So Why Us?

by Morris Heldt

September 30, 2003

Are you a member of the "baby boomer" generation?  Have you found yourself walking around asking yourself these questions:  Where did the good feelings go for doing the right thing?  Why do the younger generations feel we lack scope?  Why do a good number of us baby boomers know the meaning of the word integrity, but over the years lost the ability to confront and demand with integrity?  Simply because some of us may not know how to cut and paste, or surf the Internet with lightning speed, does not mean we are obsolete.  After all, technology is merely a tool to be used, not a form to judge.  

I suggest along the way of maturing on our road to "senior citizen" we have allowed ourselves to be gutted like a fish.  What was once the most vocal, smartest, enthusiastic generation since the beginning of this great nation has become prematurely passive on the way to retirement.  We have allowed our instincts to be manipulated and guided by glossed over promises made to us by camera friendly politicians.  A select few of us, in the name of money, allowed our entire generation to be sold.  Many male baby boomers now accept a six pack of beer, and ESPN, as a "feel good" for doing the right thing their entire life. Many female boomers just want harmony, and peace, and quickly choose to avert  their eyes from the reality of what our society has become. Neither realizes they have paid for these privileges with the self-respect and dignity of the following generations. 

Now I admit this nation is still the greatest.  And, just as a citizen in this country you surpass most people's standard of living in the world.  So what?  We deserve it.  We deserve the best because we have made it possible for most of the world to strive for the best themselves.  The generations before us, and ours, has spilled millions of gallons of Americans' blood so others could free themselves from oppression. So, as a baby boomer I will not accept the role of  bad guy on the world's march for parity among nations. 

This country, and our civilization as a whole, has allowed ourselves to be programmed with subliminal bombardments of changing the definitions of right and wrong, and what is acceptable and what is not.  Remember as a kid we would walk down a sidewalk and see a crack in the cement.  Step on a crack and break your momma's back. Then we would skip along, avoiding the cracks, on the way to where we were going.   Now, some of our leaders don't care if they crack the spine of all of us.  If they don't want to skip they simply make a deal.  

There once was a president that lied to the nation and tried to cover it up.  No spin-doctors could spin us away from demanding a rightful conclusion.  There once was a war that no longer was being fought for good triumphing over evil, but simply to placate politics.  We demanded, and we got, a conclusion.  Now, there is a breed of leaders that only listen to advisers with agendas, and selected polls.  I suggest if we do not take an interest and allow our voices to be heard, the home of the brave, and land of the free, will no longer be.

I believe the moral growth of this country relies on us.  We have let the generations behind us down by not demanding our leaders to respect us, the moral majority of the people. What happened to equality and moral growth by fairness through competition with dignity?   The fire that once was in the gut of  we baby boomers, that demanded such growth, better be stoked, or the flame of justice and decency will flicker out. 

 Common sense, accompanied by moments in time, are wonderful things . . . and isn't it time to start appreciating them again?  And, if you have to question this sentence, ask yourself what it means, you better find out where yours went.  I once wrote why I felt Steve McQueen was different, and became a movie star.  He had a common sense for survival at the right time.  Now, I want us to all have a little Steve McQueen in us. Regardless if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, get off your backside.  The clock is ticking, so take a few minutes and get involved.  Listen, think, and then Vote!  Time is the most precious thing in the universe, use it wisely and ensure a future for generations to come. 

So, why us? Because we deserve what we have. 

(c) 2003 by Mopam Publishing

Another Perspective     Aug. 7, 2003  by Morris Heldt 

Is Time A Measurement, Or Symbol?  6/2/03    by Morris Heldt   

It's a New Concert    by Morris Heldt

Hypocrites  8/16/02   by Morris Heldt 

When Is Why The Answer To Who, What, Where and When?  7-22-02 by Morris Heldt

The Ultimate Battle April 12, 2002  by Morris Heldt