This article points out some reasons for the bitter tone in American politics today, one of which is the "Baby Boomer generation".
There is a split of the Baby Boomer generation between those who fought in the Vietnam War and those who didn't, and that has had a profound effect on our politics.
The early boomers were more conservative and followed the rules, more or less, without question. The later half of the boomers became the questioners of rules, distrusting of those over 30 years of age, became hippies and protested government and the Vietnam War.
I found an article from the TheAtlantic.com which states in much better words than I could sum up, my exact feelings about the unique difference that Barack Obama presents in this time of our lives. Again, I want to make clear that these are not my words, but my exact thoughts, written by an excellent award winning journalist (Identified below). I have added my personal thoughts in my posting, as well as the relationship to the Baby Boomer generation, which is the subject of my personal blog. Davy's Locker
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200712/obama by by Andrew Sullivan (click his name for his BIO)
This article puts into eloquent words the idea that I have been saying within my family and close friends. This election is NOT just about the immediate future and the issues that the United States faces. Although our home issues are great and complicated and will face our next president square on and most likely age him or her greatly, there are world issues that face us all. I, for one, am well aware that Hillary can indeed do much to fix our broken economy and health insurance mess,...yes, from her experience, but so will Obama! Their campaign promises are nearly identical and that is the reason this campaign is so close. They must point out the differences of their personal behaviours and capabilities. When Barack began clearly closing the gap in the polls and Hillary realized she was losing ground, she had to work on pointing out what she can offer that is different that Barack's personality and ask voters to not just look at his excellent words and inspiring speeches and it has been working!
What I see that this article speaks of is beyond the issues that Hillary is bringing to the for-front of the media, but how the world is looking at this race. Hillary is really just another Clinton after all. In fact, that is indeed, why so many want to vote for her, so that Bill will also be there when that phone call rings at 3AM in the morning in the White House.
The world would see a totally unique United States with this new, inspiring, intelligent, black, multi-racial man. The world will see a possible chance to be heard... all of them, no matter what their race or origin. Maybe, just maybe.... the United States will treat the rest of the world differently... maybe there's some... HOPE!
That is what Barack Obama can bring to us more than any other candidate! HOPE for a perhaps, a calmer world. One that may think before acting and take greater strides for peace rather than conflict. Barack has already brought so many different kinds of people together through his message of inspiration and HOPE.
As the article points out at the end... Barack Obama presents the final answer to the gap between the Baby Boomer split generation and an answer that we can ALL deal with and HOPE for a better future.
3 comments:
Interesting take on Boomers and the '08 election. Relevantly, there is a growing consensus in the media, and among experts, that Obama is not a Boomer, nor an Xer, but instead is a member of Generation Jones (born 1954-1965, the heretofore lost generation between the Boomers and Xers).
Just in the last month or so, several top media outlets, including The New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, and NBC, have all made the argument that Obama is specifically part of Generation Jones. I also heard a panel of generations experts recently on a national radio show discussing this specific issue, and four of the five experts conlcuded that Obama is, in fact, a GenerationJoneser…that his bio and political worldview closely match the GenJones archetype.
check out another posting of mine that speaks of the Generation Jones factor http://lindbergblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/generation-jones.html
Hi Dave,
How's your blog coming?
Did you find a writing class? Check this post for a typo and spacing error.
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