Pre-Boomer Musings

If you’re one of those people who think we have elections too often in this country and think the system is a creation of the modern political parties, think again.  The basis for the government and how we elect our representatives was conceived by our Founding Fathers.  They wanted to be sure their could be a peaceful people’s revolution every two years.  And, it’s worked pretty well for over two centuries.

These folks understood human nature.  They came here to be free from persecution and build a new life in a new land.  They fought to be independent.  And, they established The Constitution in 1787 to spell out the role of government.  Article I, Section 2 of The Constitution states, “The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second year by the People…” 

This frequency of elections remains unchanged from the beginning of the United States until the present.  Voting every two years gives citizens the chance to change the government before unpopular policies lead the nation too far astray.  Look at the shifts in the last six years.  A change in congressional power in 2006, a new president and an increase in the majority in both chambers in 2008 and in 2010 a historic reversal in the balance of power in the house.  What could be more revolutionary than this?

And who played a major role in the recent eventful election?  New Seniors, that’s who. Those 65+ accounted for about one out of every four votes cast, making this age group one of the most influential in the entire voting process.  A whopping 70% of this demographic turned out for the 2008 presidential election and an estimated 60% voted in the 2010 midterm, the least fall off of any voting bloc.

Almost 7% more voters went to the polls this year versus the last midterm four years ago.  However, this is a third less than the 2008 presidential election.  The most apparent declines came from the youth vote (18 to 29) and among ethnic groups of all ages.  Reductions in their numbers spotlighted the importance of the New Seniors. 

The importance of New Seniors will become more meaningful as the baby boomers start turning 65 in next year.  A boomer will be 65 at the rate of one every ten seconds from 2011 through 2030.  That’s four million additional New Seniors a year for the next two decades.  So the politicians need to pay attention to the emergence of “Platinum Power.”

This is the time for those 65+ to organize, develop a strong message and make a concerted effort to be recognized by the media.  In the past, the 65+ voter went to the polls and then waited to see what happened before the next election.  Now you can become proactive in politics and every other aspect of life that has an impact on the wellbeing of today’s New Senior.

Be an active part of the NewSeniors.com community.  Tell your friends to join in the grassroots effort to help make America a better place now and in the future.

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