I came across some interesting statistics today. Recent polling shows that the by age bracket, 18-29 year olds have the highest level of support for the war in Iraq and for President Bush. Surprisingly, 48% of people polled in this age bracket think that taking militart action in Iraq was the right thing to do. This number is shocking for several reasons. First, after all that has happened since the war began (supposedly no wmd, a struggle to pacify Iraq) 48% of young people still think it was a good idea that the United States took military action. In addition, many in this age bracket spend their time on college campuses enduring an endless deluge of anti-war rhetoric.
What are the reasons for this relatively high level of support? A few possiblities. First, young Americans do not rely on network news, newspapers, and other traditional news sources. These establishment news sources not fans of this war. Secondly, younger Americans have a lot of life yet to live. Looking at facing another 50 years of life living with an radical Islamic threat, many young Americans may conclude that it is better to address this challenge head on today.
Sadly, the generations that are supposed to be wise are the generations that have the least support for the war in Iraq. Reasons? Left-over Vietnam paralysis may explain Boomers opposition. Even older Americans seem to become too safe. Let's not do anything that may jeopardize social security and medicare payments. They have lost the aggressive spirit that made America great.
Obviously more complex than this analysis, but maybe a starting point. Please join the discussion.
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2 comments:
As Homer Simpson once said (not a direct quote, but something similar) - "63% of statistics are incorrect, but only 41% of the American public know that."
Just be wary of statistics like this...
However, I think that this stat is pretty darn close to actuality. Too many baby boomers = too much liberalism. Remember, the people who are so Anti-Bush are the same people pushing Global Warming and higher taxes. I call them hippies...but they can also be defined as people who just love to worry too much.
Another factor to consider is that there has not been an American generation as narcissistic and self-absorbed as the Baby Boomers.
The generation in college and grad school right now may have returned to a more normal perspective on balancing priorities of self and community.
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