This Boomer Isn't Going to Apologize

[Wild Bill]

I find this to be a very good and accurate perspective.

 

This Boomer Isn't Going to Apologize

 

By STEPHEN MOORE

Last weekend I attended my niece's high-school graduation from an upscale prep school in Washington, D.C. These are supposed to be events filled with joy, optimism and anticipation of great achievements. But nearly all the kids who stepped to the podium dutifully moaned about how terrified they are of America's future -- yes, even though Barack Obama, whom they all worship and adore, has brought "change they can believe in." A federal judge gave the commencement address and proceeded to denounce the sorry state of the nation that will be handed off to them. The enemy, he said, is the collective narcissism of their parents' generation -- my generation. The judge said that we baby boomers have bequeathed to the "echo boomers," "millennials," or whatever they are to be called, a legacy of "greed, global warming, and growing income inequality."

 

And everyone of all age groups seemed to nod in agreement. One affluent 40-something woman with lots of jewelry told me she can barely look her teenagers in the eyes, so overcome is she with shame over the miseries we have bestowed upon our children.

 

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that graduation ceremonies have become collective airings of guilt and grief. It's now chic for boomers to apologize for their generation's crimes. It's the only thing conservatives and liberals seem to agree on. Mitch Daniels, the Republican governor of Indiana, told Butler University grads that our generation is "just plain selfish." At Grinnell College in Iowa, author Thomas Friedman compared boomers to "hungry locusts . . . eating through just about everything." Film maker Ken Burns told this year's Boston College grads that those born between 1946 and 1960 have "squandered the legacy handed to them by the generation from World War II."

 

I could go on, but you get the point. We partied like it was 1999, paid for it with Ponzi schemes and left the mess for our kids and grandkids to clean up. We're sorry -- so sorry.

 

Well, I'm not. I have two teenagers and an 8-year-old, and I can say firsthand that if boomer parents have anything for which to be sorry it's for rearing a generation of pampered kids who've been chauffeured around to soccer leagues since they were 6. This is a generation that has come to regard rising affluence as a basic human right, because that is all it has ever known -- until now. Today's high-school and college students think of iPods, designer cellphones and $599 lap tops as entitlements. They think their future should be as mapped out as unambiguously as the GPS system in their cars.

 

CBS News reported recently that echo boomers spend $170 billion a year -- more than most nations' GDPs -- and nearly every penny of that comes from the wallets of the very parents they now resent. My parents' generation lived in fear of getting polio; many boomers lived in fear of getting sent to the Vietnam War; this generation's notion of hardship is TiVo breaking down.

 

How bad can the legacy of the baby boomers really be? Let's see: We're the generation that spawned Microsoft, Intel, Apple, Google, ATMs and Gatorade. We defeated the evils of communism and delivered the world from the brink of global thermonuclear war. Now youngsters are telling pollsters that they think socialism may be better than capitalism after all. Do they expect us to apologize for winning the Cold War next?

 

College students gripe about the price of tuition, and it does cost way too much. But who do these 22-year-old scholars think has been footing the bill for their courses in transgender studies and Che Guevara? The echo boomers complain, rightly, that we have left them holding the federal government's $8 trillion national IOU. But try to cut government aid to colleges or raise tuitions and they act as if they have been forced to actually work for a living.

 

Yes, the members of this generation will inherit a lot of debts, but a much bigger storehouse of wealth will be theirs in the coming years. When I graduated from college in 1982, the net worth of America -- all our nation's assets minus all our liabilities -- was $16 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve. Today, even after the meltdown in housing and stocks, the net worth of the country is $45 trillion -- a doubling after inflation. The boomers' children and their children will inherit more wealth and assets than any other in the history of the planet -- that is, unless Mr. Obama taxes it all away. So how about a little gratitude from these trust-fund babies for our multitrillion-dollar going-away gifts?

 

My generation is accused of being environmental criminals -- of having polluted the water and air and ruined the climate. But no generation in history has done more to clean the environment than mine. Since 1970 pollutants in the air and water have fallen sharply. Since 1960, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh have cut in half the number of days with unsafe levels of smog. The number of Americans who get sick or die from contaminants in our drinking water has plunged for 50 years straight.

 

Whenever kids ask me why we didn't do more to combat global warming, I explain that when I was young the "scientific consensus" warned of global cooling. Today's teenagers drive around in cars more than any previous generation. My kids have never once handed back the car keys because of some moral problem with their carbon footprint -- and I think they are fairly typical.

