A New Time
When President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were elected, the baby boomers were elated. These were two pleasant guys, smart guys and they were one of them. They were baby boomers. The boomers were taking over the country with their own goals and ambitions. In their heart they thought they rocked the world with what their generation had produced.
Today things are different. Those rocking boomers are grey haired and older, sometimes it seems they are much much older. Much of their music is now elevator music. They find themselves turning to smooth jazz because frankly they just can’t work up an appetite for much of the “new” music.
Those mini skirts and sideburns don’t work for them any longer. Their figures have refigured themselves and underneath that hair coloring hides a lot of grey. They are still fired up but many of them have gotten where they were going.
This presidential election shows us something. While Bill Clinton was the baby boomers rock star, today there is a generation who is looking for their own rock star. The boomers had their turn and they had a hell of a lot of fun, but today it’s someone else’s turn.
Hillary can’t be the rock star her husband was with the booming rockers because those booming rockers are just about ready for some time in a rocking chair. The boomers rock, but let’s face it, so do others.
No wonder Obama is rocking the nation. He represents the generation that is where the baby boomers were sixteen years ago. This generation is old enough to take things like elections seriously. They are ready for someone to speak for them and see things the way they do.
So what do the aging boomers go when they enter the voting booth in November? Those crazy baby boomers who still believe in sex, drugs and rock and roll. Those crazy people who are so unpredictable. How will they vote? Hell, they have never done what they were told to do before, why would we start now?
Today things are different. Those rocking boomers are grey haired and older, sometimes it seems they are much much older. Much of their music is now elevator music. They find themselves turning to smooth jazz because frankly they just can’t work up an appetite for much of the “new” music.
Those mini skirts and sideburns don’t work for them any longer. Their figures have refigured themselves and underneath that hair coloring hides a lot of grey. They are still fired up but many of them have gotten where they were going.
This presidential election shows us something. While Bill Clinton was the baby boomers rock star, today there is a generation who is looking for their own rock star. The boomers had their turn and they had a hell of a lot of fun, but today it’s someone else’s turn.
Hillary can’t be the rock star her husband was with the booming rockers because those booming rockers are just about ready for some time in a rocking chair. The boomers rock, but let’s face it, so do others.
No wonder Obama is rocking the nation. He represents the generation that is where the baby boomers were sixteen years ago. This generation is old enough to take things like elections seriously. They are ready for someone to speak for them and see things the way they do.
So what do the aging boomers go when they enter the voting booth in November? Those crazy baby boomers who still believe in sex, drugs and rock and roll. Those crazy people who are so unpredictable. How will they vote? Hell, they have never done what they were told to do before, why would we start now?
posted by pissed off patricia at 2:17 AM
34 Comments:
Oh PoP, your previously LSD-laced guess is as good as mine.
You are spot on about the generational issue. The Clintons are not the young and the fresh. Anything but.
Obama on the other hand is connecting to the youthful energy that is his to connect with.
Hmmm.... your provocative question remains unanswered by me, your first commenter of the day!
I was born in 1962. According to some, that puts me near the end of the boomer generation. I don't dye my hair anymore. Sure, I did for a time, but I quit, and when I announced on St Patrick's Day that I was going gray, a drunken female stranger about ten years older than me got all saucer-eyed, gasped, and said, "WHY would you do THAT?" I said, and please pardon my French, but I'd had a couple of beers, and this is a direct quote, "Because fuck you, that's why."
All of this to prove that you're right: we will not be told what to do.
We may, however, accept an invitation to do something that seems just a little bit wild.
My mother, born in 1940, called me the morning after the Iowa caucuses. She was a school teacher, mother of three, born & raised republican. You know what she said? She said, "It's about g*d d*mned TIME your generation's gotten excited about something! It's such a joy to see! And by the time Obama was done speaking, I had tears streaming down my face. Unbelievable. I hope this surge of interest continues. I hope he makes it."
Well, we'll see.
The Baby Boomers have also watched the destruction of the country and one of their own cheerleading the cause until she decided to run for President.
That will make them look at a younger alternative.
i think you are right and i think it's time.
let's see what he can do!
It sure seems as if Obama has captured the initiative. I just want change and wonder, despite the excitement, if he has the strength and wherewithal to get it done. Once the all the Hillary hate has dissipated and the right wing turns the full force of its hate on him, how will he stand up? It is going to be very ugly.
OOO POP I'm one of those! We aren't so bad but sometimes we do hold a nation. Who knows what we'll do is right depends if we are drinking or smoking at the time. Hill has def lost her momentum, now we will see ugly!
Of course we baby boomers have aged considerably in the last few years. George Bush represents everything we fought so hard against.
I can't speak for the rest of the boomers, but when I go to the voting booth, I am just going to take a hit of acid and see how it all turns out.
I agree with fallenmonk. I keep hearing that Obama represents "change," but I haven't heard much about what he intends to "change." Vote "present" when there's a crisis? I've also found, over time, that "rock stars" often have little substance. I'm not excited about any of the candidates, but whoever wins will have a huge mess to clean up, thanks to the Clown Prince. I'm not sure a "rock star" is the kind of person we need in this situation...better someone with less flash and more elbow grease.
Hillary's timing is just a bit off. In any other election year she would be a viable candidate, but after eight years of dysfunctional government that has people yearning for change the last thing you want to do is to remind people that you're part of the status quo. Let's hope that this generation's Kennedy doesn't turn into an updated Jimmy Carter, but even if he does it would still be an improvement.
From the cusp of Boomerdom....name me a few tunes that are now elevator music....
I usually agree with you, PoP....but this is personal.
I didn't realize it was this me-generation that had decided to take interest.....I thought it was generation X and whatever the hell they are calling college age kids these days.
