I had to laugh. The editorial headline in the Mercury News trumpeted, “It’s time for disastrous Baby Boomers to go.” (click here to read it)
The author, GenXer Dana Milbank, went on to blame the 50-64 age group for pretty much everything wrong with America: congressional gridlock, squandering the global power and influence inherited from winning the Cold War by embarking on two Middle East military adventures-turned-disasters, crippling debt, and even . . . Donald Trump.Milbank derided the older generation for its selfishness and unyielding attitudes, the fruits of being coddled in their youth.
Like I said, I had to laugh. Not with the glee of someone who gets a hilarious joke, but with the bittersweet realization that, (1), Milbank has some solid reasons to declare such conclusions and (2), and that I’ve heard it all before.
Literally. I listened to the same message in 1969, putting a 33 1/3 rpm LP vinyl record on my “portable” (75-pound, suitcase size) stereo and dropping the needle into the first groove. The song was “Move Over.” (click here if you want to listen to it)
"Things look bad from over here
Too much confusion and no solution
Everyone here knows your fear
You're out of touch and you try too much
Yesterday's glory won't help us today
You want to retire?
Get out of the way
The country needs a father
Not an uncle or big brother
Someone to keep the peace at home
If we can't get it together
Look out for stormy weather
Don't make me pay for your mistakes
I have to pay for my own
Yesterday's glory won't help us today
You want to retire?
Get out of the way
I ain't got much time
The young ones close behind
I can't wait in line. . . "
Who knows? Maybe Gen X will do better.
Or, at least maybe Linkin Park could do a cover of “Move Over.”
Wouldn’t need to change a word.
