You Say You Want a Revolution

 

The ‘Baby Boomers’, born between 1946 and 1964, embarked on the most significant (sans war) national power grab in human history. They’ve dominated American society ever since and are now tightening their grip before passing away, a hold that may choke the nation to death.

While attributing the current state of affairs solely to a generation, especially one crucial to government, business, and culture, is somewhat overly simplistic. Nevertheless, the postwar generation’s influence is evident across various aspects of American life. From music and commerce to technology and religion, Boomers challenged, defined, disabled, delivered, and creatively destroyed everything necessary to silence the Silent Generation and secure their place in the vibrant and assertive twenty-first century.

Raised with television and credit cards, Boomers later pioneered the Internet, World Wide Web, and social networking, connecting the world into a global supply chain. Now, they’re attempting to create a reality-TV time machine to reclaim some of their youthful innocence, which holds the very elements that fueled their childhood revolution. Nostalgia and senility collide.

On a positive note, this generation may be declining in population at a faster rate than anticipated. Factors such as dementia, cancer, obesity, poverty, and waning popularity among younger generations are contributing to a decline in the longevity of the younger Boomers. However, this trend could potentially impact younger generations as well, which may not be entirely negative.

It’s a sobering truth that if everyone over the age of sixty-five were to pass away simultaneously, the nation’s budget would experience a surplus, and the national debt could be eliminated within a decade. That’s right, our extended lifespans are draining the life force from our country.