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With all the ugly conversations about race and sexism around here, it's probably not surprising that ageism has reared its ugly head. I find it disappointing that some Clinton supporters continually imply that a good number of Obama supporters are young, and therefore foolish. Of course, because posters are using the broad brush that seems to be the writing implement of choice on this forum, a "good number" is portrayed as "all." As in, all Obama supporters are young and foolish.
Such a statement implies a couple of things. The writers of such posts seem to think that if one is old, one necessarily has wisdom. I will agree that many older people, and many of the older people on this forum are indeed wise. But one thing needs to be said. Being old does not automatically make one wise, and it is not the cause of wisdom. Experience is the one necessary factor, but it, too, is not enough. It's reflection that is the vital part. And interestingly, even young people are capable of that.
There is a saying about teachers: that one can teach for thirty years, or that one can teach the first year thirty times. There are many, many veteran teachers who continue to grow and expand their skills over time. (My son is the lucky student of one.) Sadly, there are also those who rarely reflect or learn from their experiences. Their classrooms are time warps. They may have adopted newer technologies than the mimeograph sheets some of us remember from our youth (often because the school has gotten rid of those stinky machines), but their techniques and often even the content they teach is the same as when they started. Worse still, they haven't learned anything about how kids think and learn.
Obviously, despite their age and experience, those teachers have not acquired wisdom, and it is very possible that the 24-year-old across the hall has more wisdom, despite her young age.
When I read some of the posts about young Obama voters I think about these teachers. I'm only 42, and I will readily admit to still being a fool about some things. But despite my young age (and only in this forum would I call myself young), my political opinions have shifted over time, due to both experience and reflection.
I remember being outraged when Reagan and then Bush the Senior were elected, and I remember wishing fervently than someone in our party would play by at least some of their rules. I was thrilled when Clinton came around, because he really seemed to understand how to win, and he was willing to do whatever it took.
But eight years of Clinton revealed a dark side. Doing whatever it took to win meant an overreliance on polls and left an impression (accurate, I think) that there was nothing at the core. Positions shifted without warning, and things I thought a democrat would hold dear (like an opposition to "free" trade) weren't held onto at all.
That is why Hillary's candidacy rings false to me. It's too much out of the old play book, and it leads me to conclude she is as empty on the inside as Bill. Barack, on the other hand, seems to have a core. There are certainly some positions I disagree with, but at least he has beliefs.
Maybe the conclusions I've drawn are not wise, but they are based on reflection on my experience. I posit that a good many of the younger voters out there are basing their decisions on reflection as well. Don't forget-- they, too have lived through almost eight years of the worst presidency ever. It's completely reasonable that they would shy away from a candidate that offers more of the same.
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