" I was verbally ostracized and attacked by two nincompoops, both one-time 'hippies' who imagined that they were "counterculture." Over the years, without them even noticing, they had become establishment types and authoritarians."

Bingo. You've put your finger on exactly the current situation. Today's ruling class is made up of one-time rebels who have now become exactly what they once hated.

"Fascist Hippies," if you will.