Millennials vs. boomers: You twerps owe us everything

Times Herald Record Middletown, NY ^ | 9/12/10 | Steve Israel

[Impala64ssa]

Let's get one thing straight, all of you millennials out there.

If it weren't for us baby boomers, most of you wouldn't be here. Literally.

We are your parents. You sprung from our wombs, from our love.

We don't just deserve your respect; we deserve your eternal gratitude — for the food you ate, for the clothes you wore, for the roofs over your heads. By the way, we're still giving food, clothes and roofs to the more than 10 million of you who still live in our homes.

And what have you millennials — the 50 million Americans born between 1980 and 1995 who are becoming adults at the start of this new millennium — given us?

Nada — except the smug expectation that we should give you more.

Let's start with culture — like the music you listen to, on the gizmos we boomers invented.

Not only are Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, U2 and the late Michael Jackson bona fide, card carrying boomers born between 1946 and 1964. The music we boomers grew up on — the Beatles, the Stones, Dylan, Hendrix, Motown and James Brown — is the music you listen to now, because you hardly have any of your own.

Unless, of course, you count Lady Gaga.

We gave you technology like cell phones.

And did you ever hear of this little invention called the Internet?

Yup. Boomers (not including Al Gore) gave you that, too

[netmilsmom]

Well, golly.
Thanks!!!

[netmilsmom]

Thank you.
I’m proud of those of us who are fighting for the kids and grandkids.

I look at my poor nephew, working two jobs to support his four kids (including my namesake) and want to slap his lib boomer mother.

[rwa265]

On the other hand, there is no greater feeling in the world than to have your child, out of the blue, thank you for how well your raised them, as my daughter born in 1978 recently did. It brought a tear to my eye.

[Marie]

I love my Boomer mom, my in-laws and my aunts and uncles dearly. Many of them fell into the social traps of the 70's and almost everyone in my family is from a broken home.

We traveled through life's disappointments and difficulties with our parents and we feel a lot of love and compassion for them even while we're rolling our eyes.

But I did have an argument with my mom a couple of months ago that does show where the front-lines of the generational war will be fought and it's Social Security.

My mom went off on how she paid into it for years and it is money owed to her. I told her that my husband pays in $500 a month and we'll *never* see a dime of that money if the Boomers don't take some sort of hit. (Like not getting the money if one already receives a retirement or raising the age to 70, like it already is set for many of us Xers.)

She brought up the "trust fund" and again said that it's "my money!" I had to explain to her that the fund was empty. That politicians had drained it years ago. That my husband and I were already paying for *her* Social Security right NOW. That there was nothing else left.

She got quiet for a bit then told me that she was promised that money and she was damn well taking it. I told her that that promise was a LIE. I asked her why my generation was expected to accept that we were lied to, but her's wasn't.

Finally I concluded with the statement that *everyone* will have to take a hit over the next few years. Seniors, government workers, welfare moms - everyone on the gov't dole. It has to stop or there will not be an America for her grandchildren.

And so the argument goes.

Most Boomers that I've talked to about this mess are bothered, but not bothered enough to do something about it. Not bothered enough to not take the money. And definitely not bothered enough to vote for a politician who promises to mess with their precious gov't check.

This stupid program is going to be the death of our county in many ways. It's ripping us apart economically and ripping apart the generations like nothing else ever could. I'm terrified that the economic pressures *will* bring out the animal in the younger generations and that the solution for an unwanted child since Roe will be applied to an unwanted grandmother very soon.

And no, I don't blame the Boomers for starting this mess. The whole party began with the generation before. With that said, generational warfare gets us nowhere. We're all going to have to act like adults now.

[GVnana]

The “Greatest Generation” screwed us all.

Agreed.

[netmilsmom]

>>. With that said, generational warfare gets us nowhere. We’re all going to have to act like adults now. <<

I fully agree with you.

Personally I’ll be saying “Welcome to Walmart” before my kids have to pay for me. I plan on a nice 10% discount for that Mighty Dog I’ll be munching on.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>>This generation, the “South Park” conservatives are our only hope.

We are screwed.

[Marie]

You sound like my husband! lol!

I told my kids that they were going to have to work *very* hard and stay out of financial trouble. “If you make us bail you out when you’re young, then we’re moving in with *you* when we’re old!”

They’re both hustling! ;-)

Seriously, the kids are growing up and will be on their own soon. Hubby and I figure that we’ll need about twenty more years to work and save for *us* before we’re “safe” in our old age. (And you can forget about the retirement home! Our dream house will be one story and handicap accessible!)

