Sullivan seems to speak for a generation that I'm not sure he can be included in, not having lived on the American continent until his 20s. His viewpoints certainly have merit, but it may be a mistake to think that he has particular insight on Gen X as a collective. Of course, it is probably a mistake for anyone to speak on behalf of an entire generation. It's also pretty sad that these people have reached middle age, and are still waiting for their turn at bat. Obviously it has to be that way with respect to presidential candidates, but with respect to actual voters, these guys are old enough to have kids that are old enough to vote, and we treat them like the voice of the new generation. To the hip hop generation, guys like Sullivan are probably the old farts with their petty squabbles over irrelevant issues.
One thing I do get from Sullivan is the colossal failing of the GOP to accomplish anything of worth to their own constituents. He seems to support Obama only as the lesser of 3 evils, but more telling is that he supported Kerry as well. When a person who is a fiscal conservative and social moderate is supporting candidates like John Kerry, the supposed conservative party is really missing the ball somewhere in their handling of economic issues. And for social conservatives, they have accomplished little more than blowing smoke. That Kerry still managed to lose, and Hillary could be next, might make one question whether either major party is able to do anything right.
When Clinton was President and Republicans took over Congress, they played the role of obstructionists and our government literally did nothing except maintain the status quo for months at a time (even having no approved budget for the current fiscal year at one point). That was fiscal conservatism in a literal sense, and the country seemed to thrive for it.
One thing I do get from Sullivan is the colossal failing of the GOP to accomplish anything of worth to their own constituents. He seems to support Obama only as the lesser of 3 evils, but more telling is that he supported Kerry as well. When a person who is a fiscal conservative and social moderate is supporting candidates like John Kerry, the supposed conservative party is really missing the ball somewhere in their handling of economic issues. And for social conservatives, they have accomplished little more than blowing smoke. That Kerry still managed to lose, and Hillary could be next, might make one question whether either major party is able to do anything right.
When Clinton was President and Republicans took over Congress, they played the role of obstructionists and our government literally did nothing except maintain the status quo for months at a time (even having no approved budget for the current fiscal year at one point). That was fiscal conservatism in a literal sense, and the country seemed to thrive for it.