http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/genx/ en-us Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:11:30 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387883/posts CHICAGO – They’re antsy and edgy, tired of waiting for promotion opportunities at work as their elders put off retirement. A good number of them are just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can hop to the next job, find something more fulfilling and get what they think they deserve. Oh, and they want work-life balance too. Sounds like Gen Y, the so-called “entitlement generation,” right? Not necessarily, say people who track the generations. In these hard times, they’re also hearing strong rumblings of discontent from Generation X. They’re the 32- to 44-year-olds who are wedged between... The News Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387883/posts#comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:11:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387146/posts CHICAGO -- They're antsy and edgy, tired of waiting for promotion opportunities at work as their elders put off retirement. A good number of them are just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can hop to the next job, find something more fulfilling and get what they think they deserve. Oh, and they want work-life balance, too. Sounds like Gen Y, the so-called "entitlement generation," right? Not necessarily, say people who track the generations. In these hard times, they're also hearing strong rumblings of discontent from Generation X. They're the 32- to 44-year-olds who are wedged between... WSMV Nashville, TN. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387146/posts#comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:55:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2383151/posts It’s bad enough that President Obama could not be bothered to attend the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. But Hillary Clinton’s refusal to even acknowledge the role played by Ronald Reagan in the Wall’s demise as well as the downfall of Communism was highly insulting towards one of the greatest figures of our time, and reeked of petty and partisan mean-spiritedness. The Secretary of State’s remarks yesterday in Berlin completely erased from history the huge contribution played not only by President Reagan but also by the United States in confronting the Soviet Empire.... Telegraph Blogs (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2383151/posts#comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:34:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2364187/posts Pop group A-ha have announced they are to call it a day, just months after achieving a top 10 album in the UK. "We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale," the group, which formed 25 years ago, said. The trio added that the split would allow them to pursue "other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else". The Norwegian band scored international hits with The Sun Always Shines On TV and Take On Me in the 1980s. Their most recent album, Foot Of The Mountain, marked a return to their synth-pop roots after a... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2364187/posts#comment Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:24:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2352559/posts On November 3, Sub Pop will reissue Nirvana's classic 1989 debut Bleach. The 20th anniversary deluxe edition, which will be available on CD and 180 gram white vinyl, will include a complete live recording of a 1990 gig at Portland's Pine Street Theatre. Bleach producer Jack Endino mixed the previously unreleased show from the original tapes. Now, we've got one track from it. Endino really did a hell of a job on "Scoff", which sounds about a million percent crispier than your average live recording. Kurt Cobain's voice here is even more ragged than on the Bleach version, if that's... Pitchfork http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2352559/posts#comment Thu, 1 Oct 2009 16:14:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2346827/posts Entitlements: That day when Social Security pays out more in benefits than it takes in with payroll taxes is no longer years away. It's here now. Reform, alas, is not. It's widely known that Social Security is headed for deep financial problems. But mainly because projections didn't have the program running deficits until almost 2020, there's been little urgency to make changes in the system. Typical. Politicians are generally inclined to avoid making decisions on such difficult issues. When President Bush proposed a partial privatization plan four years ago, Congress deferred because most members figured they wouldn't be in office... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2346827/posts#comment Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:05:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2332093/posts Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Area Junior High School Students November 14, 1988 The President. You know, this is a real treat for me -- having you here and to have, in a little while, the chance to answer some of your questions. Let me also offer a special hello to those of you who are watching on C-SPAN and -- or the Instructional Television Network. Thank you for inviting us into your home or your school today. This marks the beginning of American Education Week, and I'm particularly pleased to be talking to American students in this, the first in... President Ronald Reagan Presidential Archives http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2332093/posts#comment Fri, 4 Sep 2009 14:37:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2324181/posts Many baby boomers (Americans in the generation born between 1946 and 1964) are continuing to use illicit drugs as they grow older, causing the rate of illicit drug use to go up within the 50 to 59 year old age segment of the population. According to a new analytical publication produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), those aged 50 to 59 reporting use of illicit drugs within the past year has nearly doubled from 5.1 percent in 2002 to 9.4 percent in 2007 while rates among all other age groups are statistically staying the same... Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2324181/posts#comment Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:42:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2304957/posts [...] Perhaps as early as this year, Social Security, at $680 billion the nation's biggest social program, will be transformed from an operation that's helped finance the rest of the government for 25 years into a cash drain that will need money from the Treasury. In other words, a bailout. [...] Unlike the pigs feeding at Uncle Sam's trough, the people who qualify for Social Security old-age benefits -- the ones who'll benefit from the bailout -- have played by the rules and paid Social Security taxes for decades. It would be immoral to tell them, "Sorry, we have to... Fortune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2304957/posts#comment Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:25:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2302255/posts The sad news of the death of former correspondent and newscaster Walter Cronkite gripped the entire nation last week and continues to do so. Many generations are grieving for the man who brought the truth of living history into our homes and into our lives. Each generation has its own vision of the man who became affectionately known as “Uncle” Walter. To the older generations, born during the Great Depression and prior, he first gained national attention by reporting firsthand on the struggle of World War II. His coverage of the war included North Africa and Europe, where he participated... Examiner.com-Nashville http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2302255/posts#comment Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:23:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2275300/posts The Minivan Celebrates 25 Years Picture the American automotive landscape without the minivan. There was a time that no such vehicle existed here, although it's difficult to imagine. Chrysler invented the front-wheel-drive minivan that debuted in the fall of 1983 as the 1984 Dodge Caravan and the Plymouth Voyager. Here's the story that led to the creation of this entirely new type of vehicle. As much as the minivan continues to be one of the most important vehicles on the road (over 500,000 minivans are sold in the U.S. each year), it's lost a lot of luster to the popular... AOL Autos http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2275300/posts#comment Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:24:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2273595/posts CAIRO – Iran clamped down Tuesday on independent media in an attempt to control images of election protests, but pictures and videos leaked out anyway — showing how difficult it is to shut off the flow of information in the Internet age. The restrictions imposed by the government made such social-networking sites as Twitter and Flickr more prominent — with even the U.S. State Department calling on Twitter to put off a scheduled shutdown for maintenance. Iranians were posting items online, but it wasn't known how much of that information was being seen by others inside the country. And although... Yahoo via AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2273595/posts#comment Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:52:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2265956/posts 370 Beech Street, Highland Park, IL 4 Bed, 4 Bath | 5,300 Sq Ft on 0.75 Acres $2,3000,000. THE BEN ROSE HOME-site of the famous movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", cantilevered over the ravine, these two steel and glass buildings, which can never be duplicated, have incredible vistas of the surrounding woods. This is a unique property designed by A. James Speyer and David Haid, both notable architects of the 20th Century. Estate Sale Sold -No disclosures! This is an amazing architectural treasure. Realtor.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2265956/posts#comment Sat, 6 Jun 2009 01:58:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2255763/posts As a working American, you have paid roughly 12% of all your earnings into Social Security. Is this your money? In my opinion it certainly is. The government took it from you with the promise that it would manage it wisely for you and provide for your future retirement. Please underscore that last part: the government took your money because it deemed itself more capable than you for providing for you in your golden years. Let us begin with the assertion, then, that this is your money. Upon your retirement the government owes it to you, with interest. The trouble... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2255763/posts#comment Thu, 21 May 2009 20:36:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2255199/posts So you may have heard that ABC is doing a remake of the 80s television miniseries, "V". Trailer is at the link above. What's interesting is the angle: Devotion is the weapon, a carefully crafted message from the Visitors of Change and Hope. And a good-looking, charismatic spokeperson, with demands for a perfectly controlled image. I wonder if ABC realizes JUST how subversive it is, especially as the bloom comes off the Administration. It's even identified by a single letter. And, of course, the bringers of Change and Hope are hiding their true face, and have sinister ambitions. Sound familiar... SciFi Wire http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2255199/posts#comment Thu, 21 May 2009 02:51:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2254771/posts Isn't it high time America did less for the elderly? A politically incorrect question for sure. But Medicare has an astounding $34-trillion unfunded liability. And because of rising unemployment, its hospital-stay program will go broke two years earlier than previously predicted. For my recent ABC special "You Can't Even Talk About It", I spoke with residents of La Posada, a development in Florida that made Forbes's list of top 10 "ritzy" retirement communities. These folks are well off. And they get a bonus: You pay for most of their health care under Medicare. The retirees love it. Everyone likes getting... Townhall http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2254771/posts#comment Wed, 20 May 2009 16:48:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2251568/posts Author Mark Bauerlein aims to provoke in his new book, "The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future" (Tarcher/Penguin). Do you agree? Take a look at eight reasons the Emory University English professor gives to ''not trust anyone under 30'' -- see which you think is the best. Disagree, or have your own spin? Have your say on this message board. Or see if Bauerlein answered your question directly in a chat from Wednesday, May 14. 