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Study: Baby Boomers Are Gloomiest Generation
WNBC ^

Posted on 07/12/2008 8:49:48 AM PDT by Sub-Driver

Study: Baby Boomers Are Gloomiest Generation

POSTED: 9:01 am EDT July 12, 2008 UPDATED: 9:42 am EDT July 12, 2008 NEW YORK -- A new study by the Pew Research Center found 66 percent of baby boomers find it harder to get ahead now than in 1998. It also found that 86 percent say it's harder to maintain their standard of living than just five years ago. We talked to boomers in Brooklyn.

"There just seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel."

As they approach their golden years, baby boomers like Ros Aaron are worried -- not just about their own futures, but about their kids'.

"I don't know what's gonna be for them," Aaron said. "Jenna's graduating in four years. At least Leanna has eight years before she has to worry."

She's far from alone. The study found that 66 percent of boomers find it harder to get ahead now than in 1998 -- more frustration than any other age group.

And 86 percent of baby boomers say it's harder to maintain their standard of living than just five years ago.

"We asked a lot of questions," said D'vera Cohn of the Pew Research Center. "Are they satisfied? Will their income go up? And they said, 'No it won't'."

(Excerpt) Read more at wnbc.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: babyboomers; depression; genx; happiness; pew; psychology; seniors
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To: Sub-Driver

I’m a baby boomer. I’ll be 55 exactly one month from tomorrow.

Can I sign up for free handouts yet?

*****sarc*********


21 posted on 07/12/2008 9:46:55 AM PDT by jsh3180
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To: Sub-Driver

Boomers are gloomy because they have the pre-Ted Kennedy/Jimmy Carter/John McCain/Harry Reid/Nancy Pelosi/George Bush years as a reference point and comparison to today’s Lib/Rino Politically Correct, pandering, socialist, one-world-wannabe nanny state.

When we see the freedoms, traditions and culture of America that politicians have already destroyed and what lies in wait with politicians like Reid, Pelosi, McCain, Obama and the myriad of under-qualified replacements waiting their turn to slop at the trough it is difficult not to be gloomy sometimes.

America now has “leadership” scrapped off the underside of the bottom of the barrel with no relief on the horizon.


22 posted on 07/12/2008 9:50:00 AM PDT by Iron Munro (Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.)
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To: Dutch Boy
Wash your mouth out with soap.
I'm sure you meant to say ... pinko-commie Lib boomers will invent one.
23 posted on 07/12/2008 9:50:39 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: inkling

All ya gotta do is look where they took the survey. BROOKLYN! Guaranteeeeeed to be Dems. Nough said.


24 posted on 07/12/2008 9:50:58 AM PDT by biff
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To: jsh3180

Hey you could have signed up at 50.....AARP and other senior discounts.


25 posted on 07/12/2008 9:54:30 AM PDT by ThisLittleLightofMine
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To: Iron Munro
When we see the freedoms, traditions and culture of America that politicians have already destroyed and what lies in wait with politicians like Reid, Pelosi, McCain, Obama and the myriad of under-qualified replacements waiting their turn to slop at the trough it is difficult not to be gloomy sometimes.
There it is - good call. I would also add the communists on the Supreme Court. I truly fear for this country's freedom.
26 posted on 07/12/2008 9:56:23 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Scotswife

There is a big difference between baby boomers and our grandparents.. My grandmother also went thru the depression. Americans today really do not know what hunger, being without and survival is. We are spoiled, myself included. My grandmother was not a waster. She recycled everything. Times were hard all her life. When she was in her 70-80s she still worked for Goodwill. She didn’t make much money but she was around “bargins” I never, once heard her complain about her life though. She would tell me stories but more in the way of reporting than how bad she had it. Several times when I would whine about how hard things were she would sternly tell me to toughen up. No complaing allowed around her.


27 posted on 07/12/2008 9:56:37 AM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: CindyDawg

I can identify with you memories, I am not much of a whiner partly do to Grandma living with us. It is what it is....deal with it and be content in all things. Being grateful for what you have.


28 posted on 07/12/2008 9:58:45 AM PDT by ThisLittleLightofMine
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To: Sub-Driver

First thing needs to happen is to turn off the G#$#!*@d cable and network news. And then stop reading the NY Times, WaPo, LATimes, et al. The Drive-By Media has managed to convince a large segment of the US populace of how ‘bad’ things are. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.


