OMG I have been saying this for YEARS

[connieb]

and someone else apparently agrees with me and says it far more eloquently.

I think he interjects a little partisan ship in some places that is unfounded and shows his political bias. But the rest of his analysis is spot on. The baby boomers were the original ME generation. Largely a generation of entitled spoiled brats who had endless possibilities as a result of the struggles and saving and planning for the future their parents and grandparents did. They took all of it and squandred it as largely the integrity berift generation they were, and then passed on much of that - to subsequent generations. And, he is right, the lies and the deceit. An accepted norm of that generation. The wolf of wall street generation. The generation where your word was no longer really your bond.. and the generation that consumed massive upon massive amounts of debt and passed their debt loving ways onto the next generation. People with integrity, pay for what they consume when tehy consume it and services they use, when they use them. People without integrity, defer those things making others pick up their tabs.

Anyway.. good read for those of us X'ers who are saddled between those sociopathic boomers and the millenials.. god help us.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2...ory.html?p1=Article_Recommended_ReadMore_Pos1

 

[as seen on tv]

wait a minute!

is the premise here that "the greatest generation" raised their kids to be selfish losers?

 

[SouthernBoyI]

I can say that many of the boomers truly fuked up.
I on the other hand have squandered nothing and have passed the good traits on to the 5 children who are all gainfully employed and self sufficient.

And Patriotic Americans.

SB

 

[connieb]

wait a minute!

is the premise here that "the greatest generation" raised their kids to be selfish losers?

Indeed they did. They raised a bunch of entitled spoiled brats. Like many they overcompensated form the horrors of war, by over indulging their children. Its not so much that they are "sefish" per say. some of what they whine about where things like civil rights, etc. but you see even that stuff - is a by product of a system that allowed them to do that kind of stuff. They were the first real generation with time on their hands to go somehwere and bitch - not work, travel around.. just "be" and very few of them actually turned into economically productive people. They may have ultimately held jobs, but in stuff like "social work". never actually making any sort of living and acting like money was no big deal - all while financing the things they actually needed money for because while they acted like money was no big deal they weren't actually willing to LIVE like money was no big deal.

The amount of people I have seen over the years - in their 60's - 70's with negative net worth is astounding. I had a client this week. 69 years old.. have me send some stuff to his mortgage broker.. seems he has the need to trade up and buy a bigger house.That is the kind of overall lack of sense these people have.

 

[connieb]

I can say that many of the boomers truly fuked up.
I on the other hand have squandered nothing and have passed the good traits on to the 5 children who are all gainfully employed and self sufficient.

And Patriotic Americans.

SB

My parents are definitely typical boomers complete with the accumulation of debt. They didn't squander persay but definitely bought into the consumer lifestyle which started under that generation. I have had to work very hard to re-train myself.

 

[SouthernBoyI]

I'm a late boomer...(58))
My father is 92 and still kicking...a member and perfect example of the Greatest Geneneration and my mom is also 92 a retired teacher and college professor.

They taught us the good stuff and made me work to earn my spending money.
Started as a paper boy in the 3rd grade and worked from then on .

SB

 

[connieb]

I'm a late boomer...(58))
My father is 92 and still kicking...a member and perfect example of the Greatest Geneneration and my mom is also 92 a retired teacher and college professor.

They taught us the good stuff and made me work to earn my spending money.
Started as a paper boy in the 3rd grade and worked from then on .

SN

My grandparents were actually a much better money influence. My parents have always been really hard working.. but they have also long been interested in the finer things in life. When I was a kid though - they were pretty broke,. My dad was going back to school and changing careers and so there were lots of time of no money at all. Its mostly been in the last 25 years or so their income really took off. I was out of the house 22 years ago.. so I missed most of it. But, they always had a materialistc bent even when they couldn't afford it and really really really always bought into the marketing, etc.

