Life and Times of Babyboomers in America

Thomas Franks noted author and journalist was recently on the Charlie Rose Show for the Bloomberg Report. His most poignant comment referred to the Republican Political party's premise that all human solutions are found in the market place. As one who has been involved in grassroots organizing for the better part of 42 plus years and having served as a paid political grassroots organizer during that time as well. It became apparent that, was one of the Republicans strengths; convincing people that their money and independence were in essence the same thing. That government by definition was a necessary evil only to be tolerated.
Frank went on to support his case by quoting an obsure 1920 era Republican politician who made the statement to the effect that, the party did not want to hire competent people less the general public become to rely on and respect their government. Furthermore, it was in the interest of the Republicans to hire the most incompetent idividuals to to take care of the peoples business. A good example was in 2009 the farmer and peanut processor ( who distribted rat feces infested peanut butter which killed an American or two. This same person sat on the Peanut Board that set the standards for peanut product safety ( he was appointed to the board during the Republican Bush administration). --Coincidence? I will let you be the judge.
The general definition of government is a body of administrators and elected officials to operate a system in the interest of its citizens. The manipulation of playing the American ideal of self reliance and independence to maximize political influence only benefits a chosen few. Democrats as well are not removed from abuse of power as depicted by such scandals that involve such luminaries as John Edwards former Vice Presidential candidate. However one fundamental operation remains: just like we voted them in, we can vote them out.
As baby boomers mature into retirement age. We have several incumbent responsibilties, face it, that we are generation strongly influenced by racist views of our parents, be we black, white , brown or yellow. Admit that we are holding on to habits that are counter productive to the American Dream i.e. relinguishing our civil liberties in a trade for a sense of security was the same practice exposed by Edward R. Murrow regarding Joe McCarthy. Even though w were the generation whose rallying cry was "Make love not War". We have to come to terms that America is America is an Empire. The lone super power in military terms. And as such must protect not only its interest around the world, but by doing so, the American people and our way of life.
( which I might add is the envy of the world even in Theocratic Muslims States).
Baby boomers, we have done America proud we fought campaigns for Civil Rights; a model of which is used around the this day. We followed the edict of the preamble to the constitution of challenging the status quo so that a broader range of our brethren may prosper. -BUT - We are not there yet --The American Dream. We have not arrive at the vision so well articulated in our founding documents. So like animated and restless children on a long car trip to grandma's house, whose recurrent refrain is "We there yet". Our 48-year-old President is calmly saying "No, We have promises to keep and many miles to go before we sleep". In closing reminiscent of the Ol' School era, I leave you with the phrase: "Love, Peace and Happiness. And have a Good Day."
D Bell