1. They make excellent "Jaywalking'' targetsBauerlein writes: "The ignorance is hard to believe ... It isn't enough to... boston.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2251568/posts#comment Fri, 15 May 2009 14:20:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2250205/posts I would like to share, with you, my friends and fellow Freepers, a quite remarkable, somewhat complicated, and very personal experience in hopes you will find it as fascinating as I do! Also, I would like to hear your thoughts, comments and recollections, and perhaps learn of similar experiences. The other day I awoke with an absolutely wonderful, driving, soaring pop song in my head, a song I had never before given any thought to, and which I had not heard in a very long time: Synchronicity II by The Police (1983). If you don't know the song, here it... Free Republic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2250205/posts#comment Wed, 13 May 2009 19:23:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2250150/posts "HOPE I DIE BEFORE I GET OLD" always seemed to be the retirement-planning credo of Baby Boomers. It seems like ages ago, but just back in October 2007, Kiplinger's was featuring a cover story shouting, "Retire Rich," a theme favored by finance-magazine editors nearly as often then as "New Sex Secrets" or the like got plastered on the front of the likes of Cosmopolitan. Both are probably equally fictional, though I have not researched the latter. Most likely, it's doubtful there are any revelations on either score. Retiring rich requires the discipline to save along with discipline, diversified asset allocation... Barron's http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2250150/posts#comment Wed, 13 May 2009 18:12:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2249186/posts Report on Social Security and Medicare could be bleakerStory By: Associated Press Updated Tue May 12, 2009, 06:44 AM MDT Analysts say today's release of a report card on Social Security and Medicare won't be anything to celebrate. Analysts think this year's trustees' report will project the two trust funds will run out of money sooner than projected a year ago, thanks in part to the worst recession in decades and resulting high unemployment. The economic downturn has resulted in a loss of 5.7 million payroll jobs since it began in December 2007 and an unemployment rate that hit a... KOAA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2249186/posts#comment Tue, 12 May 2009 13:07:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2240615/posts Remember the looming Social Security crisis? If you don’t, you’re not alone. The credit crisis and economic downturn have monopolized public attention to such an extent that the Social Security crisis that was at the center of the policy debate during President George W. Bush’s second term now seems forgotten. This is unfortunate, for not only has Social Security not been fixed, but reform, if done right by tapping into the power of the market, can help provide new capital, which American businesses now desperately need. To see how this could be done, it’s worth looking at the experience of... Real Clear Markets http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2240615/posts#comment Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:52:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2231702/posts Here's the good news: future costs of Social Security and Medicare won't require higher taxes. Now here's the bad news: the reason these programs won't require higher taxes is that they'll be so expensive that there's no possible way to pay for them through taxes. Everything in the US (not counting people) is worth about $50 trillion and those two programs will cost $80 trillion, unless they are reformed. Wharton insurance and risk management professor Kent Smetters, a former deputy assistant Treasury secretary and economist for the Congressional Budget Office, explains that the only way for these problems to survive... The Business Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2231702/posts#comment Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:33:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2230871/posts Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ has topped a new poll of ‘The Greatest Albums of all Time’. The 1982 hit notched up almost one in three of all votes cast by more than 40,000 fans, and 20 percent more than its nearest rival. Paying tribute to the king of pop, DJ Trevor Nelson said there would probably never be another album like it. “Thriller was innovative, groundbreaking and is timeless. I don’t think there will be another album like it - ever,” the Daily Star quoted him, as saying. In the poll, conducted by music channel MTV, Craig David’s ‘Born To Do... Entertainment http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2230871/posts#comment Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:24:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2225631/posts Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better. Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better. Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not... Rasmussen Reports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2225631/posts#comment Thu, 9 Apr 2009 15:18:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2220882/posts Don't ask why I do it. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment. I love to patrol the liberal blogs to get a glimpse at their thought process, or lack of which. I drop a comment from time to time, which normally kicks off a flurry of name calling, hair pulling, and all sorts of other forms of serious debate. Today's waste of time was spent on FireDogLake, where they seem to have a problem with Paul Ryan's comments regarding the future of Social Security. Keep in mind one thing: liberals love them some social security. Political Castaway http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2220882/posts#comment Thu, 2 Apr 2009 18:37:00 GMT