Most Americans see the meteoric rise of Barack Obama as an indication that “change” sells. Change? Collective amnesia and historical illiteracy is more like it.

How is it possible that so many people have forgotten my generation of Baby Boomers, the social “revolutionaries” of the ’60s who worshipped at the altar of Woodstock? How is it they don’t recall OUR principle mission? Forty years ago, WE were going to change the world for the better.

How’d we do? Depends who you ask. But it’s no secret that most Americans believe the country has been “headed in the wrong direction for years.” Assuming they’re right, that means “change” simply for change’s sake isn’t necessarily a good thing. In other words, specifics matter. And no one has been less specific about what kind of change he envisions than Mr. Obama himself.

Furthermore, before America can head in the right direction, one has to determine what the wrong the direction has been. Some questions:

–Have Americans become more or less respectful of our laws, culture and traditions?
–Has pop culture, sexuality, language and customs become more elevated or cruder and coarser?
–Has morality become more clearly defined or more obscure?
–Has personal responsibility for one’s actions become more or less important?
–Have we become more or less selfish and self-absorbed?

And last, but certainly not least, has America become more liberal or more conservative?

One good thing that emerges with age is knowing that, as the song goes, “everything old is new again.” If you can answer the above questions honestly, you might come to the conclusion that my generation didn’t do such a good job with our principle mission in life. And you can also bet the farm the Mr. Obama is selling the same old tired liberalism/socialism that Boomers were absolutely positive would lead to Utopia.

It didn’t–and after forty years you think we’d learn. But that would require historical knowledge. Old liberals embrace collective amnesia. Young liberals embrace historical illiteracy. Both groups embrace Barack Obama–the newest “rock star” on the scene.

Here’s hoping most Americans will think twice before making a “rock star” Commander-in-Chief.

atahlert@comcast.net

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