Nov. 4, 2008, is a historic day because it marks the end of an economic era, a political era and a generational era all at once. Economically, it marks the end of the Long Boom, which began in 1983. Politically, it probably marks the end of conservative dominance, which began in 1980. Generationally, it marks the end of baby boomer supremacy, which began in 1968. For the past 16 years, baby boomers, who were formed by the tumult of the 1960s, occupied the White House. By Tuesday night, if the polls are to be believed, a member of a new generation will become president-elect. So today is not only a pivot, but a confluence of pivots.
Economically, it marks the end of the Long Boom, which began in 1983. Politically, it probably marks the end of conservative dominance, which began in 1980. Generationally, it marks the end of baby boomer supremacy, which began in 1968. For the past 16 years, baby boomers, who were formed by the tumult of the 1960s, occupied the White House. By Tuesday night, if the polls are to be believed, a member of a new generation will become president-elect.
So today is not only a pivot, but a confluence of pivots.
I suppose this means there's going to be a Chinese warehouse of hyperbole.
(Yes, I know it's not a Chinese form, but I'm in a hurry.)
First snow, then silence the rovian plan dies so beautifully
Yeserday it worked today is does not rove math is like that keep to the Fen Causeway
The next generation may still put money on the market for their pensions, but even if they do, their flows into the market will be compensated by outflows of the boomer generation, drawing pensions.
Politically, you could also say that the generation that fought for a lot of individual rights and (social) freedoms got slightly intoxicated by the (economic) freedoms that came along somehow and the individualism they fostered. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Baby boomers also have observed their kids becoming teens and doing the teen things. As a result, boomers rediscovered religion - there's no better way to keep your kids in check, and doing drugs and free love is much more fun than watching your kids doing the same -which helped Republicans, of course. But the effect is wearing off. Will GOP become the AARP political wing now?
What is also clear now is that window of opportunity for hurting Social Security has closed forever.
"The torch has been passed to a new generation..."
Oh. Never mind... "Ideas or the lack of them can cause disease." - Kurt Vonnegut
How about you? Are you going to party like its 2008? "Ideas or the lack of them can cause disease." - Kurt Vonnegut
Can this many polls have missed that many Catholics and other religious rightists and other wackos? Does the news that gun sales are up 10% in the US fit into this equation?
I had faith in the youth vote, among others, last time...
One thing is for certain, I will not get my hopes up and jinx this thing. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