29 posted on 07/12/2008 9:59:21 AM PDT by abb (Watergate was a Drive-By Media coup d'etat. )
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To: ThisLittleLightofMine

Uh huh. I’m a baby boomer too but I can’t relate with them. I’m kind of an odd one I guess.


30 posted on 07/12/2008 10:01:11 AM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: Sub-Driver

It’s discouraging that the portion of our retirement portfolio that was invested in stocks has had substantial losses over the past year. But we are confident that the stock market will come back and in the meantime we’re just going to work harder and longer to make sure the money is there for retirement.

We feel blessed that we like our jobs and are healthy enough to continue doing them for many years to come, if we want.

Others who may not like their jobs and are counting the days until retirement or are in ill health may have a gloomy outlook. But if you like your job and have your health, keep on keepin’ on and thank the Lord.


31 posted on 07/12/2008 10:01:48 AM PDT by randita
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To: inkling

it’s a nation thats being attacked constantly with propaganda about how bad we are,how racist we are,how greedy,lazy,etc, because we got a republican president,it’s always been that way,far as I know. The barrage of negative garbage and lies has grown into a syndrome, maintained by the media,supported by our educational and government institutions and financed by foreign entities,especially old soros


32 posted on 07/12/2008 10:07:44 AM PDT by coalman (type to slow to be relevant,but I try)
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To: dolphins
Let’s see - if you’re involved in the stock market, traveling Europe, buying gas, buying food, looking at your electricity bill and your career is over I don’t think this is what most people would call whining.

A war for oil? $5 gasoline? A tanked stock market? For all these things, thank the Boomers who prevented nuclear plants from being built across America and Europe.

33 posted on 07/12/2008 10:14:41 AM PDT by BlazingArizona
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To: Sub-Driver

It’s a pathetic generation, with notable exceptions.

The current batch, with all its flaws, sure is doing a fine job in Iraq.


34 posted on 07/12/2008 10:26:35 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Bomb, Bomb. Bomb! Bomb bomb Iran! Bomb. Bomb. Bomb! Bomb bomb Iran!)
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To: BlazingArizona

I’m pretty excited about paying into Social Security -— maxed out a few months ago -— although under Obama, I apparently will have to keep paying -— and I WON’T GET A PENNY.

Social Security has turned into a wealth transfer from the productive to the unproductive -— just like every other gubmint give-a-way.


35 posted on 07/12/2008 10:30:45 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Bomb, Bomb. Bomb! Bomb bomb Iran! Bomb. Bomb. Bomb! Bomb bomb Iran!)
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To: CindyDawg

yes - it always helps when you are reminded of their hardships to put your own “complaints” in perspective.

I’ve been whining alot lately about my upcoming winter heating oil bills.
But even that doesn’t come close to what our grandparents suffered.


36 posted on 07/12/2008 10:37:13 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: TheThirdRuffian
Well my mom and dad depend on their SS checks. They worked hard and depended on it for retirement so I don't mind helping to pay for theirs. I do think we need to cut it off for those that are young enough to plan otherwise. Maybe no more SS for those 40 and younger but we all have to pay SS tax for 20 more years or something like that.
37 posted on 07/12/2008 10:44:15 AM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: CindyDawg

Sure, something -— understanding we created a problem and can’t leave older people in a lurch.

I have maxed out on SS contributions since leaving the military.

Everytime I use on the the “check your rate of return” calculators, I get a negative return! I would do WAY better in a passbook savings account, let alone letting me roll it into my own business.

Oh well, what’s $30K a year or whatever it is, but my kids’ college education going to help people who vote Democrat (I pay the “match” -— as everyone does, but doesn’t see it on their pay check.)


38 posted on 07/12/2008 10:57:51 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Bomb, Bomb. Bomb! Bomb bomb Iran! Bomb. Bomb. Bomb! Bomb bomb Iran!)
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To: Incorrigible; qam1; ItsOurTimeNow; PresbyRev; Fraulein; StoneColdGOP; Clemenza; m18436572; ...

Xer Ping

Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.

Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.  

39 posted on 07/12/2008 11:01:08 AM PDT by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
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To: Sub-Driver

Sadly the BB’s were, spoiled, pampered, protected, and given everything by the Greatest Generation and with their [BB’s] aging SHAME and self-reliance slowly but surely vanished into history.


40 posted on 07/12/2008 11:01:12 AM PDT by PISANO
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