 

The most absurd complaint of all is that the health-care system has been ruined by our generation. Oh, really? Thanks to massive medical progress in the past 30 years, the chances of dying from heart disease and many types of cancer have been cut in half. We found effective treatments for AIDS within a decade. Life expectancy has risen and infant mortality fallen. That doesn't sound so "selfish" to me.

 

Yes, we are in a deep economic crisis today -- but it's no worse than what we boomers faced in the late 1970s after years of hyperinflation, sky-high tax rates and runaway government spending. We cursed our parents, too. But then we grew up and produced a big leap forward in health, wealth and scientific progress. Let's see what this next generation of over-educated ingrates can do.

 

Mr. Moore is senior economics writer for The Wall Street Journal's editorial page.

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124537646251430161.html

[T_O_Bull]

A lot of us did get polio.

A lot of us did go to Viet Nam and far too many of us died and those of us who did come home were spat on, called baby killers or just ignored by those we came home too.

We paid our way, we married, had kids and now that we are nearing the time of retirement we are seeing our 401k's drop in value.

Yes, we paid our way.

T_O_B

[huzkerbob]

Wow, way to pat yourselves on the back Boomers! I find it hilarious that the under 25 crowd can be blamed for all socio-economic woos in our country today. While previous generations (ie: the ones making the poor decisions) are not only not responsible for the policies that brought this country to it's knees, but should be treated as heroes for the few problems they did "solve".

 

And you wonder why there is a SEVERE lack of accountability permeating society today.

[strigori]

That sounds like it came from a rather bitter old man who would usually be seen yelling at kids to 'Get off the LAWN!"

Its like that every generation. The young look at the old and think "Damn, this is some mess you left us with." And the older generation looks at the younger and thinks "Ungrateful bastards, in my day...(insert variation of walking up hill both ways in a foot of snow)

[T_O_Bull]

Wow, way to pat yourselves on the back Boomers! I find it hilarious that the under 25 crowd can be blamed for all socio-economic woos in our country today. While previous generations (ie: the ones making the poor decisions) are not only not responsible for the policies that brought this country to it's knees, but should be treated as heroes for the few problems they did "solve".

 

And you wonder why there is a SEVERE lack of accountability permeating society today.

 

 

Sorry 'huskerbob' I spent 2 hours floting in the ocean with the remains of a pilot shot down over Viet Nam.

We got him home for his family ( way too many families still do not have closure). I don't hold you accountable for anything just recognize what we did for you and take responsibility for what you do.

T_O_B

[huKSer]

That sounds like it came from a rather bitter old man who would usually be seen yelling 'Down in front"

Its like that every generation. The young look at the old and think "Damn, this is some mess you left us with." And the older generation looks at the younger and thinks "Ungrateful bastards, in my day...(insert variation of walking up hill both ways in a foot of snow)

Fixed it for you

[BigRedPowerWagon]

No the original poster is absollutely right. Im only 29 and i see what types of priorities are in the minds of the youth of america. Where most kids used to walk or ride there bikes there bugging there parents to take them places. Instead of saveing up for something they beg for advances on there allowance and do there chores half assed. I just went to a birthday party for my wifes cousins. These are the most technically advanced 9 and 10 year olds i have ever met. They got a brand new laptop to share. They have every game system known to man, i pods. They laugh at my 20 year old car and find my walmart clothing laughable. What i find is that these people get faced with hard luck situations and they dont know how to act. A pass the buck or please help me attitude is always asked. I might be 29 but i came from a family who was if you want it, go get it. I hope we dont have the current generation (who voted for this president). To find socalism a fine replacement for the democracy so many have fought and died for.

[huskertim]

That sounds like it came from a rather bitter old man who would usually be seen yelling at kids to 'Get off the LAWN!"

Its like that every generation. The young look at the old and think "Damn, this is some mess you left us with." And the older generation looks at the younger and thinks "Ungrateful bastards, in my day...(insert variation of walking up hill both ways in a foot of snow)

 

Yes, true, but both are right. These kids will grow up and bitch about the same things their parents do now.

 

The problem is, with each generation the notion of entitlement becomes more entrenched until eventually noone wants to do a dam thing for themselves. Rome is the ultimate example of this. The richer the society got , the fatter and lazier the next generation became. Eventually they wouldn't even fight their own wars. The mercenary armies that defened them weren't invested in the country and in time Rome burned. It may seem an extreme example, but I'm sure the Romans would have said the same thing until right before the gates came down.

[HuskerJen]

Technically the spoiled rotten, selfish, stupid, mindless, insipid, moronic and/or mostly worthless kids of today, meaning kids who are between the ages of 5-16, aren't the baby boomers kids. These kids are the grandchildren of baby boomers.

