LETTER: "What happened to the boomers"

The following are excepts paraphrased from a letter published in the Arizona Republic titled "What happened to the boomers?"

As a liberal and educated 20-something, I often wonder what happened to the boomers of my parent's generation... I have met so few boomers that have held fast to the values of peace, love and harmony...

I see a generation that has sold its soul to corporations (only to have pensions later cut), lent itself to a new form of religious extremism, elected a slew of national leaders who care little for the middle class, and engaged in a war that most of my peers want nothing to do with...

If John Lennon had lived, he'd be disappointed.
Signed WW

My answer: As that old saying goes, "Show me a young Conservative, and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal, and I'll show you someone with no brains."

The letter tells us a lot about the writer. He is a Democrat closer to 20 than 30, perhaps a student, or teacher, or government worker or an attorney. And he's opining from a false premise. The image of the "boomer" as seen on the TV screens of the 60s was the product of the media -- only a small percentage of our generation walked the streets of Haight-Ashbury, danced naked at Wood Stock and stuck flowers in rifle barrels.

He's right- Lennon would be disppointed - but VERY RICH.