Coming of Age

By Al Horn

Two articles caught my attention this past week. They concerned age and its mental and financial view at both ends of the spectrum. As usual, the young seem to think they have all the answers but not the money to make things happen while the elders have the wisdom and money but not the energy. As an in-betweener, I think their both wrong. At the same time, both groups could teach me a thing or two.

The first article I read was by a woman sports writer turned columnist. She has a habit of using some everyday truth to slap us in the face. Some people are offended by her approach while others tend to reflect on what was said. This columnist wrote about the shrinking portion of voters under the age of thirty. The number of people alive is not shrinking but the number who exercise their right to vote is. The article stated that just over twenty percent of women in that age group is expected to vote this fall. Less than thirty percent of the men will vote. For a group that believes they have all the answers they sure aren't trying to get their message out.

A former national news journalist currently working in the public broadcasting system wrote the other article. She was dismayed at the way the NPR turned out one of its long time, popular personality host. Part of a 'natural evolution' she was told. She made suggestions of showing the corporation of how older audiences still held some sway by using some subtle means of boycotting when the corporation called for funding from the supporters with the most money. Why be subtle about it? Pick up the glove and smack the young whippersnappers across the cheeks. Odds are, the oldsters are in better shape than the youngsters. Some of the most energetic people I have ever met were in their fifties and sixties.

The question now is do we remain a polarized society? If the young would go to the polls in large enough numbers, they could shape the future of our society; if for no other reason than to protect their own interest. As the boomers complete their retirements as a group, who do you think will be paying for their well being? Some of it will come from pensions and 401-K's. The rest will come from a Social Security system that will require large infusions from the earnings of the young.  Without exercising their power of vote now they will create a huge backlash in trying to use it later to remedy the situation.

The way things are going; a judgment of sorts will be coming in the not too distant future. Both ends of this conflict can rail about how the other end is working against their wants and needs, or, they can open some meaningful dialog. The young need to learn the wisdom of using the power they now wield while the elders need to muster the energy to guide them along a path that will benefit both groups for the future.