The generation gap between old folks and young kids has never been
wider. Technology is the culprit, We are increasingly divided along
the lines of who texts and who doesn't.
But another gap has appeared based on philosophy. More specifically
regarding tolerance of those who are "different" than us.
The gay rights issue is exhibit A.
The kids wonder why the older generation spends so much time
worrying about that?
The "worry" has translated into a variety of ballot proposals
seeking to ban "gay marriage" with the accompanying rhetoric that to do
so will destroy traditional marriages.
The kids go, What?
The research here is pretty clear and it has unmistakable
implications for turning our state around.
Everyone from the governor on down admit that young entrepreneurs
are the ones who help turn the state around if we can only lure them
here long enough to do it. As Free Press columnist Ron Dzwonkowski
recently penned, Michigan is getting grayer by the minute and unless
there is an infusion of new, young, and more tolerant blood, we are
pretty much doomed.
Many young persons are actually attracted to communities where
persons of all ways of life are welcome without disdain, without
critical comment and without berating them for being different.
Researcher Lou Glazer has documented these "live and let live"
attitudes yet his data had no impact on Gov. Snyder who recently signed
legislation to ban some live-in partners from collecting health care
benefits from the state.
That's been the cause celebre of some legislative Republicans for
years and the governor sided with them while demonstrating a little
hypocrisy of his own.
He believes universities should provide these benefits but
everyone else in the real world should not have them.
What's the difference the young kid from Ohio who contemplates
moving to Michigan must be thinking?