I have nothing against old people. I adored my grandparents and I’ll be old some day and I may well be in the same position, but given the demographic shift America is facing and the economic realities we’re now dealing with, the elderly population in America is set to screw you three ways to Tuesday. Here’s how:
They Take Your Jobs – Americans who are approaching what used to be the “normal retirement age” aren’t retiring. They’ve lost all the equity in their homes, their 401(k)s have taken a haircut and they can no longer keep doing cash out refinancings on their homes like an ATM to support their lifestyle …
…Continue Reading 3 Ways Older Americans Are Going to Wreck Your Life
Utter bullshit! Take your jobs? I’ve never taken anything from anyone. If I choose to work a little while longer, that’s between me and my employer. Selling stocks? So what. We can do whatever we want with our legally owned property. Have all the time in the world to vote? I always found time to vote, every election since 1968.
You’re citing your personal situation as being representative of your entire generation. That’s anecdotal bullshit… This is what the aggregate data is showing. Just callin’ it like it is.
Afourth way Darwin….
We’re going to put one in your ass. BECAUSE WE CAN.
Anecdotal???
Your entire article is anecdotal Except for the “study” done by the SF Fed, which itself is built upon a premise. We know how well the Feds “premises” work out, don’t we?
I also voted since 1968. But my candidate, Eugene McCarthy didn’t fare very well.
Let’s hope my 2012 candidate does better.
Anecdotal my fat cracker ass.
We should restrict voting age to roughly 25 to 55 – under 25 and you aren’t mature, over 55 and most people shift their focus to a short term and “I’ve got mine” mentality.
Darwin,
all absolutely true,….consider this:
people in the 50 to 60 year old bracket, are in some cases supporting their elderly parents (they are too old to work), and their children because they can’t find a job, (because it is their dad’s third job to support them!)
social security will evaporate, home equity a thing of the past, inflation in all neccecary commodities, deflation in wages, things will become progressively worse for all sucessive retirees.
hoping to stay healthy and die the morning of my funeral.
don’t turn this into class or generational warfare, we’re all f**kd
Are we trying to make old folks take all the blame? I honestly do not see the younger generation doing anything but sticking their hand out to the goverment, just like the boomers. Allowing the goverment to dictate wwhat the mortgate compaines can do as far as forecolsures” then we have motgage companies taking any advantge they can, leagel or not. With the help of the goverment. Boomers may run things down but their orders and wishs are carried out out by a amoral younger generation prying on anyone they can. this is a system collapse, responability to everyone who does not stand for liberty.
Sorry my i pad is jacked. Don’t have time to fix every mistake. But you get the point.
Not the their needs (seniors) wreck countries but their vote. Take that to the bank !
The admin’s personal story is anecdotal but backed up by a ton of research and data (although not in this article).
Personally, I’d rather see us take it in the nuts now so our kids have some sort of chance at a decent but that requires sacrafice across the board – boomers and all.
I don’t see where the boomers should get to opt out of this – nor should the rest of us.
Our standard of living got way beyond the economic fundamentals and now needs to confirm to reality.
Dave Doe
This isn’t my article. It is Darwin’s.
BBES
My bad. Please substitute Darwin for Admin.
Colma, I know I’m asking for it – but what does BBES mean. Not in urban/internet slang dictionary.
Baby Boomers Eat Shit
Now we need a TBP slang dictionary for people like me – another project for Jim 🙂
Dave Doe: A simple description for a huge problem. BBES.
It’s one thing to make sure that people who can no longer work still have adequate food, decent shelter, and basic medical care.
It’s quite a different thing to make sure that people who magically reach the age of 62 or 65 then get to enjoy a carefree 20+ years of retirement where they grow even wealthier, fly between their summer and winter homes, have to decide between golf and vacationing, and in their discretion support, or not, their children and grandchildren who are handicapped by onerous taxes imposed to ensure that the sacred 65+ group gets huge government handouts AND is protected against any concerns or cares that anyone else might have.
To top it off, the luckiest of those 65+ people get fat and increasing pensions, paid for by sucking the life out of the governments or major corporations they once “worked” for, ensuring that those townships, cities, school districts and aging manufacturers will be crippled for the remainder of their artificial lives, until the whole thing collapses right around the time the golden class are put six feet under.
Sure, I’m painting a slanted picture, but it’s entirely true for many millions of people, and mostly true for millions more.
Persnickety
You just described SSS’ life.
