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Download mIRC and install. (It installs
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Columns:
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Unleash the Apathy Annihilator
By willow
July 24, 2003
Will the Baby Boomer Generation be remembered for their apathy,
lack of action and escalating consumerism or their social consciousness
and commitment to positive change? Which presidential candidate
will inspire Boomer Consumer's enough to wake from their media-sedated
siesta and make it to the voting booth? The Baby Boomer generation
is estimated to be 78 million strong and, as one of the largest
and previously most politically active segments of society in American
history, this formerly radical constituency may soon be demanding
to be paid attention to. Although the Boomers were considered to
be politically dynamic and socially aware during their glory days,
there appears to be an attitude of apathy among those now entering
their Golden Years and contemplating retirement. What will it take
to get them to vote?
In the 1960's, this generation was committed to standing up for
what they believed in. Whether it was planning protests against
government policies that they felt were unfair, sitting in against
the Vietnam War, or standing up for Civil Rights, they demonstrated
with every fiber of their being that they wanted things to be different.
It was forecast that this generation would be more highly educated,
better informed, more active and more cynical than the previous
generations. This is the generation that has been strongly influenced
by progressive developments such as the Birth Control Pill becoming
available in the USA, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, desegregation,
the Women's Movement, new music from the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and
Joan Baez, and an increase in focus on the protection of the environment.
The successful contender nominated as the Democratic Party's nominee
for President will be the one who not only possesses clarity into
the needs of the swing voting blocks of the younger generations,
soccer moms and the moderately religious but subtly combines all
of these with the needs of the Baby Boomer generation and does it
in the least boring way.
Baby boomers are "an individualistic generation, with a focus
on self and a tendency to reject authority" (http://www.thestrategicedge.com/Articles/babyboom.htm
). The Baby Boomers at the top of the age spectrum pursue a variety
of optimistic and self fulfilling interests: some want to continue
working, many will be enjoying more frequent travel and recreation
experiences, and great numbers of them are looking forward to having
more leisure time available to pursue their interests. However,
many are entering this age with underlying trepidation and uncertainty.
Retirement and health related matters such as an unreliable Social
Security program and the failing of the Medicare prescription drug
program initiatives weigh heavily on their minds. A disproportionate
number of females are in the lowest income group of the baby boomers
and are concerned with preparing for an independently financed retirement.
As the age for earning Social Security Benefits continues to rise,
many baby boomers are still working to support themselves (and sometimes
their own parents) and face an uncertain financial future. The current
meager economy does not supply adequate job opportunities for the
current number of employable Americans who are at opposite ends
of the age spectrum: Baby Boomers, who still need to work, and the
new generation of youth, who are now entering the workplace. Other
critical issues facing these retiring Americans is the expanded
demand for senior housing and the forecast of an increased load
on the Healthcare and Social Security systems due to biomedical
advances increasing life expectancy. The successful candidate will
target their agenda on Healthcare needs and prevention of issues
that affect older Americans, which will enable this generation to
boast healthier lives and enable a moderate impact on the healthcare
system.
Positive, consistent leadership is critical to the repair of the
American economy. The next leader of the United States of America
will be one who is committed to encouraging a secure and healthy
nation, promotes job creation and confidently communicates the factors
that will positively impact the financial solvency of Americans.
A President who preemptively and continuously bemoans the threat
of terrorism and the failing economy demoralizes the constituents
and creates a self-fulfilling prophecy exacerbating the issues of
job loss, insecurity and economic instability.
Presenting a political candidate to the Baby Boomers is identical
to selling a consumer product. Boomer Consumers want to know "what's
in it for me?" The strategy for motivating this group can be
simplified into basic language: Listen to their wants and needs,
deliver on promises made, and respect and understand the essential
issues facing the various subgroups in the segment. To avoid the
mistakes of previous political campaigns steer clear of condescension,
inform and educate the voters on the track record and facts about
the candidate, and provide information and support on issues that
are critically important to this generation. Being aware of the
cynicism of boomers is key to maintaining credibility and solidifying
their trust in the candidate's integrity. With this in mind enlist
the support of a credible spokesperson, understand that this audience
is incredibly media savvy, skeptical of agendas, and bureaucracy
and loathes hypocrisy and irresponsible government. This unique
generation appreciates choice, flexibility and recognition, enjoys
expanding their influence and participation and firmly believes
that achievement requires sacrifice and paying ones dues. They sustain
a belief that they possess the drive and ability to make their mark
on humanity and strive to obtain personal immortality through means
other than cryonics.
