All the way back. This is a problem that has been building since FDR instituted the first national transfer payment system in the 1930s. That is why it is unfair to say "the Boomers" are destroying the country by taking SS and Medicare. The Welfare State that was set up by the Dems in the 1930s and that was expanded in EACH generation since is what is destroying the country.
The answer isn't to cut off SS and Medicare but the answer isn't to let Boomers continue on with the program "as is" either.
There was the 30s and the expansion of government. Many of these folks then spent the early 40s with the government caring for them in a way via the military. Please don’t flame me. I saw a man on TV once that cried because when he went into the military in ‘42, it was the first time he had shoes to wear. Was very emotional to him. When the war was over, they could have help going to school, help getting houses etc... I am not condemning, I am just pointing out how that influenced later decisions by this generation. I also think they tried to pass on values, but like the other post, the values were mocked and rejected during the 60s.
Considering the story of Col Crockett & farmer Bunce we need to go back alot further than that. In fact this particular problem goes ALL the way back.