A Response to Jason Patzfahl’s 'Dear Greatest Generation'

I have read and reread Jason Patzfahl’s blog post titled “Dear Greatest Generation” and I found his positions not only wrong, but painfully misleading and unrealistic. I can understand Jason’s passion and his dedication to get his candidates elected, but I don’t agree with his unrealistic approach.

Taking the “Greatest Generation” to task because of their political leanings is not only wrong but misdirected. As many know I am a “leading cohort boomer” and my life has been immersed in the world of the “Greatest Generation.” Just as you can’t place any one age cohort or generation to fit a stereotype, you can’t do it with the “Greatest Generation” either. This generation has always had a great diversity of political opinion and beliefs. Jason’s sampling would lead one to think that they are of a single mind and that in some way they are betraying the following generations. Jason is making an error with his supposition and is coming off as sounding like the younger sibling that feels cheated by an older sibling. This approach not only doesn’t move forward the positions of the political left, but it alienates and will force many undecided to the right because of his “spoiled child” argument.

I also think that Jason is attributing too much power to the “Greatest Generation.” Just by sheer numbers alone, their generational power and ability to influence the outcome of elections has eroded. As of 2010, those who were demographically listed as members of the “Greatest Generation” comprised only 5.5 million. Even if they voted as a block one way or another, it wouldn’t be enough to significantly influence the election.  

Jason should be much more concerned with getting Millennials or Gen-Yers out to vote. They have the numbers and it’s their future that is being considered now. Rather than looking to the past, we all need to be looking to the future and the changes that are necessary to move our society forward while maintaining social justice for all.