 

For example my mom is a baby boomer, she's 63. I'm almost 39 so it's people in my age range who have contributed the most to the spoiled rotten generation that is up and coming.

 

I am am sooo glad I never had any children.

 

But yes I see it all the time, kids today think that they are entitled to whatever they want. I was in the mall the other day and I saw, and overheard as I was walking by, teenage girl verbally berate her mother for not giving her money to buy some new clothes. I grimaced, shot the little teenage "princess" a look that would've wilted a flower-but I continued walking on by. I just remember how I was raised and I thought as I walked by, that if I would've spoken to my mom the way this girl did, I would've been back-handed on the spot and then would've recieved an a** whipping when we got home.

 

Just my .02.

[huKSer]

Technically the spoiled rotten, selfish, stupid, mindless, insipid, moronic and/or mostly worthless kids of today, meaning kids who are between the ages of 5-16, aren't the baby boomers kids. These kids are the grandchildren of baby boomers.

 

For example my mom is a baby boomer, she's 63. I'm almost 39 so it's people in my age range who have contributed the most to the spoiled rotten generation that is up and coming.

 

I am am sooo glad I never had any children.

 

But yes I see it all the time, kids today think that they are entitled to whatever they want. I was in the mall the other day and I saw, and overheard as I was walking by, teenage girl verbally berate her mother for not giving her money to buy some new clothes. I grimaced, shot the little teenage "princess" a look that would've wilted a flower-but I continued walking on by. I just remember how I was raised and I thought as I walked by, that if I would've spoken to my mom the way this girl did, I would've been back-handed on the spot and then would've recieved an a** whipping when we got home.

Just my .02.

And today you would be arrested, kids go to CPS and they get a court appointed lawyer and sue you for $1 million for severe mental trauma and punitive services.

[fro daddy]

Exactly what I was going to say huKSer. If I was that child I would have gotten my butt handed to me right there in the mall. Problem is those a generation older than me have decided that it is abuse and I would go to jail for doing the same to my child now.

 

This is all one big b**ch fest. The older generations complain that there is no discipline among today’s kids. But they are the ones who enact the laws that punish all parents for discipline, justified or not in that punishment. How quick they are to tell us what their parent did or would have done to them for such behavior; however apparently they thought it was wrong because they grew up and put laws into place that would have jailed their own parents.

 

The writer of this article sounds like a pi**ed old man who got tired of hearing about how his hippy, drugged up, worthless, lazy generation had ruined every standard and moral that his parents generation had set. Must be hard when you’re known for being the stoned, free loving hippies who ruined America for the "greatest generation”. He is now doing to the younger generation what his parents gen. did to him. And I’m sure my generation well the next about how we fought Terrorism and made it so that you little punks never had to worry about being safe in your towns and cities.

 

T.O. BTW. I am grateful for all those who gave their lives, time, blood and tears for our country. Whether people agreed with the missions or not, you will always have my respect

 

P.S. My own little poo-party about colleges. 50 years ago, only about 8% of Americans 25 and older had BS degrees and only around 40% were high school grads. Compare that to over 30% of 25 and older today have BS degrees or higher and 80% are HS grads. Continued education is a major factor in a competitive job market. Many jobs now require a college degree in order to apply. College for many is no longer an opportunity for rich kids. It's a must for almost all students. However there is nothing in this country that has accelerated in price like universities and colleges, with the one exception of healthcare. Just since I have left HS 10 years ago the cost per hour to attend my Alma matter has doubled. I would imagine that most students like me had no college fund, and my parents were not rich. In fact we were lower middle class. That meant two things. My parents could not help me pay for school and according to the govt. my parents made too much for them to help me either. SO I paid my way with work and loans. I spent every penny I saved and made to pay for my education. I worked 30+ hours a week during school from my 15th birthday through college. I worked every OT hour I could get during the summer over that same period. Everything I owed I bought. If I needed it or wanted it, Car, clothes, text books, rent, insurance, no exceptions, it come from my paycheck. I still left school with almost $30,000 in debt. And consider I went to a "cheap" school instead of the ones I wanted to attend. I know at least 20 friends of mine that had graduated or will graduate with close to $100,000 in debt to their name. That’s a hell of a way to start your adult life.

 

One more thing to keep in mind for those of us who are not spoiled. Most of us in college had minimum wage jobs. Avg in state college tuition is $10,000 a year.

$10,000 / by 40 hours worked a week at the new minimum of $7.25 is 35 weeks of work (not taking taxes in to consideration). Now add in another $10,000 plus for room and board. Keep adding for cars, insurance, clothes, books, ect. You will see that for most of us who were raised right, know about hard work and the value of a $1, there is no possible way for us to make it with out loans and debt. And you guys wonder why we are pissy. LOL

[fro daddy]

double.

