The Seattle Times reports Michael Dudley is the son of a preacher man. He's a born-again Christian with several family members in the military. He's voting for Obama. Many traditional younger GOP evangelicals are no longer identifying with the Republican party.
The so-called millennial generation, roughly late teens to early 30s are part of the so-called millennial generation. Bob Herbert writes in the New York Times that this is the generation that's in danger of being left out of the "American Dream." This generation is faced with doing less well than their parents and that economic uncertainty is playing a huge role in forming their views of government and politics.
In 1974 the average income for men in their 30s was $40,000 (using today's inflation-adjusted dollars) - today that amount is $35,000.
According to The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe first published in 1997.
"The next Fourth Turning is due to begin shortly after the new millennium. Around the year 2005, a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. Remnants of the old social order will disintegrate. Political and economic trust will implode. Real hardship will beset the land, with severe distress that could involve questions of class, race, nation, and empire. Yet this time of trouble will bring seeds of social rebirth. Americans will share a regret about recent mistakes -- and a resolute new consensus about what to do. The very survival of the nation will feel at stake. Sometime before the year 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history, commensurate with the American Revolution, Civil War, and twin emergencies of the Great Depression and World War II.
"The risk of catastrophe will be very high. The nation could erupt into insurrection or civil violence, crack up geographically, or succumb to authoritarian rule. If there is a war, it is likely to be one of maximum risk and efforts -- in other words, a total war.
Roughly 80 years ago was the Great Depression and World War II. Roughly 80 years before that was the Civil War. Roughly 80 years before that, the Revolutionary War. Roughly 80 years before that, Glorious Revolution of 1675-1704. Roughly 80 years before that, the Armada Crisis of 1569-1594. And roughly 80 years before that the War of the Roses (1459-1487)."
In each 80 year period, there are four turnings, produced by each of the four generations. The Fourth Turning is the one of greatest danger, maximum impact upon the world. And it’s due to happen any day now -- if it’s not already underway.
From: www.fourthturning.com:
Strauss and Howe base this vision on a provocative theory of American history as a series of recurring 80- to 100-year cycles. Each cycle has four "turnings"-a High, an Awakening, an Unraveling, and a Crisis. The authors locate today's America as midway through an Unraveling, roughly a decade away from the next Crisis (or Fourth Turning). And they recommend ways Americans can prepare for what's ahead, as a nation and as individuals.
Are we entering Fourth Turning now? Depression, war, chaos and transformation...
"There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."
--Franklin D. Roosevelt
Does this so-called millennial generation have a rendezvous with destiny?
