Is Gen Y going to be the most productive generation ever?

loyalty to a certain company has been dead for ages. we've been bumped all over the place over the past few years with (technically gen x'er) DH's employment, and the job he's got now is probably the best he's had... he's still working 15 hour days making 100% commission with sh!t for health insurance. they demand as much out of him with a series of herniated disks, no less.

but i do think that our generation as a whole (yes, i said "our" and yes i am criticizing my own generation) has had it vastly easier than any other and doesn't seem to realize it or care what it means. and i'm sure it will continue to progress that way as time rolls on.

but hell... even i can see the entitlement that oozes out of every pore of people my age. maybe it's the fact that i go to a very rich and now infamous private school and have become extremely jaded... but even so, first the government and then our PIs are paying our tuition and fees so it's not like acceptance at the grad school here is financially exclusive. yet i hear lovely quotes like
"i realize that i have it good, but that's just how things always have been for me. i know i take things for granted but sometimes it's so hard not to, you know?"
[puke]
no, i don't know. but thanks for asking.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jun 23 2007, 04:02 PM) [snapback]466967[/snapback]</div>

I believe that the sense of entitlement that you speak of is a function of class not age. For as long as their has been rich and poor the rich have felt a sense of entitlement and privilege that only money can buy. Our parents generation was just as bad, they have just forgotten that daddy got them their first job too.

As for me, I've a a job sense I was 10 but I guess that still makes me spoiled and self-centered because I believe that things go both ways. I don't only have to earn respect, you need to earn it too. I'm sorry but I'm not going to come into a job groveling and just thankful to have it. There was a reason I was hired and it is because of the skills I bring to the company. My generation also tends to judge people based on the individual. Just because you may have VP on your business card doesn't make you any better than me or the guy that's sweeping the floor. As I said, you have to earn respect.

 

i never said you were spoiled and self centered. i appreciate your ideals, really, hard work and respect being a two way street. everyone being equals as human beings. i really do. but as far as i can tell you (and i, as i also believe those things) are in the minority. i overheard this after my classmates met DH for the first time: "oh, well he's about what i expected, i mean, for a mechanic" (Wth!)

i've done plenty of working and supporting myself in my lifetime as well. i was independent by 17, i kinda had to work a lot to make that work out.

yes, i deal with the rich kids on a day to day basis now. (well, less frequently than that, as i try to avoid them) but i grew up solidly lower middle class, and my friends were in about the same situation as i was. i saw parallels there too... maybe it wasn't a new car for having survived to the age of 16, but we deserved to be able to borrow the least nice car to go out for a night just about whenever we pleased. some of them weren't allowed to have a job at all, not that anyone who had that circumstance wanted to have one anyway.

all i'm saying is that i think the (collective, and again this doesn't apply to all) parents of this generation have made it very easy on their children, and it wasn't exactly doing them a favor.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jun 24 2007, 01:44 AM) [snapback]467170[/snapback]</div>

I wasn't referring to you Galaxee, that comment was directed at some of the earlier posters that seem to thing that all of Gen Y is made up of spoiled brats.

I did read something interesting in the paper today (Yes, Gen Y can read too). According to Fidelity Investment Group the average Boomer expects to retire with 52% of their current income. That figure includes Social Security and pensions if they have one. Only 64% of Boomers have even started saving for retirement. And my generation is irresponsible?

Again, who's going to pay for the Boomers to retire? There's no money in the trust fund, you spent it all already. You just passed a nice prescription drug benefit that isn't funded. Who's going to pay for that? Your parents where not good enough for a prescription drug benefit but suddenly just before you retire it's a necessity. Which generation is spoiled and has a overblown sense of entitlement?

 

I love airplanes,
The SR-71 blackbird (faster than bullets) ... and today's space shuttle ... '50s - '60s - 70's technology. Wow. It makes me marvel. Think about it ... the shuttle is almost 35 years old. Will it ever be replaced with something greater? We landed on the moon via a '60s president's commitment.

Now, computers are faster. They're made over seas. The super tankers are bigger (the ones that deliver our oil, because we only have about 8% of world reserves left here, though we use over 30% of it) but they too ... the big ships, are made over seas.

