The Late Society

I'm technically done. I have committed a full year of national service as a VISTA, during which I have built capacity for a small non-profit organization. I think I did make an impact (with some luck and very patient co-workers) since the number of full time staff tripled as a result of all the grant applications I prepared.

Okay, when I say tripled I mean going from 1 to 3, and not counting myself since I am a government sponsored volunteer and not on the company payroll. And I say "technically done" since they are trying to keep me on for a few more weeks.

Before I leave for real I need to give a comprehensive, staff-wide training on how to use our website, our CRM, and how to train our next VISTA (coming in April). I am relieved that I will not have to train the new VISTA, since I would probably end up scaring her(probably a her, since I was the first male VISTA for my organization).

I scare Californians. It's actually kind of fun. Firstly, I talk clearly but fast. This scares Californians because their brains operate slower than others, and talking to them quickly or even at a normal pace reminds them of that proven, biological fact. Secondly, I do not smile constantly. In the minds of Californians that makes me an axe murderer.

But most importantly, I am a young American that does not automatically honor my elders. Considering the popular concerns these past few months (or even years) I have concluded that I do not owe the baby boomers anything grand. Since a majority of Californians are pushing 60 if not there already, this makes my lack of honoring very frightening.

This feeling goes beyond California as well.

Back in 1964, during a speech to students at the University of Michigan, President Johnson dubbed members of my parents' generation as part of a Great Society. Providence selected these young people to carry on the late president Kennedy's vision for the country and the world. The Great Society would fight poverty, and take advantage of the abundance of Post-War America for the purposes of doing good. By 1964 the Peace Corps was initiating their first round of graduates and in the following year, Johnson would send the first VISTAs into impoverished communities throughout the country to work with organizations committed to getting low/no-income citizens on their feet. The Civil Rights Act and the Poverty Programs (VISTA etc.) were the first big steps towards what we considered a more perfect union.

Then 4 years later, under the influence of War, Anti-War, and vapid, ideological excuses for getting laid and toasted, the Great Society quit their jobs for an indulgent severance package consisting of temporary releases for everyone's taste. Sex, Drugs, Rock music, Mega-Religion, Private Schools, and Driveways.

And now, after 40 years of feeding themselves and their children from this gift basket they're finally beginning to feel guilty.

Good. Fuck 'em.

I'm happy they're feeling guilty. It was guilt that recently elected the kind of president we were supposed to have 40 years ago.

The boomers were supposed to be the Great Society, and they turned into the Late Society. The baby boomers (and a good number of their descendants) have been late for everything. Late for their commitments; late for their children's welfare; late on their credit payments. The only thing they (especially Californians) are not late for is a good time. Their priorities over the last 40 years are now naked while my generation struggles to work 60-80 hours a week for less money with no secure retirement for ourselves. And all they do is smile constantly and want to be our friends.

Well, I guess a Late Society is better than no society. I am tired of feeling angry. I am thankful that the Late Society turned in their gift baskets, but they only did that because they all ran dry.

So my message is this: Thanks, but I still don't owe you anything.

Valete