THE "ME FIRST" GENERATION: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

     Spawned from this group of people were the generations to follow and, in the true sense of American marketing and profiteering, titles were given to each.  My generation was tabbed The Baby Boomers since we were conceived after World War II in the midst of a burgeoning prosperity.  GenX and the Millenials, the Baby Boomers' progeny, are the incumbent rulers of the corporate and financial roost, and therefore the government as well.  There have also been other non-descript "Gens" littering the decades.

     Why was The Greatest Generation so many years ago?  Wouldn't it be logical to think that the following generation would be better?  Not so, in my estimation, and let's explore why.

     First, The Greatest Generation.  For the most part, these people would have been born during or just after World War I.  They had experienced war and then poverty during the Great Depression.  Another war, even bigger than the first, ensued.  Yet, a spirit of cooperation and unity aligned with the definition of "United States" prevailed.  Sacrifices were common.  Men were eager to serve their country, even those who might feel a sense of privilege in modern times.  Witness celebrities like Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, John Wayne, and Audie Murphy fulfilling their duty to their country.  I could add many more.  There was a spirit for the war effort back home.  with many activities that supported our troops.

     This was just the period involving World War II.  The Depression brought many to their knees, yet Americans suffered through the time and pulled themselves up by the bootstraps.  Family was the heart of existence and respect for parents and authority were the rule.  The United States had the good fortune of having one of its best Presidents in office,  Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Of course, one of the things that contributed to his legacy was the fact that the country pulled together to face its problems.  I'm sure there were squabbles in Congress, and not everyone idolized or even agreed with Roosevelt and his programs, but when it came down to the important, critical issues, everyone propelled the boat forward in the same direction, that being in the best interest of America.  Remember this as we explore the following generations.

     OK, now for The Baby Boomers.  I have the most familiarity with this group since I am one of them.  We were the first-born child and were doted on.  We grew up in a period of abundance and became spoiled.  Our parents wanted us to have more than they did and, despite income levels far below current day, kept food on the table.  We became spoiled, throwing tantrums when we didn't get our way, most notably as we grew older.  Riots to force our beliefs on others were common.  Protests came from both sides of the fence, usually lacking the insight that opposite outcomes of the same issue could never exist in practice.  Individuality was nurtured through self-expression and personal rights.  The sense of community began to disintegrate and self-gratification took its place.  The sense of purpose also gravitated toward self.  Family unity dissolved.  Mind-altering drugs became the sibling of alcohol as part of the age-old escape from reality.  We didn't want to confront reality and come up with solutions.  Even compromise seemed inadequate to control our tantrums.  Politicians, realizing the futility, started to board the self-interest bandwagon.  Young men spurned the military and debased the Viet Nam conflict and its veterans.  Despite all that we had and a supposed increase in the quality of life, we were never satisfied.  We wrapped this all up into a pretty package and gave it to our children.  When they took it out of the box, they exhibited our petulance and took self-interest to a whole new level.

     So now it's GenX, Gen Y, Millenials etc.  I have coined another moniker to describe these groups and it is titled the "Me First" generation.  This is where we are today.  One of the more gratifying aspects displayed by this group is a return to respect for the military and the sacrifices those in uniform make for their country and its citizens.  This appears to be a reversal from scorning the military displayed by Baby Boomers, and this cancer hopefully is in remission.

     Enough plaudits because there is a disgusting underbelly infesting "Me First."  I don't know where to start since there are so many deficiencies inherent in this generation.  The obvious is pre-occupation with self.  Ego is king,  Alpha personalities are applauded instead of scorned for their bullying mindset and tactics.  Advertising and marketing flaunt the "what's-in-it-for-me" mentality.  Extravagance and ostentatious displays of opulence and greed have become the norm.  Noise and shallowness have replaced substance and thoughtfulness.  Government corruption is commonplace.  Corporations and banks rape the consumers and then bend the government over the table to extract bail-outs to fund their unrelenting greed.  People making millions of dollars steal money so they can have more.  "Reality" TV brings the mindless inadequacies of people to the surface, effectively dumbing and numbing viewers while this audience of nitwits displays their lack of substance and intelligence by idolizing the mediocre.  Bi-partisan government and corruption evinces the true filth and worthlessness of politicians and their total lack of concern for what's best for the people as opposed to their lobbyist bankrolls.  Charities beg for money and then top officials embezzle the funds or receive obscene salaries.   The focus is "Me First."

     I can certainly continue with the comparison.  I could also delineate a great deal of good that has been created over the last sixty years with advances in medicine, technology, and embracing the global community.  However, as impressive as these achievements are, I still don't believe it tips the scales to warrant awarding the title of greatest generation to any of these groups.

     I just hope The Greatest Generation is yet to come.