So, I got a doctor's degree. My folks only graduated high school. I have more stuff than the last generation. Our stuff ... it comes from other countries, because the generation in charge now is the greatest at outsourcing. I must have missed something. What exactly IS this (U.S.) generation producing? Sorry if that sounds like a downer. The past 4 generations here in the U.S. had it pretty easy, with virtually free fossil fuel. That meant virtually free energy. Supply is peaking, while consumption exponentially increases (and most don't even know or care). We (the U.S.A.) are in for a real ride, imo. Productive? I hope it will be.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Jun 24 2007, 08:29 PM) [snapback]467428[/snapback]</div>

You're right, the US did some great things in the 60's and 70's. It was a great time of technological progress and invention and the golden age for my profession, engineering. Now the focus is how to save another penny by cutting cost cost here or there to make it good enough to last until the warranty is up.

But do we really need a replacement for the shuttle? With the U.S. ranked 37th in health care and 18th in education I think that there are bigger priorities than bragging rights for space flights. Don't get me started on going back to the moon or to mars.

By the current generation in charge you mean the Boomers right? Yes, they've been good and outsourcing and doing anything to pinch the penny. My generation is going to be really good at selling each other stuff and other service industries. I'm curious what will happen to the health care industry when all the Boomers die off and there is a huge glut. Yes, it's the hot ticket right now but what about in 20 years?

The Boomers have left us a good mess with energy as well. From what I've read recently the Baby-Boom generation will have lived during the use of 50 to 60% of the world oil supply. Wouldn't it be great if the Boomers in office right now decided to make a change and do a new 10 year commitment like Kennedy's moon landing? It won't happen but it's nice to dream.

Still no answer to my question to the Boomers, "Who's going to pay for your retirement?" I would have though by now that someone would have had the guts to say, "Your generation, but don't you dare try to cut our benefit or tax us. We made the mess now you fix it."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 25 2007, 11:08 AM) [snapback]467576[/snapback]</div>

We, as a baby boomer, we did NOT make this mess. We inherited this mess from the previous generation like the one following you will inherit your "mess". Bush tried to fix a small part of Social Security but got nowhere - for better or worse we are coming at you - get ready to get taxed to the hilt - i do want my money back - and I do expect you to be productive enough to cover it the way I am covering the retired people today - plus interest.

IF you want to add nationalized health care and free drug/prescription plans to your financial burdens feel free to do so - i still want my social security money back with interest - and i plan on living a long long life after retirement.

If you want to add another 12 million illegals to our citizenship roles that will add another $2.5 TRILLION + to your already existing burdens - feel free to do so. I still want my money back with interest.

I want to thank you in advance for all your future blood sweat and tears - i will appreciate it every time i cash that Social Security check, and fill my free Rx's and see my medicare doctors and have all that expensive care in the future.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 25 2007, 11:08 AM) [snapback]467576[/snapback]</div>

Says the generation who is currently using energy at a faster rate than the Baby Boomers ever did. <_<

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 11:52 AM) [snapback]467592[/snapback]</div>

And all this time I thought that us Gen X and Gen Y people were filled with thoughts of entitlement, apparently as boomers you didn't correct the mess when given the opportunities, these problems have been swept under the rug your entire life because of the short sighted cheapness by your generation that still runs corporate america, the same kind of generation that decides to outsource jobs and cut health benefits so the company will give the CEO and board a Fat raise and bonus, not to mention the job workers and Union Reps who made demands that were so demanding that the company had to cut costs just to attempt to stay competitive, but somehow it isn't their fault, they only inherited it.

 

A generation that pay for services & outsource production = Gen X+Y.

Just ask all the great FORMER superpowers what happens when you don't actually produce anything of substance.

Keep selling to yourselves. The Chinese will eat the Amway thing alive.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 10:52 AM) [snapback]467592[/snapback]</div>

Your generation may not have created Social Security but you've also nothing to put it on solid footing for your retirement. You didn't up the retirement age as life expectancy increased. You've raided the trust fund for general fund spending. You have known for decades that the current system will not work but your generation chose to ignore the problem and pass the problem on to Gen X and now Gen X looks happy to pass it to Gen Y.

I'm glad you mention the prescription drug benefit, something that the Boomers passes for themselves to be paid for by Gen X and Gen Y.

