Slackers to saviors: Gen X resists the left and our skepticism can save America

Last week a New York Times/Siena poll found that Americans of every generation shifted to the left over the last two years — except for one: Generation X.Liberal Boomers, Millennials and Gen Zers were gobsmacked. “What’s wrong with Gen X?” they demanded.As a member of that generation I’m here to tell you: Absolutely nothing.In fact, we’re the only thing standing between this country and communism — the break-glass-in-case-of-emergency generation.In the ’90s they called us slackers.

Now we’re middle-aged, menopausal and holding the door at the Alamo.Have you even said “thank you”?No mystery why we’re like this: It’s because we were neglected — latchkey kids who ate saltines for dinner.Many of our parents got divorced and forgot they had children, which was fine because we were busy getting blackout drunk in hayfields and smoking weed in garages.We also bullied each other — and it made us resilient.I’m only half kidding when I say the anti-bullying movement launched this country’s decline. Nobody came to save us, so we never expected the government to, either.Our whole political philosophy could fit on a bumper sticker: Leave us alone.And we vote on the basis of which party is more likely to do so.Also, we’re the ones who are working; we’re in our peak earning years, which means our peak taxpaying years, too.Boomers are collecting Social Security, and younger generations are trying to afford a one-bedroom — the people writing the checks are us.Oh, you mean to tell me the people paying for everything don’t want everything to be free? Shocker.Nothing makes you more skeptical of “free” like being the one forced to pay for it.Plus, we’re tired.Not like social-justice couch-warrior “I’m tired,” I mean literally and physically.We have toddlers, plus teens, plus kids in their 20s who moved back home.Don’t forget aging parents: Not just two, because they all got divorced and remarried, but four.

Sometimes six.Divorce...