ELECTION MAY TOUCH CULTURAL NERVE

At a recent meeting of United States Chamber of Commerce executives,
cultural anthropologist Jennifer James tantalized the audience by
suggesting that America was undergoing a cultural shift. In her role as a
provocateur, James touted the recent Ninth Circuit decision declaring the
words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance as an example of "a shot
across the bow" of our cultural heritage.

Does one appointed federal judge signal an entire cultural revolution? Are
we seeing other "shots across the bow"?

Locally, ballot initiatives have been filed to appear on the November
ballot dealing with the use of marijuana and gambling. Such issues have
historically been dictated by cultural mores.

Are we experiencing local "shots across the bow" of our cultural morals? Or
is this the normal cycle of generational change?

Cultural anthropologists like James spend time studying generational
shifts. Many of them spend time on the speaking circuit educating audiences
about Generation X'ers, Baby Boomers, and now the Millenials, those in the
population that are in the 17- to 25-year-old range that will be our
up-and-coming additions to the workforce.

These different generations obviously view the world differently, given the
changing environments in which they were raised.. Are they concerned about
gambling increasing in Arizona or the possible DPS disbursement of
marijuana to those who have prescriptions from doctors? These answers may
be found in election results in November.

Come November, once again, we will have the opportunity to vote on not just
one, but three propositions dealing with the future of gambling in Arizona.
Once again, the folks that want to legalize the use of marijuana in our
state are attempting to move one step further toward that goal by
decriminalizing its use.

Results from those elections could be another "shot across the bow" of
Arizona's norms.

The ads already have started on the three propositions dealing with gaming.
Signs are beginning to sprout on the marijuana ballot item. Very soon mail
will begin to hit the mailboxes of those who have a frequent voter history.

The ads are honed to 30-second sound bites aimed at simplistic pitches for
each of the propositions. Radio talk shows are finding lots of fodder for
callers and advocates of both sides of the pending issues. None of the ads,
of course, or the proposition's publicists will suggest to you that the
outcome of their issue might dramatically change how society has treated
the use of marijuana or gaming entertainment.

The messages are geared to a media-oriented society that might either
respond to catchy fast-talking pitchmen or to the more folksy warm and
fuzzy "local folks." Dissemination of hard facts is not the mission for
these pricey ads, because, quite frankly, the average listener isn't
anxious to spend that much time hearing them.

So, with minimal substantive discussion, voters of all ages will be casting
ballots on lifestyle changes that could truly be "shots across the bow" of
Arizona as we currently know it.

Concerned? I certainly am. Voter turnout in the primary election proved,
once again, to be lower than expectations, allowing many of the hard-edged
candidates from both parties to prevail. If general- election turnout is
consistent with that trend, who knows what unexpected outcome may erupt? We
could find ourselves with yet another signal of a cultural revolution, not
from an appointed federal judge, but from an inattentive state.