They'll vote for the candidate that will offer affordable hip replacement, titanium kneecaps and lithium ion powered pacemakers.
probably.
bill, the baby boomer's rock star, forgot about the honesty part of that revolution. if obama can get the new generation's vote he may figure out what changes to make. edwards gets my vote 'cause he has some idea of the fight required to make any change.
born in '42, i'm on the early cusp of boomers. i was immature enough to feel, at 26, the wave that others were catching at 16.
nice shift in the last sentence from 'they' to "we."
Since I live in the most Republican county in freaking Republican Texassss, my vote won't even freaking count, but I do intend to show up and vote anti-Republican. Too bad I no longer know where to get that hit of acid that Mike is talking about....
Oh, I like this post. I was thinking along those lines the other day. I like Hilary and all, but hell, if someone can come along and shake things up for real, just do it. It's time we realized (despite the botox and implants and facelifts) that there's another generation coming up who want their place. I'm all for it.
Obama captured most of the Democratic votes in Dixville Notch, NH, probably the "whitest" place north of a KKK rally in Alabama.
What does that tell you? That he can win voters EVERYWHERE.
I'm a boomer, born in 1951. I'm ready for a generational change. Though, truthfully, I'll vote for and work for anyone nominated by the Dems.
Maybe I'll vote for Nader in 08. ;-)
PoP, you're a genius.
FYI, Obama was born in 1961, making him a baby boomer, too.
There are plenty of baby boomers who are GOP, and even further to the right. They're not going to change. Many of them are rich, and don't intend to lose their opportunity for further plundering of this country and the world. "Free market", doncha know.
I was born in 1950. I have voted for Dems pretty consistently, except for the occasional bipartisan vote out here in the strange state of Washington. Right now I'm just waiting for all the hype to die down, and planning to vote against whatever batshit Repub is propped up, and hope the Dem candidate isn't some kind of conservative inside.
Example of '60's tune made into Muzak: "Stairway to Heaven."
I'm actually looking forward to voting for a president who is younger than myself. What a refreshing idea.
Oh, all you people are just so old and can't be counted on anything. I'm gonna go listen to some Zeppelin.
What an interesting way to put it! What a great post!
Anonymous?
I've heard "Satisfaction" (rolling stones), "Layla" (Eric Clapton) and "Free Bird" (Lynyrd Skynard) all as orchestral versions in elevators.
Just FYI
Born in 62, so Obama is "one of us" to me. I still like Edwards a lot more, but am part of the "anybody but Hillary" crowd -I don't want her brand of Republican-lite.
georgie porgie is a boomer- i am thinking that perhaps this country has had it with the boomers already. :) they have sufficiently messed up the works for their grandkids to clean up. i have nothing to say about my generation of thirtysomethings because we certainly have done nothing to be proud of. i say rock on new generation!! give it a go. can't be any worse to try than it is now.
I left a little post for Fred the cat on my blog. ;-)
As a boomer born in 1953, I am for Obama. And the reason is because of the way he can inspire. Tonight when he gave his speech after Hillary won the primary (barely, I might add; we have to remember we're talking about 3 percentage points or so) I was mesmerized. Then I caught some of her speech and it just sounded "same old same old." I know how well someone makes a speech isn't everything but it sure does help when the country is so disaffected. We need that kind of inspiration.
Hate to admit that boomers only got ourselves 2 prezzies: Bill Clinton and George W Bush. I expected sooo much more from us! But I will grab my cane & gut punch anyone who tries to tell me how I should vote. After I put in my false teeth, I'll tell them why. If I care to hear their response, I'll have to flip on my hearing aid. I won't qualify for socialized health care (medicare) for 10 more yrs, so I'm keenly interested in any candidate's health plan. I want my drugs to be cheap & readily available & to make me feel like I'm 25 again ... so that I can continue voting for another 50-yrs MINIMUM.
PoP, was born in "63 (the day after JFK assassination to be exact) and I couldn't give a rat's ass about the generational gaps that I feel is a 20th century media invention; another form of distraction that serves no purpose but to divide and conquer. My kids listen to their music AND the music of my youth (The Ramones, The Clash, Talking Heads, etc...) because they like it, in the same way I like listening to Yomo Toro, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz of my parents' generation.
For once, I want a candidate who speaks to truth, who cares about the problems this country faces, and who is willing to speak honestly about how to prioritize them. I don't expect miracles; just a workable plan.
Don't do it Mary Ellen.....too many people did it in the past and that's one reason this idiot is now the President of the US.
Thanks Sewmouse...that's really sad....
ME was kidding about Nader.
What this baby boomer will do is vote for John Edwards in the primary, because I'm not looking for a rock star. I'm looking for the candidate with the best policies. In November, I'll vote for the Democrat.
Go Generation X! Go Obama!
Living in Illinois, I saw when Obama came from out of nowhere and ran a great campaign to get into the senate. He does have the energy and he really does use it to speak to people in the age you describe (I'm 36, so I'm right there). I just don't like Hillary, she alays seems to say the things that her specific audience that she is speaking to wants to hear, but she has none of the charms of her husband. So go Obama.
Um, how about voting your conscience, maybe? ;-)
And if you find yourself thinking, "That Richard Cohen and Joe Klein make a lot of sense," slap yourself hard until you come back to reality.
Look, I can't stand the self-aggrandizing narcissism of boomers like Cohen and Klein, coupled to their almost unrelenting obtuseness (with brief moments of sanity). Not all boomers rock. Some - far too many, in positions of power - are complete tools. But y'all Dirty Friggin' Hippies rock. The point is to call out the phonies, not to be one, so as long as you're on the right side of that dynamic, it's cool. Vote for whoever you damn well think is the best.
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