Persnickety, I think you hit the nail on the head. We have enough for our needs but not our wants.
Unfortunately, up until now, the boomers have all been about their wants. They’ll probably need the rest of us to help change that.
Colma, I always admire efficiency of language and thought – even if I can’t understand it at first 🙂
Dave – the irony is that the people who’ve really created, demonstrated, and lived this ponzi model are largely in the “greatest generation” and “silent generation”. Only recently are more than a handful of boomers moving into this category, and like most people who’ve been enviously watching something for a long time, they will be ruthless in defending what they intend to claim as theirs. But anyone under 50, and anyone who wants a future for the USA, needs to put a stop to this, or just find a magic money fountain that will create real wealth without limit so all generations can enjoy the emerald city.
Snicky:
“Sure, I’m painting a slanted picture”
No you aren’t. Very accurate I’d say.
Well, I thought I inserted enough disclaimers and sidebars in there to emphasize that this is not a generational warfare hitpiece; it’s highlighting the demographic, financial and political certainty anyone under 50 (and worsening the younger you are) is facing today. The mainstream media barely touches it and few politicians will even broach the topic.
My mom’s collecting SS and my Dad’s pension. I appreciate that she doesn’t have to work in old age to put food on the table – nor do we have to take care of her financially while trying to raise 3 kids and save an absurd amount to put them through college. BUT, the numbers don’t match now or into the future. There’s a widening gap that needs to be addressed. The first step is recognition.
Oh, and on generations? My generation voted Obama into office. So, enough said…
Persnickety,
Excellent, you are correct. The, I don’t care about anyone but myself attitude, has to stop. The best thing the boomers can do is lead be example and step up. But……it won’t happen. We are morally bankrupt. It is not just the boomers. Sounds like smoe may want to do some cleansing of the eldery. That is inmoral too you know.
This discussion always ends the same way: “Something needs to be done, but no one will do anything.” So there is nothing to see here, keep moving. The situation will be dealt with through currency devaluation, so buy some gold and don’t waste your time and mental energy being mad at anyone.
Admin
I know you were just joking, but for others……………………
My wife and I worked hard and SAVED for what we have. Except for our home mortgage (15 years, which we paid off early before we retired), zero debts our entire lives and that includes car purchases. Zero. If we couldn’t afford to pay for it, we didn’t buy it. And that includes our retirement home, for which we paid in cash. And our children’s education. Paid in full with cash.
And George Carlin would be pleased because we don’t have a lot of “stuff.”
I may technically be a boomer (born 1957) but I am one of those supporting two old poor parents and 2 young adults who are both working but still need help and are both still in school. They are both lucky to have found a job at all. The 19 year old works in a grocery store and doesn’t complain. We’re not hurting so I feel very lucky.
My parents were the ones who did NOT plan for their future because I guess they counted on their children to pick up the slack when the money ran out. My mother has about 6 more years and then she has NO money and NO assets – nothing. House and car already sold and she’s living on that.
It does bother me that my parents never even tried to save any money. My kids all are savers and they’re gonna get screwed anyway because savers get screwed in this country. I feel pretty sad about my childrens’ futures but they have never expected to be taken care of like my parents did. My daughter always talks about how she will take care of me in my old age. I’m trying to see that she doesn’t ever have to do that.
Darwin: my mother did the same thing until she passed away in May. I got her final statement a while back with his contributions(postal service) and the amount of “benefits” they received. Holy Shit BAtman! I agree with your second paragraph 100%.
A tiny partial list of what’s wrong in America;
1) Endless fucking wars costing trillion
2) A huge Free Shit Army … comprised of all age groups
3) A manufacturing base that is a shell of what it once was
4) Politicians who are bought and paid for
5) Corporations who ship hundreds of thousands of jobs overseas
6) Illegal immigration out of conrol
7) The Patriot Act …. symbolizing the loss of liberties
8) Government regulations …. tens of thousands
9) A fasist police state with the largest prison population in the world
10) Drowning in debt
11) Bonus Points: 30 Blocks of Squalor … in more than just Philadelphia
And … so … you want to blame old people for screwing us? Bwaahahahahhaha!!!!
On the one hand you say the article is not a generational hit piece. On the other hand, it is exactly that. You are a master of Doublespeak. You should go into politics. This article may very well be the most ridicules thing I ever read here.
Stucky,
Please point out any inaccuracies or fallacies in the article. It’s reality…
I hereby, yet again, rescind my nomination for Pirate Jo for POTUS, as again, she has back-pedalled on her “Pull The Plug” platform.
