Here’s something that baby boomers really need to understand: The America you grew up in, well, it’s changed a lot. A significant number of younger Americans are leaning towards socialism at an unprecedented rate. Baby boomers might think it’s just about getting things for free, but that’s not quite the full picture. Underneath it all, there’s a long-standing movement that deeply affects middle-class mobility and poses risks to social stability.
It’s a bit disheartening, honestly.
Big financial firms and lobbyists seem to have teamed up, really drowning Americans in a sea of low-cost imports while burdening them with overwhelming loans—be it for education or everyday products. When you think about it, young people are increasingly being priced out of their dreams.
So, to the baby boomers who want to retain some influence, here’s my urgent message: The kids are not okay.
The America that your children and grandchildren know is vastly different from the one you experienced. Most boomers entered this world in the 1950s, during a time of economic prosperity. There was a feeling of unity fueled by postwar hope, a booming industry, and cultural icons like Elvis, along with the comforting presence of news on television during dinner.
Fast forward to today, where we find ourselves in a technological renaissance. Yeah, there are tremendous advancements happening in space, tech, and medicine—thanks, mostly, to private enterprise. Yet, when it comes to essential needs like housing and education, there seems to be a disconnect that leaves younger generations struggling.
To illustrate, back in 1955, people typically bought homes in their late 20s. Now? It’s not uncommon for them to wait until 56. Also, while a wage worker back then would only need about seven years of their salary to purchase a modest home without borrowing, now it takes around 27 years. Can you imagine that?
And then there’s education. In 1955, students could fund their college tuition by working just a few hours a week at minimum wage. Now, if a student aims for a prestigious school, they’d practically need to work over 26 hours a day. Yeah, that’s right—26. It’s so out of touch with reality.
And what about the political landscape? There’s a stark generational divide: While 93% of baby boomers say that political violence is never justified, about 44% of Gen Z say it can be sometimes. It’s perplexing to think about. Sure, most young people aren’t looking for chaos, but they absolutely feel a weight of disadvantage.
The reality is that the baby boomer generation often took their upward mobility for granted. Now, the very policies promoted as progress have hollowed out their opportunities.
We’ve spent immense sums on wars abroad, foreign infrastructure, and elections in other countries while the home front suffers. It’s frustrating to see the dollar weaken, illegal immigration rise, and crime levels spike—all while American jobs vanish. Debt has taken over households, and instead of investing in homes, many are buried under consumer debt due to the loss of community and connection.
Interestingly, both the populist right and socialist left seem to agree on what’s gone wrong. Listen to what Bernie Sanders had to say recently; many from both sides would probably find common ground.
However, it’s misleading to think socialism could solve everything. The proposed solutions from progressives often end up harming those they aim to support.
Look at zoning laws and rent regulations, for example; they sound good in theory but often hinder housing supply and drive rents up instead. So, why do wealthy individuals back such ideas? Perhaps because they know that a depressed middle class keeps them safe.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
We could turn things around—reforming our education system, lowering healthcare costs, rebuilding our supply chains, boosting energy productivity, and restoring workforce capabilities.
Baby boomers, take charge; otherwise, your influence may fade away by the time your next Social Security check arrives. Moderate Democrats recognize the rising trend of socialism but hesitate to vocalize it. Keep in mind, Gen Z and Millennials are an emerging voting force—they’re ready for change, and the middle ground is increasingly being replaced by more extreme viewpoints.
The choice is in your hands. We can either acquiesce to socialist structures or we can rectify the missteps of the last two decades, empowering individuals and revitalizing the American Dream.
