My Problem with Old People

[GuyFawkes38]

This is a great Washington Post article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102102252.html

The money quote for those under the age of 50:

You need to appeal to the shame and guilt of older Americans by reminding them that their present self-absorption is not a victimless exercise. Only if older Americans act on their rhetorical pledges of worrying about their children will the political climate change. If you -- the young -- don't stand up for yourselves, believe me, your elders and your politicians won't.

Of course, it isn't quite easy for me to get into an argument with my grandparents telling them that their generation spends way too much on health care at others expense (which is why I'm expressing it safely on XH).

BUT IT'S TRUE. The uncomfortable reality is that it doesn't make sense for our country to spend a staggering (and growing) percentage of GDP for those who will likely pass away in a 15-20 year time frame. Instead, those funds should be spent on long term investments (like education, infrastructure, defense, etc...), instead of back surgery or viagra.

The problem is that older people vote more. At the same time, they become more and more disconnected from the public and its problems. Indeed, those over 60 are typically finished raising kids and begin to retire by age 70. No longer do they feel the pains of high taxes or the dismal societal effects of poor public schools.

I don't have a lot of faith in older generations giving up medicare benefits (especially the dismal Baby Boomer generation).

Maybe there should be a maximum voting age.

[wkrq59]

Age 72 and working toward 73...Any objections?

[DAllen15]

Hey, I've done my absolute best to die before my time, but without success so far.

[MADXSTER]

Guy, I don't know about you but some of those public schools you speak of look like the freakin Taj Mahal. When Woodward was put up I Honestly and do mean Honestly thought that P&G bought the property and built a new office complex.

I'm sure they need to be replaced but my understanding is that within the Public School's budget plan, maintenance gets little attention.

[GuyFawkes38]

Age 72 and working toward 73...Any objections?

Ha, no. of course not. I hate baby boomers.

(who will truly ruin the economy unless some serious changes are made (means tested benefits).

[GuyFawkes38]

Wow, ha, yeah, my original post makes me look like an ass. Maybe I could have worded it better.

But it's hard not to look like an ass when you raise these types of problems against strong societal forces.

[GuyFawkes38]

Guy, I don't know about you but some of those public schools you speak of look like the freakin Taj Mahal. When Woodward was put up I Honestly and do mean Honestly thought that P&G bought the property and built a new office complex.

I'm sure they need to be replaced but my understanding is that within the Public School's budget plan, maintenance gets little attention.

Yeah. But let me emphasize that it's not just public schools that will loose out.


If the current trajectory continues, there will be a staggering transfer of wealth and resources from those under 60 to those over.

[X-band '01]

Note to Tardy Turtle - what do you love (in response to Guy's newer take on old people)?

[Cheesehead]

Guy went to public school, it's "lose" not "loose out". Jeezel.

[Emp]

Guy is back, but isnt this a rerun in shortened form of the Hate Boomers thread?

I dont recall hating older people when I was young or middle age. I felt protective and solicitous. I didnt like my parents when they were laying down rules, but other than that loved the old folks then, and now.

The assumption that boomers are narcissistic parasites that have never created wealth, value or prosperity in America is so stereotypical it is ludicrous. Boomers were the grunts and expendable young officers in the V war, for starters. Boomers were the first generation to attend college and grad schools in substantial numbers as well. Boomers are the most generous generation in terms of alumni donations to their alma maters. Boomer researchers devoped life extending drugs, new products, a ton of better products across the quality of life spectrum. Notwithstanding all the anti teacher screes, Boomers went to teaching and raised the bar substantially.

I want Coulter and Rush to follow up the Liberals hate America tracts and rants with "Why Gen-x/y hate Boomers" research.

I'm curious guy...did Boomers teach you at Xavier?