Darwin: Don’t be afraid of the blue-hairs and grey bushes…
Destroyers of Worlds! BBES!!!
Pirate Jo – your solution to this issue is very good IF THE RULES DON’T CHANGE. Gee d’ya think that a couple years from now gold will be outlawed or taxed so hard it might as well be outlawed? That could NEVER happen here! (again!) Then what?
I think the Bangles need to get back together and do a catchy song “Going Galt”.
Darwin
Your article is correct in every aspect. It is balanced, factual, and reasoned. And still the Boomers act like you just motherfucked them.
You need to understand Boomers. They aren’t to blame for anything wrong in this country, even though they have held the reins of power for the last 25 years. They want what they deserve. They will blame 20 year old Millenials for the sorry state of affairs today. You need to deal with them in the reasonable manner that I always treat them.
They are the shallowest generation. They couldn’t give a shit about future generations. They won’t sacrifice a dime for the children of today. And these are their best traits.
It will truly be a great day when the last of these fuckers depart the earth.
See. Just reason with them, and they’ll come around.
“Persnickety says:
Dave(I know you didn’t mean me) – the irony is that the people who’ve really created, demonstrated, and lived this ponzi model are largely in the “greatest generation” and “silent generation”.”
1. I get the impression that some on here are angry late Boomers Xers, or Millenials, that are pissed because they won’t “get theirs”.
2. Played by the rules that were there at the time. Sorry.
OK, Darwin.
Let’s start with a question; Where is your proof? I went to your website and read the article. You make statements, that is all, without stats or data.
1) They take your jobs
Look, if that’s true … show me!! Where is the data that shows employers prefer (or, do) hire seniors over non-seniors. Anectdotal mention of Starbucks doesn’t count.
It is my personal (and yes, anectdotal) experience that quite the opposite happens. Employers view older people as “too set in their ways”. Older people tend to speak out more on “how things should be done” … after all, THEY have been around the block a few times. Older people tend to not blindly “follow orders”. And the list goes on, but you get my point.
.
.
2) They’re Selling Stocks, Wrecking Market Returns
Again, is there some real data that; 1) actually shows they sell stocks at a different rate than non-seniors and, 2) even if that’s true, where is the data showing that seniors selling stocks actuall wrecks market returns?
I don’t even know where to begin challenging that idea. My God, there must be a gazillion things that wreck market returns. And you want to lay it on a bunch of old people selling stocks?
.
.
3) Battle for Resources and They Have All the Time in the World to Vote
This one may actually have some legs. Then again, if they are taking all the jobs, plus selling all the stocks … when do they have the time to vote? lol Nevertheless, it’s called “Democracy”. 95% of blacks voted for Obama, as did about 90% of Jews. Evangelicals vote Republican. And so it goes down the line.
So, why pick on old people for voting as a “block” …. which, by the way, you have not provided data that that even happens.
Lastly, why do people complain that voters think about their own needs first? Isn’t that the way it has ALWAYS been? Has there ever been a time where John Q. Public stepped into the voting booth and thought, “Hmmmm. Who should I vote for that will help the other guy rather than me?”. I hardly think so.
.
.
In closing, please note that I attacked the article …. NOT you. I read some of your other articles on your blog and liked them such as the “mortgage calculator” post. It was right on the money.
Peace
Administrator,
Keep motherfucking the boomers.
YOU ARE ONE OF THEM. Denying it does not change the reality.
http://www.bbhq.com/whatsabm.htm
Christ, Stuck, you set him up for the kill and then ruin it with the final paragraph.
What a puss!!!!!!
Smokey
Thank God you’ve survived the terrorist attacks today. Fuck all shallow greedy non-thinking Boomers.
Darwin
This is still my favorite article of all time – THE SHALLOWEST GENERATION
I wrote it in October 2008 and it got 280 comments on Seeking Alpha, mostly from screeching Boomers denying responsibility for their actions.
Denial and blaming are two of their best attributes.
Enjoy
http://seekingalpha.com/article/103202-the-shallowest-generation
Jim are you a self-loathing Boomer? Stop it. Ask Jesus to help you.
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Administrator,
Still waiting for your lame ass rebuttal which will deny,deny,deny.
Facts are facts.
That web site link is called Baby Boomer Headquarters, in case you didn’t notice it.
