I was reading a Salon article today in which they interviewed several experts on demographics and consumer trends to discuss why we now have an environment where it is possible for a Barack Obama to become president at this time in history. They discussed the shifts that have taken place in our country due to economic issues, and generational differences, among others.
Demographer Cheryl Russell had this to say about generational politics, "The times create a candidate. What we see playing out in the election today, it's really a long-simmering battle between the generations. It's the battle between the way things used to be and the way things will be."
She hit on something here that I find really interesting, "the way things will be." Regardless of who actually wins the presidential election, there is a trend in thinking in America. The country will become more progressive over time. This just happens; prejudices melt away, new ethnicities and social groups are embraced, all with the advent of time. In politics though, it's all about reaching a tipping point where the people embracing the future outnumber those holding on to the past, to win an election.
I am hopefully wondering if this means that an Obama win would put an end to some of the more heinous social wedge issues the Republicans have been faithfully trotting out election after election. I'd like to think this would prove that we as a country, have moved past those kind of divisive ideas and are looking to unite. Things like pushing for constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage need to be put out of their misery, or out of our misery as the case may be.
We are ready to come together in January and to me there is only one candidate that will bring the new generation's ideals to some sort of fruition. I am optimistic that we are standing on the brink of a new golden age for the United States, and I wait with baited breath to see if on November 4th, the majority is ready to move on.
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