I think the problem generationally is that you have 1/3 like you, responsible hardworking, live within your means, 1/3 useless hipies who never made a dime, or saved a dime and would still rather get high and insist someone else pay for the level of lifestyle they think they are due, and 1/3 who were productive but induced by a lifestyle that they really couldn't afford. The problem is the 2/3 combo of useless hippy and materialistic spend thrift - has created quite a big hole.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

Indeed they did. They raised a bunch of entitled spoiled brats. Like many they overcompensated form the horrors of war, by over indulging their children. Its not so much that they are "sefish" per say. some of what they whine about where things like civil rights, etc. but you see even that stuff - is a by product of a system that allowed them to do that kind of stuff. They were the first real generation with time on their hands to go somehwere and bitch - not work, travel around.. just "be" and very few of them actually turned into economically productive people. They may have ultimately held jobs, but in stuff like "social work". never actually making any sort of living and acting like money was no big deal - all while financing the things they actually needed money for because while they acted like money was no big deal they weren't actually willing to LIVE like money was no big deal.

The amount of people I have seen over the years - in their 60's - 70's with negative net worth is astounding. I had a client this week. 69 years old.. have me send some stuff to his mortgage broker.. seems he has the need to trade up and buy a bigger house.That is the kind of overall lack of sense these people have.

As far as the boomers..

Basically, it was the first generation to "suffer" from First World problems.

You know, the ones you can focus on when you enjoy (and certainly don't have to worry about) the freedoms and protections that the previous generation fought with blood and sacrifice for, and what nearly the entire rest of the world would die to have.

Now, in 2017..

"OMG that white guy just elbowed me in the subway! It couldn't have been accidental, I'm a victim of a hate crime! Go get his picture, I'll call the police!"

Like really? You got elbowed. It didn't even hurt. It could have been accidental. Suck it up buttercup, and go do something productive.

 

[connieb]

As far as the boomers..

Basically, it was the first generation to "suffer" from First World problems.

You know, the ones you can focus on when you enjoy (and certainly don't have to worry about) the freedoms and protections that the previous generation fought with blood and sacrifice for, and what nearly the entire rest of the world would die to have.

I have said many times that our "problems" here are becuase life is just too easy.

You don't have time to worry about who is using what public bathroom when you have to work so you can eat that evening. But, when yo uwill eat regardless - and eat very well judging by many of the freaks who protest that sort of thing... then you have time to run your pie hole.

Which is honestly goes back to the boomers.. the first generation who could afford go go make a fuss ( hippies) because they didn't have to worry about feeding themselves.

Idle hands to do the devils work.. and it is very very true. When you get to rest on your laurels and are no longer interested in being the best - for the sake of being the best - teh strongest for the sake of being the strongest, the most technologically advanced just for the sake of it, AND you no longer actually have to worry about how you will eat- you find things - to stress about and create problems or get into trouble.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

Idle hands to do the devils work.. .

Agreed.

Not only that, but digging maniacally for injustices in every sidewalk crack is quite simply unproductive and not good for society.

A society needs productive individuals. This millennial generation is certainly the least productive in history.

 

[SouthernBoyI]

And talk about being in titled.....

If they were half as intelligent as they thought they were...

I like to break out my 3rd grade school work to show them that they didn't receive that type work until the 8 th grade....
Generally shuts them up...

SB

 

[connieb]

Agreed.

Not only that, but digging maniacally for injustices in every sidewalk crack is quite simply unproductive and not good for society.

A society needs productive individuals. This millennial generation is certainly the least productive in history.

The millenials largely are. The GenXers are the ones who are currently stuck dealing with their parents excesses which is why I think it is finally sinking in for most of us. Millenials are still by and large insulated from that. And they are the products of the younger boomers so their parents poor choices haven't hit home for them yet and they are still in the blissful ignorant state of the unaware.

I work with a millenial. His parents are successful and his inlaws are successful and their parents were also successful. So, as a result - he can move to a new city without a job, etc. because the car he drives at 28 paid for by mom and dad. The house they rented - below market rent - family home, the travel costs - paid for mom and dad. The trips they take.. paid for by mom and dad.

Sure you don't need to work a whole lot or worry about who is paying the bills when mommy and daddy will just step in and give help when they want it. The "Millionaire Next Door" refers to this as "economic outpatient care" and I totally love that term.