Do you think they have an agenda, because YOU are included in their, (and MOST people’s), definition of the Baby Boomers?
YOU ARE A FUCKING BABY BOOMER!!!!
TOUGH SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smokey – can you read? We’re talking about the “baby boomer” generation. You posted a website defining what a bm is. I’m sure Jim and most others here know what a bowel movement is, even if some of the older folks like you haven’t had one in weeks. No need to go there.
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I love the smell of Boomer anger,denial and blame in the morning.
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It smells like victory
Smokey,
Not that many things set me off these days. It’s not like the old days when I wanted to kick Jim’s ass for merely calling me an asshole.
I generally want to respect the time and effort a person takes to write a thread, even if I disagree with it. That’s why I used to “defend” RE.
I do have a couple hot issues; 1) 9-11 Truthers, 2) Mary Jane haters, and China Lovers. Other than that I love everyone.
Persnickety
Most of Smokey’s posts are bowel movements.
Boomers really are an angry bunch. So many capital letters and exclamation points.
He is huddled in his bomb shelter awaiting the al queda attack. It must have him on edge.
Persnickety,
You stupid fucking shit, the point of my link was to PROVE to Jim he is a member of the Baby Boomers, which he has repeatedly denied.
He repeatedly denies his inclusion to that club because he has been blaming that group for years for all the woes of America.
He selectively claims that the Boomer generation is defined by an age group bracket that does not include his age.
This denial is a crock of fucking shit, because, as my web link shows, his age IS WITHIN THE AGE GROUP defined as a part of the Boomer Generation.
Did you understand that, you stupid asshole?
Poor Smokey
Foiled again. He must still be smarting from that epic beatdown I applied to his sorry Boomer ass all day yesterday. The quotes of the day are in your honor today.
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Somebody isn’t in a good mood today. Just read a couple chapters of Cheney’s Memoir and you’ll cheer up.
Smokey-
You’re the one who posted a link for “what’s a bm”:
http://www.bbhq.com/whatsabm.htm
Are you a bowel movement by their definitions, or are you some sort of pre-bowel-movement? (Often referred to as constipation, though I suppose a pre-pre- could be an impaction.)
I think we need AWD to provide an expert opinion.
Who does this sound like ? Just saying.
* Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
* Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
* Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
* Requires excessive admiration
* Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
* Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
*Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
Is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her
*Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
DSM-IV Definition of Narcisstic Personality Disorder.
Pernickety
The Boomers have made a bowel movement out of our economy. I’m actually amazed that Smokey was capable of posting a link. Boomers are usually technologically retarded, even though they claim to have invented the internet.
Persnickety,
A far larger number of credible sources indicate that Jim Quinn’s age group DOES INCLUDE his year of birth, than otherwise.
He looks so pathetic lashing out at a generation of citizens which, by most definitions, include his own age.
As far as who prevailed and who sucked on yesterday’s thread, any casual glance of the thumbs and the article content will spell out quite clearly the massive beat down inflicted.
Are you still whining about some mean person thumbing down your puppy dog comments?
Waaaa, mommy, mommy.
Let me go suck Jimmy’s cock on TBP.
I’ll criticize Smokey and maybe Jim will give me an extra two inches.
Persnickety
Boomers aren’t very good at math either. That must be why 75% of them have saved less than $25,000 for their retirement.
Smokey’s delusions of grandeur somehow blinded his vision, as the thumbs up versus thumbs down on yesterday’s epic ball kicking were overwhelmingly in my favor. My statistician Stuck can verify the tally.
His whining and bitching on this thread are truly pathetic. He has clearly lost his mojo. He isn’t the same Smokey. Sad.
I won’t have to pull the plug on anyone. The plug will pull itself. Because even if (okay, WHEN) the Boomers use their political power to try and extract every last drop of blood they can from the younger generations, they will find that the younger generations are too small and unemployed to make a difference. Even if the younger generations wanted to give them every last cent they made, or if they could be forced to, it still would not be enough to take care of all the Boomers.
Administrator,
Who is your chart from? Strauss and Howe?
The guys peddling fairy tales about a fourth turning.
That fucking novel has less credibility than a Rorshach inkblot test. They have accomplished their objective though. Thousands of dupes pay them for that fiction.
Smokey
Should I be expecting a night time terrorist attack?
At 12:01 am I will award you the RE Forecasting Trophy.
Do you want to move the attack to Tuesday?
I understand from Fox News it is a credible threat. What color threat flag do you have flying at your house?