For the most part Americans have not accepted the fact that we are running on borrowed fumes. We have squandered most of the advantages we had as a country as the boomers squandered their savings. Then we have trouble facing the fact that nobody gives a damn. No accomplishments past, present or future means they (we) get no respect. I say this as the last boomer (born 1963). There will be nothing left when I get old except for what I am able to create myself.
And they'll find a way to take that too.
It is just that they squandered their savings...a lot of folks I know simple lost their wealth and a lot of it in 2008, then lost jobs, then lost, lost, lost. Because the significant portion of the generation didn’t learn to be more than one thing, have more than one career/passion, learn to succeed...and fail.