Stop Bashing Boomers

Recognizing Our Contributions

I was recently listening to Tucker Carlson interviewing two guests on separate occasions, who are from the Millennial generation.  After listening, my blood began to boil as they blamed all of today’s problems on us Baby Boomers.

It's always been trendy to hold the previous generation responsible for society's problems, and recently, the Baby Boomers have become the main target. I’m sure you can write an extensive list of grievances against the Boomers, but have you ever considered listing the positive contributions they've made to society?

As a retired Baby Boomer who lived through the tumultuous times of the 1960s and 70s, it pains me to see my generation often vilified for today's societal issues. I was number eight in the draft lottery during the Vietnam War, and I protested that very war while my friends and I faced the prospect of being sent overseas.

Fortunately, I did not have to go, but I lost friends in that ugly and seemingly, never-ending war.  It's time to stop bashing Boomers and acknowledge the substantial contributions we've made to society.

Honoring the Sacrifice in Vietnam

The Vietnam War was a deeply controversial and divisive conflict. But have you considered the 58,000 men and women who died, and whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.  

Most of these brave souls were Baby Boomers, who gave their lives for our country. Despite the war's unpopularity, their sacrifice should never be forgotten. Many of us who protested the war did so, not out of disrespect for our peers, but from a desire to end the senseless loss of life.

Ending the Draft and Instituting an All-Volunteer Army

Our generation played a pivotal role in ending the draft, a system that forced young men into military service regardless of their personal convictions. Through widespread protests and activism, we, the Boomers, helped shift the United States to an all-volunteer army.

This monumental change ensured that Gen X, Millennials’, and future generations would not be subject to conscription, allowing individuals to choose military service, rather than being compelled into it.

Advocates for Women's Rights

We Boomers were also at the forefront of the women’s liberation movement. We fought tirelessly for gender equality, securing critical advances such as the right to equal pay, increased opportunities in the workplace, and greater representation in politics and leadership roles. The efforts of Boomers, laid the groundwork for the continued fight for women's rights, significantly improving the status of women in society.

Clarifying Medicare and Social Security Misconceptions

There’s a prevalent misconception that Boomers are bankrupting Medicare and Social Security. However, these programs were already in place and being utilized by previous generations before we came of age.

My parents from the Greatest generation, and my grandparents before them benefited from Medicare and Social Security. We have paid into these systems throughout our working lives, just as current workers do. The issues facing these programs are extremely complex and can’t be attributed solely to one generation.

Additional Contributions of Boomers

Boomers have made countless other contributions that have benefited society:

Civil Rights Movement: Many Boomers were deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, working to end segregation and promote racial equality.

Environmental Advocacy: Our generation was instrumental in the early environmental movement, leading to the establishment of Earth Day and significant environmental legislation.

Technological Advancements: Boomers have played key roles in the development and proliferation of technology, from personal computers to the internet.

Healthcare Improvements: Advances in healthcare and medical research have been driven by Boomers, leading to improved treatments and longer life expectancy.

Taking Responsibility for the Present

When we point fingers at Baby Boomers for today's social problems, we should ask ourselves: how many generations back should we go to find blame? Social issues are deeply rooted and have evolved over centuries. If we trace back far enough, we can attribute the origins of many problems to decisions and actions taken thousands of years ago.

However, perpetually assigning blame to the past does little to address the challenges we face today. Each generation inherits both the triumphs and the troubles of its predecessors. While it's important to understand historical contexts, we should recognize our responsibility to address and solve current issues. Blaming past generations is an exercise in futility; instead, we should focus on collaborative efforts to create a better future.

Final Thoughts

While it may be easy to target Baby Boomers as a scapegoat for various societal issues, doing so overlooks the substantial positive impact we’ve had. From fighting for civil rights and gender equality to transforming the military and advancing technology, we have shaped the modern world in numerous beneficial ways.

It’s time to stop bashing Boomers and start appreciating the legacy of contributions we’ve made to society. Rather than dwelling on the past, let's take responsibility for the present and work together to build a brighter future.