I guess I'm glad someone here at least as the honesty to admit what is going on. But a question to you. What if Gen X and Gen Y say enough is enough and turn of the money spigot? Yes, you control things for now but our day is coming. If we are going to have a federal health care system it should be for all Americans not just the poor and the old. Being old doesn't make you special.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MickeyA @ Jun 25 2007, 11:32 AM) [snapback]467622[/snapback]</div>

I don't think that a service economy is a good idea, but my generation isn't the one in charge of American corporations, the Boomers are. If you want to look at someone to blame for outsourcing look no further than the Boomers. I agree that it is a good way to doom us but then again it's not my decision. On the other hand I think that rapidly rising fuel prices will kill of outsourcing in the next decade or so.

I do what I can:
I don't shop at Wal-Mart considering that if Wal-Mart was a country it would be in the top 10 for trade deficits with the U.S.
I do shop at the local farmers market to get my produce to support local farmers and reduce the food-miles of my diet.
I do look at labels and try to purchase American made products when they are available but I challenge you to find a consumer electronic product that is made in America.

As for paying for services, I would say that Gen Y is the generation that WISHES it could afford to pay for services and the Boomers are the ones that actually are. I've just moved to suburban Birmingham and find myself surrounded by retirees. We all have 60'X100' lots but I'm amazed to see a lawn service truck pull up each week to mow my neighbors lawns. They don't even bother to unload the riding mowers but just use the little walkbehinds and it takes at most 15 to 20 minutes and another 10 for edging. I think once the stage 3 drought passes and the grass actually starts to grow without watering it every other day like my neighbors seem to think is necessary I'll have to get a little electric mower.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ Jun 25 2007, 12:29 PM) [snapback]467620[/snapback]</div>

your point?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 25 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]467630[/snapback]</div>

Buwahhahaha. so who will service the debt that you've have incurred personally?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 25 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]467630[/snapback]</div>

& being young & naive makes you think you can call the shots?

How un-Syriana & gullible you are.

Here's a thought: American = entitlement.
Learn it, speak it, live it.
It's your DNA. Why do it when you can just past the buck onto future gens.

Like I said, don't be gullible. Accept your DNA.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 25 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]467630[/snapback]</div>

Bush did try to start the fix - but was shouted down by everyone.

I am not in charge of the SS system - i am just at this point a major payer into it (and I expect all my money out of it plus interest). I did not raid the fund - I did not push spending higher and higher - ask clinton/bush/congress -etc etc. they spend - i have NO say in it except when i vote.

I am for privatizing a portion of soc sec today - please.

All the new programs being added to the expense books of the govt are generation y's as well - you guys vote - keep voting democratic (or for that matter todays republicans are just as bad) - keep adding new programs - i could care less because i can opt out of socialized medicine - but i do want my soc sec money back plus interest - and trust me - if you are a gen y guy - i will hold your feet to the fire to pay me back plus interest - i am NOT going to gift you HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MY HARD EARNED DOLLARS.

YOU have NO chance of turning the spigot off bro - whatever solution your generation wants to implement will have to pass several tests:
the test of the ballot box - we got you here big time
the test of the legal system - theft will probably be illegal too during the next few decades

If you want socialized medicine fine and well - i cant wait for you to pay for that for me too since i will be retired LONG before you - or are you going to try to exclude me from UNIVERSAL health care

You socialists/democrats/liberals - now that you are starting to pay taxes - welcome to the real world. You HAVE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS YOU INHERITED - get used to it. and remember - that spigot you refer to in terms of turning it off - REMEMBER THAT THAT IS MY MONEY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT - NOT NOT YOURS - are you advocating theft? By the way, those inherited obligations will only increase and increase depending upon how liberal you want to be - but get ready bro - keep wanting the govt to do more and more and more - and admit another 12 MILLION new citizens with their own financial responsibilities - keep expanding govt and spending - by the time you are done McDonalds might be out of your reach unless you nationalize fast food too :lol:

And old makes me old - it does not make me stupid - it does not dissolve YOUR debt to me (all that money i put into soc sec - what, you think you can just steal my money and not give it back to me????? - tell me buddy - if i took your money would you want it back??) - it in fact gives you a greater obligation to do right by me - i financed this stupid social program with TONS of my hard earned $'s - if you dont pay me back there wont be enough new fools to pay into it - and hence your dilema.....

Voting conservative yet......... just a matter of time and common sense.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 10:52 AM) [snapback]467592[/snapback]</div>

You know what, this isn't even worth responding to.