[Touchdown Tommie]

I agree with HuskerJen on this one. I am 28 and I look at how my parents raised me it is completely different how the parents are raising kids today. I see it even more since I teach in a private school. It is amazing what some of the kids say they do for Christmas Breaks, Spring Breaks....or any other length of time off.

However, as it has been stated each generation complains about the others. It is just a norm and they insert the differences of how they were raised and what they wanted/got. It will go on until the end of time.

[huskerjack23]

Exactly what I was going to say huKSer. If I was that child I would have gotten my butt handed to me right there in the mall. Problem is those a generation older than me have decided that it is abuse and I would go to jail for doing the same to my child now.

 

This is all one big b**ch fest. The older generations complain that there is no discipline among today’s kids. But they are the ones who enact the laws that punish all parents for discipline, justified or not in that punishment. How quick they are to tell us what their parent did or would have done to them for such behavior; however apparently they thought it was wrong because they grew up and put laws into place that would have jailed their own parents.

 

The writer of this article sounds like a pi**ed old man who got tired of hearing about how his hippy, drugged up, worthless, lazy generation had ruined every standard and moral that his parents generation had set. Must be hard when you’re known for being the stoned, free loving hippies who ruined America for the "greatest generation”. He is now doing to the younger generation what his parents gen. did to him. And I’m sure my generation well the next about how we fought Terrorism and made it so that you little punks never had to worry about being safe in your towns and cities.

 

T.O. BTW. I am grateful for all those who gave their lives, time, blood and tears for our country. Whether people agreed with the missions or not, you will always have my respect

 

P.S. My own little poo-party about colleges. 50 years ago, only about 8% of Americans 25 and older had BS degrees and only around 40% were high school grads. Compare that to over 30% of 25 and older today have BS degrees or higher and 80% are HS grads. Continued education is a major factor in a competitive job market. Many jobs now require a college degree in order to apply. College for many is no longer an opportunity for rich kids. It's a must for almost all students. However there is nothing in this country that has accelerated in price like universities and colleges, with the one exception of healthcare. Just since I have left HS 10 years ago the cost per hour to attend my Alma matter has doubled. I would imagine that most students like me had no college fund, and my parents were not rich. In fact we were lower middle class. That meant two things. My parents could not help me pay for school and according to the govt. my parents made too much for them to help me either. SO I paid my way with work and loans. I spent every penny I saved and made to pay for my education. I worked 30+ hours a week during school from my 15th birthday through college. I worked every OT hour I could get during the summer over that same period. Everything I owed I bought. If I needed it or wanted it, Car, clothes, text books, rent, insurance, no exceptions, it come from my paycheck. I still left school with almost $30,000 in debt. And consider I went to a "cheap" school instead of the ones I wanted to attend. I know at least 20 friends of mine that had graduated or will graduate with close to $100,000 in debt to their name. That’s a hell of a way to start your adult life.

 

One more thing to keep in mind for those of us who are not spoiled. Most of us in college had minimum wage jobs. Avg in state college tuition is $10,000 a year.

$10,000 / by 40 hours worked a week at the new minimum of $7.25 is 35 weeks of work (not taking taxes in to consideration). Now add in another $10,000 plus for room and board. Keep adding for cars, insurance, clothes, books, ect. You will see that for most of us who were raised right, know about hard work and the value of a $1, there is no possible way for us to make it with out loans and debt. And you guys wonder why we are pissy. LOL

all that college stuff you just commented on. thank you so much. frickin a.

[huKSer]

Exactly what I was going to say huKSer. If I was that child I would have gotten my butt handed to me right there in the mall. Problem is those a generation older than me have decided that it is abuse and I would go to jail for doing the same to my child now.

Thanks

 

**SNIP**

College for many is no longer an opportunity for rich kids. It's a must for almost all students. However there is nothing in this country that has accelerated in price like universities and colleges, with the one exception of healthcare. Just since I have left HS 10 years ago the cost per hour to attend my Alma matter has doubled.

**SNIP**

College was always expensive. You should have heard my classmates bitching when "The Daily Half-askan" (the NU student paper) announced that the next year tuition was going to be OVER $20 per credit hour!!

 

As far as NEEDING a 4 year college degree, I tell my students to consider 2 year colleges: great demand for technical jobs (my son has a KU degree in economics, poly sci and no job) health care, HVAC plumbing. But especially copier repair: its indoors, pays well, you are not around your boss and people love to see you.