>Is this drawn from the Mike Males generational warfare playbook? What
>is the point of a comparison like this, if not to imply that we
>"overspend" on seniors? Social Security is one of the few aspects of
>the U.S. welfare state that isn't a total disgrace, and Medicare's
>pretty good too. Should we bring that $7 down to $5 just for
>generational equity?
I've been influenced by Males as well, but I wouldn't want to turn this into a generational war. I don't begrudge a cent given to the elderly. As Finnegan pointed out, the reduction of poverty among old people has been a substantial achievement and a worthy goal. However, wouldn't the reduction of poverty among nine-year-olds be an equally worthy goal? What if they had the equivalent of the AARP to back their interests?
If I get cranky about the over-50 crowd, it's because my father has bequeathed to me his own skepticism about their moralizing and self-promotion. I also get tired of this "Greatest Generation" crap, too.
Interestingly, enough, there is a common narrative developing about the latest crop of teenagers. It says that this bunch has grown so disenchanted with the immorality of the past generations, they're returning to the moral tradition of their grandparents. "We want restrictions!" they are crying out. "We want curfews! We want less sex on t.v.!"
Of course, conservatives are picking up this story just in time for a Republican administration. And, of course, the story will mostly cover white suburban youths. In the ghettos, the doors will be continued to be kicked in and the helicopters will continue to fly.
-- David