It's not politics as usual
An interesting thing happened today. The Kennedy family endorsed Barack Obama for President... not Hillary Clinton. The apparent rationale for this is that it's time to pass the baton to someone new and "young." Now, I'm not taking a position on this politically. My politics are private. However, the point is... if Obama wins this election .. it will be the first time a President has been younger than me. Well, actually that's not true ... both Clinton and Bush were born in 1946, a couple of months behind me. But, Obama will be younger than almost all the boomers.
I'm an advocate for aging with grace and for people NOT to experience discrimination because of age; however, all around us, we see favoritism cropping up for those younger. Are we being pushed out? Is young the new way? I bet our parents said that too. I bet we also thought that at 62 our parents were old.
I don't know, I just feel funny. I think we should look at the candidates for what they stand for, what experience they bring and leave age out of it. Look at John McCain. He's quite a bit older. How will the election fair if it's Obama vs. McCain?
The polls are indicating that Obama is appealing to the younger generation and that he's getting out the vote. They're inspired by his youth. Is that what it takes? Who knows.
I also realize that we still have a lot of primaries still to go. Both parties are neck in neck now. I suppose it could all turn around. And, I also believe that the media can skew the process by they way they cover the stories, how they speak. For example, are there certain candidates on both sides that the media just isn't paying attention to? By ignoring them, are they tossing them aside and only keeping the others in the forefront? Can it all be manipulated that easily?
Point: Are elections manipulated by the press so as to throw votes behind a favorite? Can the hype then influence us as to who to vote for? Is age truly a big factor?
I don't know what to make of it all... except to raise the issue. I'd love your comments.
Ann
Ann
I'm an advocate for aging with grace and for people NOT to experience discrimination because of age; however, all around us, we see favoritism cropping up for those younger. Are we being pushed out? Is young the new way? I bet our parents said that too. I bet we also thought that at 62 our parents were old.
I don't know, I just feel funny. I think we should look at the candidates for what they stand for, what experience they bring and leave age out of it. Look at John McCain. He's quite a bit older. How will the election fair if it's Obama vs. McCain?
The polls are indicating that Obama is appealing to the younger generation and that he's getting out the vote. They're inspired by his youth. Is that what it takes? Who knows.
I also realize that we still have a lot of primaries still to go. Both parties are neck in neck now. I suppose it could all turn around. And, I also believe that the media can skew the process by they way they cover the stories, how they speak. For example, are there certain candidates on both sides that the media just isn't paying attention to? By ignoring them, are they tossing them aside and only keeping the others in the forefront? Can it all be manipulated that easily?
Point: Are elections manipulated by the press so as to throw votes behind a favorite? Can the hype then influence us as to who to vote for? Is age truly a big factor?
I don't know what to make of it all... except to raise the issue. I'd love your comments.
Ann
Ann
posted by Ann Fry, Head Boomer at
12:20 AM
1 Comments:
Anything connected to the media is all about image over substance. Presidential elections in and of themselves are all about image. Otherwise there would be no need for "Spin Doctors" or "political consultants". While I agree a candidate should be elected based on their stance on issues, that information has to be obtained by each and everyone of us; we certainly cannot turn to tv, radio, or newspapers for substantive data. They have their own agenda - selling ad time by presenting the most appealing image.
You made another great point that I feel has been lost over the years...your politics are private. I wish everyone felt that way...less polls, less propaganda. Applause, applause.
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