General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This, my friends, is far too typical for my generation. [View all]Laelth
(32,017 posts)I appreciate the time and effort you put into this. Here's what I can say in response.
I do not accuse you or your generation of being negligent on social issues or civil issues. You have done quite well with those and I have said so, here and here. I do accuse you and your generation for negligence on economic issues. If you'd like to take issue with that, fair enough.
Indeed, you're living in this world too, but is it not possible that this world is still better now for most Boomers than it is for most Xers? Let's examine four, simple questions: Is your student loan debt paid off? Is your house paid off? Have your children already been reared and (often) put through college? Do you have some savings and economic security? Most Boomers I know can answer "yes" to many or all of those key questions. Most Xers I know would answer "no" to most of those questions. Boomers, generally speaking, are in a better position to handle the present economic downturn. Thus, I suggest, this world, which we all share, is worse for us, specifically. Many factors have contributed to this state of affairs, and, frankly, I don't care who's to blame, but I do expect liberals to see the world as it is and not as they wish it to be. That this world is harder on me and my generation than it was on my parents and their generation is such an apparent truth, from my point of view, that I can scarcely believe that some people have taken issue with this observation.
I suppose one learns something new every day. Perhaps I am wrong.
I agree that people have always worked hard, but GenX is now the dominant cohort in the workforce, and the productivity of American workers is greater than in any other nation on Earth, and productivity continues to rise. Thus, I assume, GenX is working harder. I suppose I could be wrong about that too. Undoubtedly, Boomers started this trend and worked harder than their parents, but the numbers seem to indicate that Xers are working even harder than Boomers. How else should we explain the increased (and ridiculous) productivity we have seen?
All I asked for in the OP was for Boomers to show some real love (as opposed to "tough love" to their children and grand-children. Sounds to me like you're doing that. Kudos to you. Actions speak louder than words.
Thank you for kindly engaging me on this topic.
-Laelth