Is there a difference between a Sputnik Generation and a 'Boomer Generation?'
As a GenXer It was interesting for me to realize that my parents are not, strictly, 'boomers:' born in 1943, they were in their 20s in the early-mid sixties, but in many ways had their outlook and upbringing shaped by by the urban-rural split, wartime/immediate postwar patriotism and hardship... rather than by late-50s early 60s suburbanization and US economic ascendancy. Also interestingly, my 'rebel' parents may not have been rebelling against _their_ parents so much as their uncles and cousins.
The larger point is that there are some very specific and very significant changes in U.S. society and built environment that underpin the 'boomer' world-view: specifically, the interstate, suburban/intentionally-segregated tract housing, and the atomization arising from the climate-controlled car.
"It’s no stretch to say that Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren do not want to share the blessings of an expanded democracy with the generations that came afterward. The ladder was dropped down for them. They climbed it. They pulled it up behind them." Brilliant!
And finally, someone admits that Elijah Cummings was a monster. And Ben Shapiro is a hero, who, along with Diamond and Silk and Milo and Richard Spencer, will save this great Republic (not a democracy!) from the likes of me. Hopefully they can muster the forces necessary to turn back either Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren so those aged, grasping creatures cannot raise the ladder and deprive millions of the opportunities that flowed to them in their privileged lives.
Look, I hate the fact that I sound defensive here, and I really dislike myself for getting angry. There are worse things than being the target of generalized hate, like being the target of generalized hate and having much less social and economic capital than I do, as is the case for African-Americans, immigrants, LGBT folks and too many others. I know I'm lucky and hugely privileged. I've always voted for and worked for candidates (Democrats) who wanted to spread the privilege I've had as a result of being born white, straight and middle class to others not so fortunate. If I lived in your precinct, I imagine we'd cast identical ballots.
I realize the crack about Elijah Cummings is a cheap shot because you rightly excluded African-Americans from the evil Boomers, but it's not entirely off base. After all, Clarence Thomas is a black Boomer who grew up poor, just like Cummings. Is it his age that makes him a monster, or his politics? If it's his politics, and not his age or race that's the problem, then why not oppose his politics instead of his generation? (Jefferson Davis and Abe Lincoln were born in 1808 and 1809, respectively.)
As to the justification for the gross generalization that lumps together Trump, Sanders, Biden, the Clintons, Jeff Sessions, the Obamas, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the evil side of the ledger and Trump's spawn, Ben Shapiro, DeRay McKesson, David Hogg and Greta Thunberg on the good side, I'd like to see the data that shows exactly how many Boomers voted for Repubs and how many for Dems. While I know that a majority (or plurality) of folks over 65 vote for Republicans, how many were born before 1946 (they're not Boomers)? Is it 55-45%? 60-40%? What about Boomers under 65? If millions of Boomers vote the "right" way, how many voting the wrong way does it take for the generalization to be justified? Is there a real difference between someone born in 1965 (Boomer) and 1966 (X)? If not, where do you draw the line -- '67, '68, 69? (Andrew Sullivan, who loved Obama and hated Boomers, decided that Obama was not really a Boomer, even though he was born in 1961, five years after me, as it happens. GW Bush is ten years older than I am.)
Finally, I don't know why declaring a generational war is a better way to save the climate, tighten gun laws, reform government, tax the rich and provide healthcare for all, and all the other things X-er's, Millennials and Z's (and I) want to do than a war where everyone, no matter how old or young, fights for these things together. As noted, I'm privileged, so I have the luxury of having thick skin. No matter how much hate is directed at me, I'm not changing my values. Still, in a war, making allies is always better than making enemies, so maybe drop the generational bashing and welcome everyone who shares your values.
I don't judge you by the age cohort you belong to, which would be pretty ridiculous since I'm a fan of Waldman and Sargent at the Post, who clued me into the EB by linking at the Plum Line, and I probably follow far more non-Boomers than Boomers. I even respect you enough to subscribe to the EB! And I'll renew when the time comes, regardless of whatever slings and arrows you throw my way.
Now, if you'll excuse me, there's some kids on my lawn. But not for long!
