I have only one thing in common with Donald Trump; we were both born in 1946. We are original ‘baby boomers,’ and until this year, we were the largest voting bloc in America. Millennials have now taken the lead in numbers if not voters. That is sure to change.
This is the last chance for post WWII babies to make a difference, or have a candidate Donald Trump’s age. If Hillary wins, and serves a single term, she will be 72 in 2000; Trump 74. It is a virtual reality that our 46th president will be much younger. Millennials and women will surely dominate all elections beyond 2016.
Trump’s inner circle is composed of older white men who shun the changes in America. Steve Bannon is a member of Alt-Right, a white supremacist group. Rudy Giuliani is a right wing extremist who appears to have lost a large number of brain cells. Newt Gingrich is a failed criminal and politician who attempted to deny the rights of minorities when he was a member of the House. Chris Christie is simply desperate; his political career has come to an end.
The next president America elects could be black, Hispanic, a woman, or a woman who is black or Hispanic. He or she could be a member of the LGBT community. He or she could also be a Muslim or even an atheist. The changes in our nation are too radical for most in my age group. But the facts cannot be denied. For millennials, capitalism is the enemy. Nearly half of them would vote for a socialist. They are rejecting organized religion; atheism is growing. When they do choose to have a single faith, it is more likely to be the religion of Islam than Christianity.
We know that the Republican Party will self-destruct after the election. They are too far out of touch with the majority to keep it in place in its current form. They have united to denounce the LBGT Community; they are misogynistic, support the right of white Americans over minorities, continue to believe that Christians are the only religion, and that Christianity should be our national religion. All of these beliefs are unsupported by younger voters and the Constitution.
Donald Trump will fade away into obscurity. His tactics of attracting supporters through fear, anger, and hatred will no longer be accepted by the majority of Americans.
Women are voting in numbers like never before. Until 2008, single women were one of the most difficult groups to influence in an election year. All of that has changed and much more. Women are choosing careers before marriage and family. Many women in their late 20’s and early 30’s are returning home to finish their education, and secure their financial future. Today, larger numbers of women are attending college than men. The men and women who will control the future of our nation have reached a new level of importance in their lives.
Baby boomers had a ‘good ride;’ but it’s over. They must accept change or realize they are forgotten. Republicans have failed to accept the truth. They have lost elections because they refuse to acknowledge the rights of all Americans. They have clung to their base and ignored minorities, women, and dedicated themselves to a single religion.
I believe this article is good news. A new generation of Americans who believe in liberty and justice for all, denounce capitalism and support the majority, and refuse to believe in the right of a man standing behind a pulpit to control their lives will have the opportunity to move America forward. They are neither ‘liberals’ or ‘conservatives,’ they believe that living for today, and planning for the future will offer them a better quality of life.
Better times for our nation are coming. Please re-post and spread the good news. Thank you.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of summonedbyfells
Follow me on twitter; @jamesturnagenov
The Truth With No Restrictions 