The Silver lining

And right out of the gate comes one without hard data or links. Sorry.
This is based on purely anecdotal evidence, but its more about why I feel inspired for our future, rather than a response to any current issues.

As much as I hate to say it, I think obama actually might have been good for our country these last 6 years. I try hard to ignore what people say, biting my lip to avoid foolish reactionism, and watch what they do, to understand them. (I dont always succeed, but I try) And I generally like what Ive seen, even if I dont like the motivators.

GenX, Y and Millenials have largely moved away from materialism and consumerism, it seems. Then again, it makes sense; you cant rush out to buy the latest stuff, just to own stuff, if you have no money. And its hard to have any money when most have spent the better part of a decade un- or under-employed. Gardening, homesteading, and "artisan" crafts (woodworking, metalwork, pottery, canning, etc) are on the rise, as people decide to make what they cant afford to buy, and are amazed at how over-priced (and unhealthy) so many  things are. Recycling isnt a fashion anymore, but an actual consideration in purchases, where people judge if its worth the cost of repairing, recycling and/or reusing. Plastic is slowly being replaced by metal, glass, and cardboard when available, because they are safer in reuse and cheaper to recycle. 

On the one side, you could say the hippies won, as we're moving to the drug-hazed dream of a "greener" lifestyle that they had. On the other, its clear they lost, as expenses, profits, practicality, and standard-of-life are the major deciders of what goes green and what doesnt, rather than the New Age stuff their delusional psyches hoped would rule. The homesteader, prepper, and survivalist movements (really all variants of the same critter, really) are growing because they have to. We have to re-learn to live like grandma and grandpa, re-using everything we can, because we sure as hell cant afford to live like mom and dad, treating the entire world as disposable, and we probably never will again. And thats not entirely a bad thing. Unless you're talking about diapers. :D

Im also seeing these age groups voting with their feet for churches. The giant mega churches of the prior decades are suffering. Those that want to “new age” The Word and try to be multi-media stage events seem to fail far more often that the simple country churches, where its “God and Bible and you and thats it”. The younger generation doesnt seem to want "Rock & Roll Jesus" or "Buddy Christ", (and you win an internet cookie if you know that reference) but rather seeks a close personal relationship. Its natural for man to turn to God when times get hard. Even the great atheist philosophers admitted that, though they saw it as reason to mourn for humanity. But what gets me is that I see young men digging deep into the Bible, or other holy books by choice, attacking it (them) with the same intellect and questioning attitude applied to science, engineering, philosophy, and everything else we study today, so that what truths they find, they know to be truths. When they come to accept these truths, by their own choice, instead of "because mom said so", or “my family always has”, or “thats what the preacher-man said”, it is with a deeper level of faith and commitment. They find their own truth, and their own application, making it relevant by themselves, and for themselves.

And the more I talk to other “arm-chair theologians”, friends more interested in understanding “God”, both mine and yours, and the drive of the human soul to fill this special void, and even the few atheists that are willing to acknowledge the philosophical need of most humans, rather than just mock; we see this in other religions as well. Islam is suffering a painful period of introspection; as extremist fundamentalists try to hold to the ancient bloody teachings of the First Millennium, willing to kill even their own who seek tolerance and moderation, the “average” Muslim simply tries to reconcile ancient teachings to modern life, much as modern Christians and Jews do. “Liberal” Muslims (perhaps too strong a term, but it will suffice for the moment) read deep into the Koran and its supporting holy books, studying to see if some of the teachings are “too out-dated”, much the same way modern Jews and Christians found some of the commandments of Leviticus to be …. unimportant if not impossible to follow in today's society. (like that whole “not wearing fabrics of mixed fibers”. Good luck finding something that isnt a mix of natural and man-made fabric today) My Sihk friend says he sees more youths getting involved at the temple; Buddhists I correspond with say there is not much increase in foot-traffic, (admittedly, their temple is off the beaten path) but interest and requests for knowledge and teaching has increased.

The polls show that conservatives are “losing”, that people are more tolerant of social immorality and the ideals of liberals. Instead, when we actually talk to these young people, we find a deep appreciation for personal freedom. Its not that these people accept and share these beliefs of liberals, the idea that you can choose to be a man or woman, that abortion is right, that gays should marry, that I should pay for all my neighbor's wants, and so on; but rather that they believe each person is accountable for his or her own life choices. They support the two greatest freedoms of America: the right to be left alone, and the right to be foolish without being punished for it.

That's not to say the whole nation is going for this trend. Its getting to be a clear separation. And these younger generations seem more dedicated to their convictions; no “lesser of two evils” anymore, but “right” or “wrong”. It is an age bracket that is learning it can survive far worse than anything our corrupt government, greedy unions, greedy corporations, and dedicated agitators can throw at us. That all the stories those who profit from discord use to accuse us of “oppressing” them, and “enslaving” them, and “killing” them, really arent bothering anyone, beyond noise and the chance for a silly law-suit to make some lawyer rich. And two clicks of the mouse takes us to world news, where we see people really being oppressed, enslaved, and killed, just to further drive home the ridiculousness of the rhetoric our media regularly uses.

I look at all this, and the compassion that even those with very little are trying to offer out to anyone they see with less, and I see a better America in spirit, even though it has less toys. I may not approve of obama's style or philosophy; that is my right as an American, and only the ignorant would assume that philosophical differences are explained by “bigotry”. But this has made America stronger in spirit, and many of her peoples are now more self-reliant. The end result may just have been worth the means to get here, and as Grandpa used to say, “your not supposed to enjoy the medicine. Just as long as it cures ya.”