Is there a difference between a Sputnik Generation and a 'Boomer Generation?'
As a GenXer It was interesting for me to realize that my parents are not, strictly, 'boomers:' born in 1943, they were in their 20s in the early-mid sixties, but in many ways had their outlook and upbringing shaped by by the urban-rural split, wartime/immediate postwar patriotism and hardship... rather than by late-50s early 60s suburbanization and US economic ascendancy. Also interestingly, my 'rebel' parents may not have been rebelling against _their_ parents so much as their uncles and cousins.
The larger point is that there are some very specific and very significant changes in U.S. society and built environment that underpin the 'boomer' world-view: specifically, the interstate, suburban/intentionally-segregated tract housing, and the atomization arising from the climate-controlled car.
"It’s no stretch to say that Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren do not want to share the blessings of an expanded democracy with the generations that came afterward. The ladder was dropped down for them. They climbed it. They pulled it up behind them." Brilliant!
And finally, someone admits that Elijah Cummings was a monster. And Ben Shapiro is a hero, who, along with Diamond and Silk and Milo and Richard Spencer, will save this great Republic (not a democracy!) from the likes of me. Hopefully they can muster the forces necessary to turn back either Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren so those aged, grasping creatures cannot raise the ladder and deprive millions of the opportunities that flowed to them in their privileged lives.
Look, I hate the fact that I sound defensive here, and I really dislike myself for getting angry. There are worse things than being the target of generalized hate, like being the target of generalized hate and having much less social and economic capital than I do, as is the case for African-Americans, immigrants, LGBT folks and too many others. I know I'm lucky and hugely privileged. I've always voted for and worked for candidates (Democrats) who wanted to spread the privilege I've had as a result of being born white, straight and middle class to others not so fortunate. If I lived in your precinct, I imagine we'd cast identical ballots.
I realize the crack about Elijah Cummings is a cheap shot because you rightly excluded African-Americans from the evil Boomers, but it's not entirely off base. After all, Clarence Thomas is a black Boomer who grew up poor, just like Cummings. Is it his age that makes him a monster, or his politics? If it's his politics, and not his age or race that's the problem, then why not oppose his politics instead of his generation? (Jefferson Davis and Abe Lincoln were born in 1808 and 1809, respectively.)
As to the justification for the gross generalization that lumps together Trump, Sanders, Biden, the Clintons, Jeff Sessions, the Obamas, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the evil side of the ledger and Trump's spawn, Ben Shapiro, DeRay McKesson, David Hogg and Greta Thunberg on the good side, I'd like to see the data that shows exactly how many Boomers voted for Repubs and how many for Dems. While I know that a majority (or plurality) of folks over 65 vote for Republicans, how many were born before 1946 (they're not Boomers)? Is it 55-45%? 60-40%? What about Boomers under 65? If millions of Boomers vote the "right" way, how many voting the wrong way does it take for the generalization to be justified? Is there a real difference between someone born in 1965 (Boomer) and 1966 (X)? If not, where do you draw the line -- '67, '68, 69? (Andrew Sullivan, who loved Obama and hated Boomers, decided that Obama was not really a Boomer, even though he was born in 1961, five years after me, as it happens. GW Bush is ten years older than I am.)
Finally, I don't know why declaring a generational war is a better way to save the climate, tighten gun laws, reform government, tax the rich and provide healthcare for all, and all the other things X-er's, Millennials and Z's (and I) want to do than a war where everyone, no matter how old or young, fights for these things together. As noted, I'm privileged, so I have the luxury of having thick skin. No matter how much hate is directed at me, I'm not changing my values. Still, in a war, making allies is always better than making enemies, so maybe drop the generational bashing and welcome everyone who shares your values.
I don't judge you by the age cohort you belong to, which would be pretty ridiculous since I'm a fan of Waldman and Sargent at the Post, who clued me into the EB by linking at the Plum Line, and I probably follow far more non-Boomers than Boomers. I even respect you enough to subscribe to the EB! And I'll renew when the time comes, regardless of whatever slings and arrows you throw my way.
Now, if you'll excuse me, there's some kids on my lawn. But not for long!