In reality a lot of boomers - got EOC from their parents.. and then in turn have done so for their kids. Millenials getting the most of it and as a result... being the most accepting of it...

I would have been ashamed to ever ask for economic help from my parents. But millenials think nothing of it. Sad future for our country.

 

[connieb]

And talk about being in titled.....

If they were half as intelligent as they thought they were...

I like to break out my 3rd grade school work to show them that they didn't receive that type work until the 8 th grade....
Generally shuts them up...

SB

Of course they think they are smart.. they have been told they are so wonderful since they were born. So smart, so talented, so whatever.. that they are generally .. not...

 

[bdtex]

I'm a late boomer...(58))
My father is 92 and still kicking...a member and perfect example of the Greatest Geneneration and my mom is also 92 a retired teacher and college professor.

They taught us the good stuff and made me work to earn my spending money.
Started as a paper boy in the 3rd grade and worked from then on .

SB

Same here,except the paper boy. Had other jobs.

 

[Queen Titania]

and someone else apparently agrees with me and says it far more eloquently.

I think he interjects a little partisan ship in some places that is unfounded and shows his political bias. But the rest of his analysis is spot on. The baby boomers were the original ME generation. Largely a generation of entitled spoiled brats who had endless possibilities as a result of the struggles and saving and planning for the future their parents and grandparents did. They took all of it and squandred it as largely the integrity berift generation they were, and then passed on much of that - to subsequent generations. And, he is right, the lies and the deceit. An accepted norm of that generation. The wolf of wall street generation. The generation where your word was no longer really your bond.. and the generation that consumed massive upon massive amounts of debt and passed their debt loving ways onto the next generation. People with integrity, pay for what they consume when tehy consume it and services they use, when they use them. People without integrity, defer those things making others pick up their tabs.

Anyway.. good read for those of us X'ers who are saddled between those sociopathic boomers and the millenials.. god help us.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2...ory.html?p1=Article_Recommended_ReadMore_Pos1

Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves. -D.H. Lawrence

 

[connieb]

Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves. -D.H. Lawrence

Prophetic.

 

[Queen Titania]

Prophetic.

This is not the first time - it is the pattern.

 

[connieb]

This is not the first time - it is the pattern.

I suppose it is, I have just never really looked at it in terms of generationally before.

It is clear though throughout time what happens is there is a society born out of warriors, then the subsequent generations become complacent and entitled and lazy.. and they are beat into submission - by the next group of warriors to come along.

The amount of ineptitude, laziness and entitlement in western civiliation is mind boggling to me. The amount of pusses that don't even know how to change a tire.. GROWN MEN who can not change a tire, its craziness. These are practical life skills. And, we have people who can not do them.. because there has always been someone else to call.

I had words with a co-worker the other day because I had asked them to do something and they didn't do it and their excuse was they didn't know how. UM FIGURE it out. For the love of God you have Google at your finger tips. But, in what world.. is " i don't know" or I can't an acceptable response. what happens if you need to do something and NO ONE knows how? But that is it, they hit a wall and instead of thinking.. hmmm how can I get over, around or under this wall they say.. well.. there is a wall.. so.. um... i'll just wait for someone more competent to come along. Fvcking useless fvckers.

 

[as seen on tv]

Indeed they did. They raised a bunch of entitled spoiled brats. Like many they overcompensated form the horrors of war, by over indulging their children. Its not so much that they are "sefish" per say. some of what they whine about where things like civil rights, etc. but you see even that stuff - is a by product of a system that allowed them to do that kind of stuff. They were the first real generation with time on their hands to go somehwere and bitch - not work, travel around.. just "be" and very few of them actually turned into economically productive people. They may have ultimately held jobs, but in stuff like "social work". never actually making any sort of living and acting like money was no big deal - all while financing the things they actually needed money for because while they acted like money was no big deal they weren't actually willing to LIVE like money was no big deal.

The amount of people I have seen over the years - in their 60's - 70's with negative net worth is astounding. I had a client this week. 69 years old.. have me send some stuff to his mortgage broker.. seems he has the need to trade up and buy a bigger house.That is the kind of overall lack of sense these people have.

that's POSSIBLY true. But here is an alternative viewpoint to consider.

