Burnt Orange Report

I think anytime I hear the word "end," it's time to plan for "the return of." Inflation was supposedly cured under Greenspan, for instance. To his credit, he's a great inflationary hawk, so we've not gone back to anything close to double-digit inflation. But, typically, when we (and this applies to Gen-Y, Gen-X and even older) believe we've cured something in regards to economics, it usually means we're starting to neglect it as well as it's sources.

The energy of youth is, I believe, rightly directed at asking questions of why things aren't better than they are and seeking ways to reach those ideals. But I also believe that it's up to those who have "been there, done that" to know where to draw the line. As an example, I think the still-recent instances of watching younger friends make the case for gas rationing as gas hit $3/gallon serves as a good case in point.

I think anyone over 35 (or with a fuller reading of history) ought to understand the problems with such an idea. But there's a point about the underlying problem of rising energy prices being one of those things wrong that ought to be fixed. In this case, and perhaps in several others, I don't quarrel that there ought to be a fix within reach ... but that the desired fix being sought just might be horrendously wrong.

How's the old line go again? ... "the truth is somewhere in the middle." Yeah, I knew there was a reason I cling to that statement like a quadraplegic to a skateboard.

Has nobody out there read a single solitary book by Douglas Coupland? I don't mean his newer stuff (which, sadly, *I* have not read), I mean Generation X and Microsurfs. Recognize any similarities? Twenty-somethings today face the same problems that Twenty-somethings in the early 90's faced. We aren't "whining," there are serious issues and barriers facing us which, in essence, are excluding us from the "real" economy.

In real terms, things ARE dire for our generation. The author of the article mentions all the consumer goods available... which is GREAT if you can afford to pay for them. Of course there are credit cards, which thanks to our Congress, you now absolutely cannot declare bankruptcy on anymore. Add to that the fact that we're an artificial generation without anything "real" to fall back upon (not music, not television, not movies, nothing cultural whatseoever), and yes, things are INDEED that dire!

Looking back Regan created the malaise in the 1990’s and Bush created this malaise…

"Not having to worry so much about AIDS"??? Yes granted every American who contracts HIV isnt dying immediately since there are new drugs to keep people alive longer, but its still a problem. I personally know people who have died in the last couple years from it and Im only 29, not some 40ish yr old 80s activist of "ye olden days". I also know a couple others who have newly contracted it in the last couple years. That statement by the author is completely ignorant.

And to say we dont have as much crime is also ignorant. In the last 6 years, in two different cities (Dallas TX and Raleigh NC), Ive had my car broken into in broad daylight, been held at gunpoint, my boyfriend was beaten from behind and robbed of groceries. Well man, ya know, I havent been murdered or stabbed yet so I guess that means its safer out there. Ignorant.

But yes I give the guy his due in the fact we have a lot of things easier. No draft (for now). Technology. Easy access to coffee. More of us graduating college even at such a high price.

there's a false assumption in part of the article you quote. there are nearly as many gen-y'ers as there are baby boomers. sheer numbers should give these "kids" power; it's just that they're not choosing to weild it in any constructive way (present company excluded, of course).