Posted on 09/02/2003 6:17:04 AM PDT by tcostell
They had their childhood in the 50's and remembered it as a time of unambiguous innocence.
They had their adolescence in the 60's when they decided that their parents view of hard work and respect for family were "antiquated" ideas that no longer should apply in this age of social awareness. They preached free love while they spouted hate and burned the symbol of their country and called those who were risking their lives for them "baby killers". "Private property" became dirty words to them. Crime soared, many fathers were replaced by the government.
In the 70's they left college and got jobs, but the adolescence continued. They now had more money to buy stronger drugs, and indulge in more exotic means of gratification. Those that did marry gave up on the idea, and divorce rates climbed. They called it a journey to "find themselves" but they were already utterly devoted to their own egos. They even went so far as to name themselves the "me" generation. They replaced the minister with the psychologist, and the community with cultural awareness groups.
In the 80's the myth of socialism finally died, and with it also, their already threadbare pretense of caring about anyone but themselves. The ideas of family and community had been trampled under the feet of the proletariat. In the 80's it became about obtaining wealth, and the rules be damned. Excess was still the preferred flavor, but with age beginning to take it's toll it became external excesses rather than the sex and drugs of the last 2 decades. Conspicuous consumption was the new trend and exercise became the fashion in an attempt to hold back the tide of time.
In the 90's they elected their king, and filled the corridors of power with their number, but it turned out that the emperor's new robe was a stained blue dress. They told each other lies about the "new business cycle" and picked each others pockets. They put off till tomorrow everything they could so they could have one last moment of ego gratification. The band played as the new millennium rolled in. But then there came a day when everyone knew that the party was over. The markets stopped pretending everything would go on forever, and the World Trade Center came crashing down.
I'm a part of the generation that has followed along behind the baby boomers paying the bill. No one asked me if I wanted to, (in fact they still never ask me) they simply present the bill and await payment. I was bussed to public school as a child, turned down from ivy league colleges while my friends with worse performance were accepted in deference to affirmative action. I was taught to fear aids and other diseases when I was laid off in the 80's, and watched my savings and stock options turn to so much wallpaper in the 90's. Worst of all, I lost lifelong friends in the World Trade Center, and my wife still has nightmares about how close I came to being there myself. I've grown accustomed to the idea that although I've paid vast sums into social security, it won't be there for me. It was never "for me" anyway. And now that age is upon them they would like me to pay for their medical care as well. Even if it costs me everything I have. Even if it's long gone but still being paid for by my 3 year old daughter.
I know it will probably happen. The baby boomers are arguable the most short sighted and self interested generation that America has ever seen but they are in the majority so there is no-one to stop them. I'm even certain they will come up with some grand rationalization about why I should be thrilled to pay the bill for them one more time. But it won't really be for me... it never is.
In the meantime I'll care for my family with whatever is left. The schools have failed so my wife and I will teach our daughter ourselves in our own home if we have to. We'll make room for both my parents and my in-laws when they can't afford the property taxes needed to live alone anymore. We'll make our family the center of our universe because the family works better than all the government run pipe dreams that the die hards keep trying to sell. They can take everything I have but my self reliance.
We were landless peasants once, and may well be again before the "most spoiled generation" is through, but we'll survive it. And when they finally leave, we'll build the country again. Not as a collective "workers utopia", but as a place where no man is saddled with the burden of another, that he does not willingly take upon himself. Family is the best reason to shoulder a burden. Even community can be a good reason sometimes ...if the links are close enough. But it should be asked for not ordered. And the government can only order.
I don't ever need to be on the receiving end of government largess. I would just like to see the generation that precedes me to pay their own way for once. I'll carry my own water... and I think they should do the same.
There is indeed a most shameful display of childish sniping and insanity. But, heh; I didn't write this "rant", some "Xer" did. Let him know how sensitive you are to these things.
(or is this a recently gained sensitivity?)
Now, I don't think you are a liberal, anymore than you think I am. You just don't object to using their insult/blame others strategies.
You were brave enough in your "rant". Be brave now.
To what end. What was this "rant" for?
The major purpose seems to have been to piss people off. Gratuitous, false and stupid insults are pretty good for achieving that effect.
We could pick it apart, dumb statement by dumb statement, but hopefully others have done that already on the thread.
Or is it necessary?
However, let's not forget that it was the Boomers (I served in the Army from 76-84) who plunged the final dagger into the Soviet Union (under the leadership of Ronaldus Maximus), and gave Bill Clinton the so-called Peace Dividend, which he promptly squandered.
Intergenerational conflict has gone on for centuries, why should today be any different? It's easy to poke fun at other generations, but when it comes to this type of argument, I think everyone's residing in a glass house.
BTW jimt, nice little rant, and totally on the money!
First, I am somewhat surprised and glad to see such a large number of self-professed 'Gen-X' posters here on Free Republic. I am glad it not all of us 50+ folks.
Next, I am truly saddened by the bitterness and hate being expressed by the self-professed "Gen-X" group towards what are their 'parental figures', the "Boomer Generation." Having lived thru the 50's & 60's it is eerily reminiscent of the intra-family fueds that occurred then.
Since I was born in 1950 I guess I am on the Boomer side of the coin. Hell, we have done a few things right. The sun still comes up and sets each day...so far. IMHO you should realize how petty your complaints are. You are damn fortunate you to be born and alive here in America. You quibbles are small compared to those in other countries.
And one more thing..."We were landless peasants once,..." <~~~~~Whats this all about?
And one more thing..."We were landless peasants once,..." <~~~~~Whats this all about?
What goal was sought by too much insult?
What did you accomplish, and why was that desired?
(you have been bravely clear, be so again)
I think you should make up with your kids or address whatever else has gotten you so upset because only someone with a serious emotional problem could still be so worked up about a few lines of text that I wrote months go. And I think your time would be better spent addressing the real problems in your life instead of going on and on incessantly about how little you think of me.
You mis-understood what I wrote, and I have neither the time nor inclination to spend the energy neccesary to make you understand when you are so determined not to. Grow up, and get over it. Quit behaving like a child.
To invite me to join in pretending that I have been the only one offended is so ludicrous as to be insulting.....again!!
Your intent was to insult. Mission accomplished. Don't beat a dead horse.
"You mis-understood what I wrote, and I have neither the time nor inclination to spend the energy neccesary..."
You poor misunderstood child. You had time to deride. Convenient that you have no time to defend your insult. Wuss.
You were abundantly clear in your insult. You hammered home that insult over, & over adnauseum. The thing about humans....when you insult them, they get upset. Not only can you count on it, you went fishing for it.
Well here I am, you whining little pup. You desired to piss me off, and succeeded.
Is this what I should expect from your heralded generation? To cringe & hide behind word-games? To whine like a liberal that you have been misunderstood?
For Gods sake, be a man. You intentionally hurled insult, and labored to offend. Success!! Congratulations!!
Now that you have created this anomous, what will you do with it? Tuck tail and run? What? Why?
I brief scan of this threads' first page shows you apologizing three times for offending others. Three times!!
Now, you pretend no one else was offended. What a friggin coward! Is your entire generation filled with liars, insults, & cowards?
Your "rant" summarized. Of course, it sounds very intelligent when you do it. That's different though, right?!!
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