The bottom line is that your attitude sucks and your "facts" are fictions.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sassy Pamela @ Jun 25 2007, 02:41 PM) [snapback]467687[/snapback]</div>

My attitude has nothing to due with the liability the country owes me - including interest.

Which facts of mine are fiction? The hundreds of thousands of $'s i have paid into the system or I am going to pay into the system before i retire? The fact that the country owes me this money back as long as i am alive to collect starting in my early 60's or whenever I choose to start receiving funds from soc sec? Tell me, where are my fictions.

And, why did you respond to something you thought was not even worth responding to? It's not like it was a financial obligation you have :lol:

Remember, the money i am pouring into soc sec today i expect back - it is not a gift, it is a loan.

I hope you find this worth responding to.

And I am curious about this attitude thing - and, do NOT ever borrow money from anyone you know or anyone you do not know well enough if you know what i mean - you will then get a lifes lesson in attitude.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 01:59 PM) [snapback]467702[/snapback]</div>

Don't worry, I don't need to borrow money. Thanks for your concern though.

Oops almost forgot something :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 01:54 PM) [snapback]467656[/snapback]</div>

Reaganomics in the 80's was the main cause of these problems, the continuation of Bush 1 and the revival of Bush 2 just makes it worse. Remember that when Clinton left office there was a budget surplus, Bush 2 could have moved that into SS to give it a boost but he chose to give everyone $300. The very guy you talk about voting for just robbed your SS. Get over it you did it to yourself.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 12:54 PM) [snapback]467656[/snapback]</div>

Exactly and when has social security, medicare, healthcare, or any important issue been a topic for debate in American politics? The important things have been swept under rug while Democrats and Republicans squabble over trivial social issues. If your elected officials have done nothing, you have done nothing.

Bush's plan didn't fix anything, it just put a huge hole in the short term cash flow. If my generation stops paying in who pays for your retirement?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 12:54 PM) [snapback]467656[/snapback]</div>

The Boomer may be the largest current generation but they are a small fraction of the total population. Keep up your demands of what you're entitled to and see if the tide turns. Are we suppose to feel bad when the Boomers have no money because they didn't save for retirement even though they have been the most prosperous generation to date? Theft is illegal but what goes into Social Security is not yours.

Universal healthcare is just that, heathcare for all not heathcare for the rich that leave the U.S. ranked 37th in the world for healthcare as a total population.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 12:54 PM) [snapback]467656[/snapback]</div>

You don't seem to understand the pyramid scheme that is our Social Security system very well. You have no social contract with me. You gave you parents money to pay for their retirement and they promised you that when your time came around that Gen X and Gen Y would take care of you. You had some extra left over so you spent that instead of saving it for when you would need it latter. You have a social contract with your parents, take it up with them that the Ponzi scheme has broken down. You have no more claim to the money that you put into Social Security than you do money that you pay in Federal Taxes. It's not YOUR money, its the governments money and the government breaks promises and changes it mind all the time. I would think you would have learned that by now.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 12:54 PM) [snapback]467656[/snapback]</div>

Which is why I think that we should scrap Social Security altogether. Yes, you heard it first from me, my new Socialist idea. Privatizing Social Security does nothing that a 401K or IRA doesn't do already, it just gives you a very poor rate of return. I understand you can't just cancel the system and stop sending out checks but you can phase it out based on age. Say full benefits for those 60 and older and then a age based reduction down to say 40 - 45. Yes, I know that means a lot of people would have paid in and got nothing but lets face it our present situation isn't much better. That means that I will have paid in for 15 years and probably pay for benefits for the rest of my life that I will never receive. So be it. To me a retirement program is very low on the list of things that a government should be paying for.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jun 25 2007, 12:54 PM) [snapback]467656[/snapback]</div>

I've done it twice, voted for Dole and Bush. Bush was enough for me. He didn't do anything about Social Security, Education, or the Deficit. He is just now getting around to immigration. He lied to me and got us into a unnecessary war (Irag) that will cost us trillions in money and even more in reputation and world influence. (BTW, I supported and support what we are doing in Afghanistan's but we should have 150K troops there, not in Iraq) Pretty much all he has cared about domestically is pandering to the religious right and worrying about social issues that I could care less about. LIVE AND LET LIVE PEOPLE!! No the Republican party holds nothing for me. I can stomach their emphasis on social repression.