Hm, Election Day. I guess I’m supposed to get excited.
Though I have no idea why.
Excited for what, and for whom? These jackaboots, these charlatans, these wasters-of-life-and-limb that somehow think they’re making my life better?
Ha - they’re making my life worse!
On the eve of the election, the corporate newspaper in this sleepy mountain community told us we have nearly 1,300 homeless people in town, and a 0.3% rental vacancy rate.
They told us average rents went from $900 two years ago to $1,110 today...with no corresponding wage hikes.
And they wonder why the world is falling apart around them.
‘They’...the same folks that came of age when the country had $300 billion in debt. As they retired, the country has $29 trillion.
What a successful generation.
Of course, the truth is, the earth has never seen a more devastating generation than the Baby Boomers. It’ll take over a century to clean up their mess. (Let's not even get into what they supposedly did to the climate, and how they want their kids and grandkids to suffer because of it).
Here in Missoula, we’ve had a Baby Boomer run amok for nearly 20 years, and he’s set to get another term this evening.
Jacob Elder doesn’t stand a chance, and most that follow politics knew that well before filing day. It’s why two that had absolutely no chance jumped into the race on the last day: they knew Missoula was screwed.
Didn’t make much difference. The election today was the same as it was a year ago - Engen and Elder.
Ever since the primary, I’ve been joking with numerous members of the public about the race.
‘Who are you voting for, Greg?’
I chuckle, shake my head, and say, ‘Well, I’m gonna hold my nose and vote for Elder...though I don’t really want to.’
My words are met with a disconsolate look off into the distance; a frustrated nod. People want change desperately...but just not this bad.
And the peanut gallery? I think the only close race will be Ward 5, which flipped last time. Police officer Bob Campbell has the best chance of anyone...though I still think he’ll come up a few points short. Every other council race will likely be won by the favored corporate-Dems by 10 points, though Carlino might get within 5. It’s going to be interesting how frustrated he and his girlfriend get after tonight, and how much they lash out at others on social media.
Of course, for you and I...nothing will change. For the better, that is.
My landlord’s taxes will go up, as will my rent will when I have to sign a new lease. Most small businesses around town will raise their prices, because their rents and taxes and costs are going up. My hourly wage will in no way match that. It's already been revealed that Engen's affordable housing cornerstone project on Scott Street will be delayed at least a year, due to rising construction costs.
Yes...let's go Brandon.
Because of the things I just mentioned, more and more of our young and ‘upwardly mobile’ residents will move away, making our aging-crisis even worse.
Tired of waiting in the drive-thru for 30 minutes? Get ready for an hour.
Can't get that elective surgery this month? Get ready to wait for six.
You're having a heart attack and just called 911? Hey...good luck with that.
But the Baby Boomers don’t wanna hear it...they don't wanna hear any of that. They weren't raised to hear those kinds of truths. Their Depression-era parents shielded them from the real world. We're all paying the price for that.
Remember, these are the people currently 'in charge,' currently 'leading the country.'
They want to continue to live in the world of make-belive that they’ve spent most of their lives creating….creating off the debt-ridden backs of their kids and grandkids.
They’ll never say they’re sorry; that kind of empathetic gene simply isn’t in them.
No, they’ll blame you for their problems.
[Huge, deep sigh]
It’s gonna take at least another decade for us to heal from this generational malaise and malcontent.
The 2020s are gonna be rough, and I think 2022 is gonna be one helluva year. Many won’t be able to take it. I suspect suicides will skyrocket next year.
For many, though...it’s gonna be a great year, one filled with numerous opportunities.
Every cloud has a silver lining, especially in a universe where the moral arc bends towards justice.
The world is what you make it, and your outlook dictates that world. Do you want to be mad, glad, happy, sad? The world picks up on your outlook and attitude, and returns it to you.
Yes, things appear to be incredibly bad right now, and only getting worse.
But if you flip that on its head you see that things are really good, and only getting better.
Which world do you want to live in, and how can you make that your reality?
