Baby Boomers Don't Deserve Retirement?

right or privilege of retirement

Not many people look at facts...more than anything they talk and act with emotion. Of course baby boomers "deserve" to retire. Now the question because "why?" The answer, in my mind, is that, as most adults (working adults) baby boomers have put their hard work into maintaining the existence of the structure (be it militatry, economics, social or whatever) of this society. And, even when these persons receive a wage (a not a very good wage becasue they can't live on it let alone "save" on it or "build a portfolio") they have still been the millions of people who have contributed to America's stature in the global world. Should they be compensated for that BEYOND a paycheck that just keeps them going to the job to pay the bills? I believe so. It may not be in the constitution but lets face it, the formers of the constitution had people working for them and believed in paying workers as little as possible so that they could keep themselves (and their progeny) on top. I grant you also that it was not in the Bill of Rights and primarily for the same reason given above. But, we have moved, (I hope) pass the notions of "servitude to the elite" and should "honor" those who have maintained our civil exitence by providing their energy and expending their streghts and talents to keep America fucntioning at her optimum best. Or, all workers can just stop working now, to promote the wealthy who will retire off their sweat, sit back and eat foods grown with their own hands, get water from natural springs, and live in makeshift houses. Both will suffer but I guarantee you that the condition of the structure of America will suffer far more.

Khalilah of IN @ Sep 05, 2008 13:58:58 PM

Dumb comment

That's a ridiculous statement. If I don't "deserve" to retire, then kindly return all the money you deduct from my paychecks.

fern of CT @ Aug 26, 2008 12:59:41 PM

To Neo-conned in IA

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Jake in Salt Lake of UT @ Aug 25, 2008 01:04:57 AM

Deserve It Or Not People Today Eventually Must Retire

Retirement is actually a fairly new concept, historically speaking. Prior to the industrial revolution, most worked as long as they were physically able. Then they just keeled over and expired. Today, retirement has become part of the American dream, like owning a McMansion and driving a fancy car.

However, the ultra-high standards of living that people achieve today using credit cards and other types of credit are based on the assumption that they have an unlimited future during which they’ll tighten their belts and pay all the borrowed money back. If you live that way (and almost everyone in the U.S. has at one time or another), you have to realize you can’t continue to do so in retirement unless you become rich, and that’s unlikely.

The keys to a successful retirement haven't changed: save more and spend less while you're working and find a retirement lifestyle that will fit your budget. Most of us won't retire rich but that doesn't mean we can't retire happy.

Jonathan Edelfelt

Author of Who Said You Need Millions? Retirement Strategies for the Rest of Us

www.WhoSaidYouNeedMillions.comm

Jonathan Edelfelt of TX @ Aug 24, 2008 16:07:12 PM

Boomers Retire?

If there is a problem with boomer retirment, don't blame it on the Goverment! Our tax policy is the 2nd worst in the world for Companies resulting in American jobs being exported! Want to fix it? Implement the FAIR TAX PLAN. That plan does not tax work, profits, or savings! It taxes retail consumption only and is revenue neutral to the Federal Goverment.

And those illegal citizens, the underground economy, and 50 million tourists will be paying taxes under the FAIR TAX PLAN. Every legtitimate citizen will get a monthy prebate of about $170 a month to pay tax on essentials up to the poverty level.

American EXPORT prices will fall 22% due to elimination of hidden tax on our existing exports. No more filing income tax returns! Sound good? Learn more at www.fairtax.org

who806 of TX @ Aug 24, 2008 07:43:16 AM

Whoever wrote that article is an idiot

Whoever wrote that article is an idiot. If I had the option to put my social security payment (and I am not even including my employers match) in a growth fund, I would have been able to retire comfortably by age 55. Now that the govt took my retirement from me, I'll have to work until I am 70 most likely.

Its not that I didn't saye - I saved 6.2% per year + some more, but the govt took my retirement money (6.2%) from me and didn't invest it - they spent it instead. All the while they don't have to pay into the system for their own retirement - no, they have another plan that is much better than social security - what a bunch of thieves.....

Argyle of TX @ Aug 23, 2008 22:50:37 PM

Baby Boomers Don't Deserve Retirement?

If we are talking about the leisure based post-career life, none of us, boomers or otherwise, deserve to be retired that way. It speaks of self-centered insignificance.

Our experience, talents, wisdom and resources are needed in society. What we most deserve is a balanced later life where recreation, leisure, lifetime learning and work (paid or not, part time or not)combine to provide a life that matters.

Howard of FL @ Aug 23, 2008 14:05:12 PM

pfffft

The american people are being taken for a ride SO badly. The Federal Reserve is counterfiting money to pay for the largesse like corporate welfare (bailing out fannie/freddie/ the banks/and quite possibly the big 3 automakers/farm subsides)as well as giving illegal aliens welfare/social security AND having a huge military empire overseas that brings nothing but enmity towards our country in the form of terrorist attacks etc.

The Federal Reserve IS the cause of the booms and the busts and the inflation. Too many Americans have no idea what money is or where it comes from so they never demand their representatives commit squarely and unequivocally to these questions.

Do you believe Congress should exercise its sovereign power as provided in the Constitution of the United States to create money and regulate the value thereof and control the circulating medium in the interest of the whole people?

Or do you believe that Banking Corporations should issue a credit substitute and through it control the money and circulating medium of exchange of the people of the United States in their own interest?

Watch your presidential candidate carefully and see that he commits himself clearly on this vital question. It will be a true test of his honesty and fitness for office. Admitted ignorance on the monetary issue should not excuse him. The subject is as old as our government, and if he does not know enough about it now to answer these test questions, he is not qualified to fill the position he aspires to, and should not ask your votes.

It is BECAUSE the Baby Boomer's neglected to learn about MONETARY POLICY we are in the pickle we are in. Not only them, but generations X, Y and Z as well. We are being forced into debt slavery and the only things the government officials can think to tell us is that we should work until we are 70+ years old and that there should be FORCED savings accounts.

I have a novel idea. How about you stupid politicans END the military presence around the world, quit giving all the Nanny State benefits to millions of illegal aliens, and get our monetary system back to some form of gold standard to restrain you guys from BLOWING ALL OF OUR MONEY!!! It's only been 36 years since we got off the gold standard and look at the mess we are in.

Meanwhile the Baby Boomers are busy driving their SUV's, watching football, and eating chicken wings. The other half of them are worried about global warming and want socialism to solve all our problems, not understanding it is BECAUSE of socialism that the US is BANKRUPT. The younger generations are starting to wake up, but most of them are fooled by statists/marxists like Obama. Hopefully enough people will find out about the campaign for liberty in time. What is needed is to get the Government OUT of our pocketbooks and to be forced to control the money supply, rather than leaving it to private banksters at the Federal Reserve that rip us all off.

www.campaignforliberty.com

www.mises.org

neoconned of IA @ Aug 23, 2008 14:00:27 PM