My grandparents (the greatest generation, who raised their boomer kids which spoiled us), lived through the great depression, defeated both hitler and imperial Germany, and (mostly) brought equality of opportunity to minorities in America.

My grandfather and grandmother lived in a handbuilt wood cabin, with a wood furnace and wood stove during the depression. He cut wood and sold it door to door in a horse drawn cart to earn the money to buy what they make themselves.

My parents (boomers) did have it better. Waaaay better. but that's not a problem. It's a reason for celebration. The fact that boomers weren't living hand to mouth, and did as much as THEY could for their kids isn't the reason we have problems in America today.

rather, those problems are likely more attendant to:

• a huge increase in drug and alcohol use, fueled by a "bread and circuses" political system and media
• schools where teacher compensation has more than doubled in real, inflation adjusted dollars, but student performance lags - by every measure - what took place in pre-war classrooms
• the local burger place is no longer staffed by our neighbors kids, providing them with entry level job experience. its operated by illegal aliens who don't barely English and demand a permanent living wage, as if flipping burgers was a job which could EVER support a family.
• Social services agencies make every attempt to keep "at risk kids" with dysfunctional parents - sometimes single parents - rather than removing them from harms way (drugs and weapons) to the safety of foster homes or orphanages.
• Immigrants who don't desire to be assimilated, and adopt Americas values. Rather, they boldly proclaim their intent to topple the constitution and replace it with sharia, or demand the politics of racial identififcation/representation at all levels of government (in the voting booth) as if ethnicity was a surer path to excellence than ideas and hard work.

I'm hard pressed to say how my (boomer) parents created these problems. This situation came about through government relaxing the standards and expectations for personal behavior, and throwing huge amounts of money at things that aren't government's business anyway.

 

[connieb]

that's POSSIBLY true. But here is an alternative viewpoint to consider.

My grandparents (the greatest generation, who raised their boomer kids which spoiled us), lived through the great depression, defeated both hitler and imperial Germany, and (mostly) brought equality of opportunity to minorities in America.

My grandfather and grandmother lived in a handbuilt wood cabin, with a wood furnace and wood stove during the depression. He cut wood and sold it door to door in a horse drawn cart to earn the money to buy what they make themselves.

My parents (boomers) did have it better. Waaaay better. but that's not a problem. It's a reason for celebration. The fact that boomers weren't living hand to mouth, and did as much as THEY could for their kids isn't the reason we have problems in America today.

rather, those problems are likely more attendant to:

• a huge increase in drug and alcohol use, fueled by a "bread and circuses" political system and media
• schools where teacher compensation has more than doubled in real, inflation adjusted dollars, but student performance lags - by every measure - what took place in pre-war classrooms
• the local burger place is no longer staffed by our neighbors kids, providing them with entry level job experience. its operated by illegal aliens who don't barely English and demand a permanent living wage, as if flipping burgers was a job which could EVER support a family.
• Social services agencies make every attempt to keep "at risk kids" with dysfunctional parents - sometimes single parents - rather than removing them from harms way (drugs and weapons) to the safety of foster homes or orphanages.
• Immigrants who don't desire to be assimilated, and adopt Americas values. Rather, they boldly proclaim their intent to topple the constitution and replace it with sharia, or demand the politics of racial identififcation/representation at all levels of government (in the voting booth) as if ethnicity was a surer path to excellence than ideas and hard work.

I'm hard pressed to say how my (boomer) parents created these problems. This situation came about through government relaxing the standards and expectations for personal behavior, and throwing huge amounts of money at things that aren't government's business anyway.

Yes, and the Govt that relaxed those standards were the boomer generation and the pressure they put on their parents. Its not necessarily how they raised their kids, its how they shaped the political system and the standards of behavior. The point of the linked article was that yes, that all happened and that is why - but it came about because of the boomers and their philosophies. Not just their bad parenting. ETA - they were in a position to have the philosopies, etc that they do have as a result of having a life of relative ease though and that is where that part comes into it.