[Rytwyng]

DON’T TRUST ANYONE OVER 30. An old slogan that needs new life.

[DJ MacWoW]

DON’T TRUST ANYONE OVER 30. An old slogan that needs new life.

Hardly. We have race wars, class envy and now "generational" warfare is being stoked. How about we stick to Conservatives against liberal loons instead of letting them divide us.

[gogogodzilla]

South Park conservatives are mainly Gen X’ers.

Just look at the ‘in-jokes’ for the show... and their creators. All Gen X.

For a millenial, a good portion of the show flies over their heads. Just look at their tribute show to ‘Heavy Metal’ (movie, not music genre).

[chris_bdba]

No we didn’t we got it that way from our parents many of whom are still alive and collecting social security.We are both bomers and have another 15 years of workig before we even get to think about slowng down.

[chris_bdba]

I prefer to call us who were born between 1956 and 1967 Generation Jones because we don’t really fit into the boomer or the Gen X mold nd really are a different generation.My parents were not WWII vets they were 19 and 21 in 1960 when I was born same for my hubby only his parents were a little younger in 1957 when he arrived.

[FreedomPoster]

Well said. Best post in the thread so far.

[MWestMom]

So, when your mother, who depended on the “honesty” of the government doesn't get the money that she expected, and when she has nothing else to live on or not enough, you will be willing to take her into your home, as was done for hundreds if not thousands of years, and make your home hers? Or are you advocating the solution to which you alluded when bringing up Roe vs. Wade with regard to unwanted parents?

How dare you even argue with your mother about something that threatens her very security? Shame on you. What goes around comes around and you will be approaching that time in your life someday, when not all looks as possible as it does with the strength and blush of youth. When you lie awake at night after living your life and giving your all to family, and wonder if there will be enough and if you are going to be a burden.

After the economic debacle we have just witnessed, if you think that this administration or group of progressives worldwide is going to allow individual solutions like IRA’s or 401k’s go untouched then you are suffering from the same trusting naivete that you proclaim your parents suffered.

[goodnesswins]

This is a perfect example of Obomba succeeding....in dividing America up into little fiefdoms.....fighting among themselves, instead of fighting the REAL enemy....GOVERNMENT largesse and bureaucracy

[Stand Watch Listen]

Remind sme of a story regarding Ronald Reagan.

Seems there was a protestor at one of Reagan's speeches. The protestor lamented that Reagan was old fashioned, did not know the ways of the 'modern' world. Stating that Reagan and his generation did not grow up with space technology, computers, global/modern communication, jet aircraft, television. Reagan camly acquiesed and then stated that yes it was correct his generation did not grow up with space technology, computers, global/modern communication, jet aircraft, television. But that his generation invented space technology, computers, global/modern communication, jet aircraft, television.

Love that man!!

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

George: It was on CNN ( Kramer comes in and he is taping from a Camcorder) This Chinese doctor Zeng Zau has discovered a cure for baldness.

Jerry: ( to Kramer) What's this?

Kramer: Well I just got it. Spector gave it to me , he's giving everything away...becoming a minimalist.

George: Is that the guy who likes fat women?

Jerry: Doesn't the fat fetish conflict with the minimalism?

[Nowhere Man]

I prefer to call us who were born between 1956 and 1967 Generation Jones because we don’t really fit into the boomer or the Gen X mold nd really are a different generation.My parents were not WWII vets they were 19 and 21 in 1960 when I was born same for my hubby only his parents were a little younger in 1957 when he arrived.

You made the same point as me, I consider myself a "Joneser." My parents were born in 1937 (Dad) and 1938 (Mom) so they are around the same age as yours. I was born in 1966. I just think we have some in common with the Boomers and some with the X'ers but can't quite fit in with either. Still, we need to quit fighting among the generations and keep focused on conservative/libertarians vs. liberals.

I think about the Social Security debate, we need to change it and/or phase it out. Anybody from a certain age and under, either will not see Social Security at all or will have to understand that it is not meant to give us a living on it's own although if we are disabled and can't work, that is a different story. We do need to reassure the older folks, they will still get it as they have been and then the change will take affect over time. Still, I think we can cut many things before we get to Social Security but even then, we will have to cut there at some point. If it is to be phased out completely, then I think those that will not get it should have what they paid into it refunded and put into a private retirement account.

[98ZJ USMC]

Yep, Generation Jones.

and

“They tuk ehr JOBS!”