The Hoover Institution (Stanford University), which is intellectually honest and conservative, just released its August polling that depicts America at an angry crossroads. Democrats were a tad happier in 2016, Republicans in 2020. But anger invited pink pussy hats and race riots, as well as “lock her up” chants and raid on the Capitol. Hoover explains the anger, including many wow! revelations from my own generation, which is where the discussion begins. Big reveal: 80% of Baby Boomers are registered to vote!
ANGER AND LOSS OF CONTROL – Something in the news angers 66% of the over-65 crowd daily, compared to 40% of millennials. In August, half the baby boomers said they “get angry more often than a few years ago,” maybe because 66% felt the US was “off on the wrong track” and 75% felt “things in America were out of control.” Conservative to moderate Boomers were angered by the resistance. Big reveal: the protests (Kavanaugh) and riots (Black Lives Matter) will be remembered in 2022.
HOLD ONTO CAPITALISM – 53% of boomers said capitalism is better than socialism and a plurality (44%) said Democrats are socialists. In comparison, only 23% of millennials think Dems are socialists. I wasn’t surprised by the pro-capitalist lean, but I was shocked to learn only 22% of boomers felt “their personal financial situation had gotten better over the last five years” and only 29% believed the economy was getting better. Big reveal: boomers longingly recall the Reagan and Clinton economies, and are primed for a real economic leader.
POPULISM ON THE RISE – Baby boomers had a high percentage (59%) say the US economy favors the wealthy, and a big majority (83%) said special interest groups wield too much influence in Washington. In fact, 86% said special-interest campaign contributions buy influence, and 75% claim the government is run by a few big interests. It’s no surprise 63% of boomers want campaign-finance reform, 76% want congressional term limits, and 52% opposed Trump’s first impeachment. Big reveal: the new “L” word is “E” as in Elite (not a good look in 2022).
CULTURALLY CONSERVATIVE – Baby boomers are less woke and more tolerant. 63% said the Confederate flag was a symbol of Southern pride – not racism – and oppose removing statues of Confederate generals. Yet, a plurality said immigration helps the US, and half agreed that illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship. A whopping 78% said statues of slave-holding presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Jackson should be preserved, but 59% are pro-choice with some conditions.
54% want the southern wall built, and 63% support a ban on assault weapons. 47% favor legalizing marijuana and 41% oppose affirmative action. Most boomers (71%) think schools should fire under-performing teachers, and 53% support some gun control. 58% support the death penalty, and 50% said Americans have the right to say anything – even racist or sexist remarks. Big reveal: the over-65 crowd has one foot in the sixties and one arm in a MAGA T-shirt.
ENLIGHTENED ANGLO-AMERICANISM – Much has been written to lay a guilt trip on the selfish Me Generation. BS, when baby boomers took America higher and farther than the Greatest Generation. They are arguably the culmination of Enlightened Liberalism, their open minds giving traction to anti-war, civil rights, and feminist ideals. So, how is it now that only 19% of boomers say they are liberal, while 34% are moderate, and 39% say they’re conservative?
Because after the 60s, Enlightenmant Liberalism slowly died, leaving the US with un-cool Leftists. Jack Kennedy was cool. Joe Biden is a tool. Angela Davis was hot. Stacey Abrams eats a lot. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez spoke politics from the heart. Bruce Springsteen and Bette Midler speak political brain farts. Dick Cavett cut to the heart of an issue. Stephen Colbert can hardly cut to a commercial. There are now mostly so-called liberals, who monetize issues rather than solve them.
Big reveal: boomers see through the Clinton-Obama charade. Pro-choice is a business. Green energy is a growth industry. Universities are indoctrination farms. Public employee unions are profitable wards of the state. Free speech isn’t profitable. No wonder only 21% of boomers think being “politically correct” is a good thing and 55% say “a big problem America has is being politically correct.” They are a movement waiting for a leader to make America great again without the tweets.