and good jobs neglect their neighbors because they are wrapped up in providing for their family. We know the folly of this because we know the fragility of employment. What if nobody ever looked past their own immediate family? A layoff to a breadwinner would mean a virtual death sentence to the family. Sadly there is some truth to this because as it turns out it is a self-fulfilling prophecy and the news highlights every extreme case, most often a good samaritan whose exploits went awry and he was left to die. Usually in New York city.

Now that’s regular people. Neighbor after family duties. But for us it’s either a) I am the neighbor that needs help or b) neighbor after I have found a job. If you’re in group A my thoughts and prayers are with you. If you’re in group B here’s why I might suggest a priority shift.

First, there are no jobs. The difference between searching five and ten hours a day is negligable. Second you will feel better about yourself if you surround yourself with people who need your help. Third, for what’s it’s worth it is the right thing to do.

Now some of you might be wondering which group you’re in. Yeah you know where your next meal is coming from and yeah you know where you’re sleeping next week but you haven’t a dime to your name and hey they are threatening to shut off your cellphone. Yeah if you have to wonder even for a second you’re in group B.  Oh, and if you’re working and you have no dependent children there is no excuse.

Now some of you have come to this conclusion already. Yeah you’re not a Saint. You’re just human. Aaaand you’re probably going down to your volunteer org. of choice and then you’re shocked to discover you are more of a hindrance than a help and that the people who decided to make this their life before the economy tanked resent you. Yes you have to earn their respect and prove yourself just like you would anywhere else. And hey if you don’t like it start your own organization.

So what can you do for your neighbor? Not much. At least not at first. Your life up to this point has been about you. So if you want to make a change you need to start at the beginning.