Oppressive government policies fostered the social environment
that existed in the 1960's and motivated the Baby Boomers to take
extreme measures to bring attention to their causes. The current
self-serving Presidential administration has, through its marginally
pathetic actions, shown itself to be a power hungry entity and shows
promise of recreating another frustratingly oppressive political
and economic environment in America today. Recently, dissidents
exercised their Constitutional Right and voiced disagreement with
the elitist institution whose greed for oil outweighs logic and
human reason. Our freedom of speech is in jeopardy when the pundits
of the Administration declare those who voiced their opposition
to the American Aggression in Iraq as Anti-American or supportive
of terrorist actions.
Will the radical history of the Boomers inspired social revolution
end in a return to a mediocre, diminished society or will efforts
continue to fight for freedom, independence, equality, and choice?
The answer will be found through those who spark the debate, promote
progressive reform and question the irresponsible, divisive and
exploitative actions of the government. There is an entire generation
of Americans on the cusp of retirement who will have more leisure
time on their hands than they ever have. These media-sedated activists
must be awakened and compelled to pursue their dreams of idealism
and preserve the freedom that they fought so hard for. Now is the
time for this generation to re-ignite their passion and commitment
to positive change and take grassroots action to make things different.
What can you do to annihilate the apathy?
Pass it on.
Sources:
http://research.aarp.org/econ/boomer_seg_2.html
http://www.thestrategicedge.com/Articles/babyboom.htm
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/Agingint/proj2030/addpubs/BBMrkt.htm
http://www.cns.gov/news/ll060702.html
Willow
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Articles
of Interest
Bush and the Assassination
of JFK by Paul Kangas
ANNALS
OF DEMOCRACY : COUNTING VOTES by Ronnie Dugger (Nov
7, 1988)
Computerized
Systems for Voting Seen as Vulnerable to Tampering by David
Burnham,
The New York Times (July
29, 1985) plus emphasis, links and comments
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Souces:Artist: Kumi Tanioka
Album: Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack (CD
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Track :The Awakening
Vocals: George W. Bush
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(May 19, 2003)
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Arachne & TaoUrso
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Ozzy Osbourne - American Idol (Nov 26, 2002)
Thomas Jefferson
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Some Thoughts on American
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Some Thoughts on Addiction (Oct 28, 2002)
What Color is the
Sky? (Oct 25, 2002)
The End is Near - And Other
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Hoopie
News_Asylum
(Sept 15, 2002)
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ItsMarty
Virtue
is not chosen, the chosen becomes virtuous
(October 14, 2003) Conspiracy
Theory This!(November 18, 2003)
Black & White (November
21, 2003)
From Cordoba to Jerusalem
(November 25, 2003)
Free Speech and Intolerance
(January 20, 2004)
State
of the Old Union seen from the New Union (Febuary 2,
2004) |
KG4ZMP
Lunar Cheese And Federal Pork (January
20, 2004)
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Lester
Michaels
Morality
& Ethics: A case study of the Carlyle Group |
Marij
Bush's
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Samurai_Liberal
Election
2000-Highway Robbery and a Supreme Court Disgrace-
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1 (May
23, 2003)
Part 2 (May
29, 2003)
Part 3 (June 12,
2003)
Part 4 (July 8,
2003)
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TaleWgnDg
Bush
Is Packing The Federal Courts: What Can I Do? (June
28, 2003)
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Thargor
The
Rantings of an Angry, Fed Up Conservative
BUSH
BASHING DONE WITH LACK OF EVIDENCE OR CONCERN FOR ACCURACY
(July 1, 2003)
A
RECAP OF THE USSC'S 2002 TERM (July 5, 2003)
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Warpster
The
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