Kevin Duffy on how baby boomers oppose the pro-Palestinian student protests

To have zero empathy for 2 million people in Gaza, two-thirds women and children, having their lives utterly destroyed over the past 6 months is appalling.  At least 1 in 70 Palestinians have died so far.  Let that sink in. 

I am ashamed of my generation.  This is the same generation that grew up with the Vietnam War and the heroic student protests, the same generation that saw the national guard sent in to Kent State where they killed four protesters (Neil Young's "Four Dead in Ohio"). I was 9 years old when that happened. 

Our generation witnessed the government and the establishment for what it was: a criminal organization wrecking lives halfway around the world as well as at home. Now we have BECOME the establishment. "Throw the protesters in jail! Turn on the water cannons!" All you Republicans out there, can't you see the Biden administration is SENDING MORE WEAPONS AND AID TO ISRAEL? This isn't about left vs. right, it's about us vs. the state.

~ Kevin Duffy, Facebook comment, May 9, 2024

Kent State - May 4, 1970

Joe Queenan on why he won't take a cruise with millennials

An interesting thought occurred to me.  Millennials and Gen Xers quite accurately view baby boomers as their economic adversaries.  Retirees like me are stifling the futures of younger generations with our extravagant Social Security benefits.  Yet for some reason young people are enthusiastically signing up for cruises where they will be surrounded by the very cohort they have reason to despise.  Why? 

Let’s just say ocean cruises offer a wonderful opportunity for millennials and Gen Xers to even up the generational score.  There you are, out on the Lido Deck, all set to enjoy the Aurora Borealis, when without warning some vindictive millennial gives you a little nudge in the back.  Splish!  Splash!  Man overboard!

Do I honestly think millennials would do such a cruel and devious thing?  Well, I could hardly blame them.  That’s why I’m keeping my eyes peeled for an all-expenses-paid family cruise invitation from my kids.  I love you guys, but I don’t trust you.

~ Joe Queenan, "I Won't Be Going on Any Cruise Ship With Millennials," The Wall Street Journal, June 28, 2023

Visual Capitalist on U.S. generations and political power

Baby Boomers rank number one when it comes to Political Power. 

Boomers capture 47.4% of political influence. This generation accounts for 32% of all U.S. voters, and holds the majority of federal and state positions. For instance, 68% of U.S. senators are Baby Boomers. 

Political spending on election campaigns and lobbying predominantly comes from Boomers, too. When it comes to money spent on lobbying, we found that 60% of the top 20 spenders were from organizations led by Baby Boomers. 

In contrast, Millennials and Gen Zers barely make a splash in the political realm. That said, in the coming years, it’s estimated that the combined voting power of Millennials and Gen Z will see immense growth, rising from 32% of voters in 2020 up to 55% by 2036.

~ Carmen Ang, "Ranking U.S. Generations on Their Power and Influence Over Society," Visual Capitalist, May 6, 2021

Vasko Kohlmayer on the self-focused Baby Boomer generation

Abundance rarely breeds thrift, modesty or prudence and affluent societies almost always overreach their bounds and means. The plenty creates the illusion that the means are inexhaustible and the ability to do things unlimited. Of even greater concern is the fact which has been often observed that plentitude and easy life tend to breed moral loosening, especially in those who did not have to work for their comforts. People who are born into ease do not need to grapple with the world in order to survive or live well, and as a result they have a surplus of time and energy. Since there is not much to worry about externally, such people tend to direct their attention inward to themselves and become self-focused and self-absorbed. And from there is only a small step toward self-indulgence, self-seeking and selfishness.

Not surprisingly, these qualities became evident across the swathes of the baby boom generation. Perhaps the most cuddled and sheltered young cohort in America’s history, they grew up in the post war boom of prosperity, watched over by their dotting and increasingly affluent parents who sought to insulate their offspring from the hardships of life they had themselves endured during the Great Depression and the War.

Feeling secure from birth, the boomers did not inherit the work ethic, modesty and moral restrain of their parents. Quite the opposite, many of them openly rebelled against it and instead made the satisfaction of their own desires the goal of their lives.

~ Vasko Kohlmayer, "America in Crisis: Correcting the Narrative," LewRockwell.com, July 2, 2020

Time's 1966 Man of the Year

Bill Bonner on how baby boomers transformed the economy

A healthy economy needs forbearance, thrift, savings, patience, discipline - the very characteristics the boomers never had.  Soon, the economy began to reflect the boomer personality: cocksure, short-sighted, in need of immediate gratification, reckless, and self-indulgent.

~ Bill Bonner, Financial Reckoning Day (2003)

Kevin Duffy on the choice for Baby Boomers in the next decade

At some point, the nation's $23 trillion public debt will become unmanageable. As creditors get cold feet, interest payments will swell, forcing discretionary spending to be cut first, half of which is military spending.

In the next decade, Boomers will be forced to choose between Social Security payments and being the world's policeman.

~ Kevin Duffy