Plugged in and tuned out, Americans born since the early 80s have been dismissed as apathetic, self-centered,

and ineffectual. The postboomer generations aren't burning bras in protest, demonstrating through sit-ins, or visibly "changing the world" like their aging parents and grandparents. But here's a news flash mom and pop: those same apathetic youngsters risk their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, watched the Twin Towers fall during study hall, hack into corporate systems to make a point, leak out international secrets to bring down governments, volunteer at the soup kitchen every Friday, and actively engage in their own private boycotts of Walmart, pesticide-ridden food, gas guzzling cars, and McDonald's. White picket fences and McMansions are out, and socially conscious financial decisions are in. Sure, there are still millions of young Americans that really want the latest piece of plastic crap hocked by Target and Express as the "next sexy thing", but economics and a sense of social justice leads many young Americans to forgo the $125 sneakers made by some child in Bangladesh to go on overseas trips to help the poor in Haiti, South America, and China. Tired of old religious practices, these newer generations have forged their own definition of the American church, founding thousands of small community churches more concerned with feeding the homeless down the street than impressing the well-dressed neighbor a pew over. Generation X, Gen Y, and the Internet Generation are sick of the hypocrisy. Gen X and Gen Y watched boomer parents slowly succumb to corporate greed, legalism, and fear. In response to the social activism of their children, these older generations yearn for "the good old days" where being American meant that you lived in a perfect suburban home, drove an inefficient Ford, and never had to worry that your daughter would bring home a young man named Malik or Jose'. The American Dream is not dead. It has changed. The American Dream is just as likely to involve an affordable apartment in the city, or a job at a nonprofit, or walking to work, or living with a dozen good friends in a self-sustaining community. White picket fence or Spanish tile, each home is uniquely diverse and uniquely American.

Children of color make up over fifty percent of babies born each year today, and families are as likely to speak Spanish or Creole or Russian or Mandarin or any other language as English in their homes. American is now an urban nation, with urban problems that cannot be addressed by agrarian policies. Now these Boomers control the nation and are running it into the ground. As they age, one has to wonder what will happen when the youths they doomed to poverty enter into office and have to make the life and death decisions regarding food, healthcare, and social security for the elderly. Will Generation X, Y, and Z, show mercy to the generation that was willing to let oil tycoons guzzle up American profits as one in eight American children remained homeless? What will happen with the Boomers are the ones in need of a handout? But that is for the future, and hopefully Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z will learn to balance responsibility with compassion. If the aged corporate patsies in Congress think they will continue to force their self-serving consumerist policies down our throats as they bankrupt our system in order fill their own bulging pocketbooks, then Congress has a rude awakening coming. If they think that Gen X and Gen Y care about Democrats, Republicans, Tea Parties, or Independents, then they have misjudged generations. As 2012 creeps upon us, and the stars align for impending economic doom in the Unites States, Lady Liberty's youths will cry out for freedom, equality, and good economy and squelch the overlords in Congress.