The boomers have lived all their lives above their means, saved too little for too long, and amassed too much personal debt.
They've pushed back having children, abandoned or broke the nuclear family bonds with the children they did have, and now there are literally fewer, and fewer still committed, to take care of them.
They've sold the country to foreign investors through their enlightened cynicism of patriotism and nationalism, and unrestrained consumption for instantaneous gratification.
Their example is being followed by too many of their children and grandchildren.
The longer we wait the more painful it will be. I will be surprised if much of the pain can be forced upon the productive owners/working class by the unproductive retired class in our capitalistic republic.
Unlike the current retirees, the boomers have not been known for frugality.
And you think Bush's two year deficit spending is a disaster?
I don't like the deficits, or more precisely, the debt, but I've seen no evidence that focusing on the deficit to fight tax cuts reduces spending, or the amount of revenue the government takes in taxes.
I think there is a requirement to freeze, if not cut, spending in the social programs, which are growing the fastest and pose the greatest threat. Either by phasing out benefits or at least privatizing them with subsidies. The issue is what is the minimum standard of living the government provided safety net will support. It's hard to look at the unwed, recently divorced, sick, disabled, and elderly (who have often put themselves into dire straights by their own decisions in life) and say no. But we've successfully extended our life expectancy at the same time the demographics won't support the Ponzi structured "pay as you go" social programs. I just don't see any other way over the long term.
"It is my view that what is important is cutting government spending, however spending is financed. A so-called deficit is a disguised and hidden form of taxation. The real burden on the public is what government spends (and mandates others to spend). As I have said repeatedly, I would rather have government spend one trillion dollars with a deficit of a half a trillion than have government spend two trillion dollars with no deficit." (Dr. Milton Friedman, Two Lucky People, pg. 354)But there is a chance the X, Y and Z generations can win an inter-generational war against the boomers.
| Characteristic | Total population | Total citizen | ||||||
| Total citizen | Reported registered | Reported Voted | ||||||
| Number | Percent | 90 percent C.I. (±) | Number | Percent | 90 percent C.I. (±) | |||
| 18 to 24 years | 26,712 | 23,915 | 12,122 | 50.7 | 1 | 8,635 | 36.1 | 0.9 |
| 25 to 34 years | 37,304 | 32,233 | 20,403 | 63.3 | 0.8 | 16,286 | 50.5 | 0.8 |
| 35 to 44 years | 44,476 | 40,434 | 28,366 | 70.2 | 0.7 | 24,452 | 60.5 | 0.7 |
| 45 to 54 years | 37,504 | 35,230 | 26,158 | 74.2 | 0.7 | 23,362 | 66.3 | 0.7 |
| 55 to 64 years | 23,848 | 22,737 | 17,551 | 77.2 | 0.8 | 15,939 | 70.1 | 0.9 |
| 65 to 74 years | 17,819 | 17,233 | 13,573 | 78.8 | 0.9 | 12,450 | 72.2 | 1 |
| 75 years and over | 14,945 | 14,582 | 11,375 | 78 | 1 | 9,702 | 66.5 | 1.2 |
| Younger | 64,016 | 56,148 | 32,525 | 57.9 | 24,921 | 44.4 | ||
| Baby Boomer* | 81,980 | 75,664 | 54,524 | 72.1 | 47,814 | 63.2 | ||
| Older | 56,612 | 54,552 | 42,499 | 77.9 | 38,091 | 69.8 | ||