Why Baby Boomers Don't Understand Occupy Wall Street

[Ban Hammer 13,501]

I remember going to high school also Slim.

This was probably before you were born.

Back then, you could count on graduating high school and being able to get a job. And not just some shitty fast food or retail job. If you went to university, you were going to be able to get a better job.

The reality is this. In just 35 years in the US, things have deteriorated to the point that even a Masters will only get you in the door for an interview.

This isn't about people wanting what they don't deserve. This is about a breakdown in the opportunity scale. This is about how most of us don't have a rat's #### prayer of ever being in the 1%.

no master's needed at my workplace. just skills and experience.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

We don't? Silly me, and I thought free health care for someone that needed attention and had no insurance and needed attention, food stamps, and unemployment were the exception... to be given in rare but necessary circumstances. Today folks, no not just folks... half the freaking population think these are entitlements and they are not only entitled to these things, they believe they are supposed to get these things. Ah, and tax credits, exemptions, etc. Tell me again, we don't have socialism? What do you call it?

Mixed economy is an economic system in which both the state and private sector direct the economy, reflecting characteristics of both market economies and planned economies.[1] Most mixed economies can be described as market economies with strong regulatory oversight, in addition to having a variety of government-sponsored aspects. See (Elements of a mixed economy).

The underlying premise of the mixed economy is that the means of production are mainly under private ownership; that markets remain the dominant form of economic coordination; and that profit-seeking enterprises and the accumulation of capital would remain the fundamental driving force behind economic activity. Additionally, the government would wield considerable influence over the economy through fiscal and monetary policies designed to counteract economic downturns and capitalism's tendency toward financial crises and unemployment, along with playing a role in social welfare interventions.[2] Subsequently, some mixed economies have expanded to include indicative economic planning or large public enterprise sectors.

There is not one single definition for a mixed economy,[3] but the definitions always involve a degree of private economic freedom mixed with a degree of government regulation of markets. The relative strength or weakness of each component in the national economy can vary greatly between countries. Economies ranging from the United States[4] to Cuba[5] have been termed mixed economies. The term is also used to describe the economies of countries which are referred to as welfare states, such as Norway and Sweden. Governments in mixed economies often provide environmental protection, maintenance of employment standards, a standardized welfare system, and maintenance of competition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_economy

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

How much was your cable tv, internet service, cell phone and service, satellite radio/emergency transponder service? How often did you go out for dinner?

I can't remember how much the cable was. That's why I like things like the photographs. I'm hoping you realize there wasn't internet and cell phone service. The only person with a cell phone was Captain Kirk. I can't remember how often we went out to dinner. I know we did go out, and order pizza delivered quite often.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Deterioration? Gas is roughly six times as much as it was back then and everything else is roughly three times as much. Lets ballpark it at 5. If you're earning anywhere near $3250/month (or your household income balances out to where you'd be earning close to that - and don't forget about your housing, food, and medical allowances) then there really is no deterioration at all.

We earn over that.

Medical costs consume anything that would have been "left over" in the 70's.

It still is. Just everyone ignores it. (While they're simultaneously paying on two cars they don't need either.)

We have only one car. It's been that way for us for 7 years.

In a previous life I owned three cars and a huge RV. But I only ever had one car payment at a time.

no master's needed at my workplace. just skills and experience.

People can't get skills and experience if they can't get a job in the first place.

Besides, your job is not public sector.

[slim 1,530]

I can't remember how much the cable was. That's why I like things like the photographs. I'm hoping you realize there wasn't internet and cell phone service. The only person with a cell phone was Captain Kirk. I can't remember how often we went out to dinner. I know we did go out, and order pizza delivered quite often.

Exactly my point.

You didn't pay for things then that you're paying for now. You don't need those things today any more than you needed them then. Yet you'll hear things like "you have to have cable" and/or "you have to have a cell phone." Best ever is "you have to have internet."

We earn over that.

Then where's all this deterioration you were talking about?

Medical costs consume anything that would have been "left over" in the 70's.

Why didn't you save what you didn't have to pay for your "free" medical in the 70s for when you'd need it now?

We have only one car. It's been that way for us for 7 years.

Great decision.

In a previous life I owned three cars and a huge RV. But I only ever had one car payment at a time.

Is that personal responsibility? I've heard of that... yet I'm not hearing it from the occupiers.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Are the actual costs higher or the usage?

I don't remember every young couple having their own cookie-cutter home back in the '70s. Nor do I remember both mom and dad having brand new cars to drive 50 miles a day either. Or cell phones, for that matter.

And healthcare? Remember when mom took care of everthing and if you were really, really sick your family doctor would give you a bottle of pink stuff?

Once again... it's not the prices.

Why not simply let us compete in a global economy?

Slim, you weren't even born until 1979. I just checked. I like in nowhereville and there was PLENTY of speculative housing being built here. Cookie cutter houses with the prices painted on the windows like car lots. And I had a brand new car - bought it the year you were born.

What I remember about health care was being able to go to the doctor without a co-pay. And my parents (yes the 60's) taking us to the hospital without worrying over bankruptcy. I also remember having no prescription drug coverage (no such thing back then) so scripts were something no one looked forward to.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Are the actual costs higher or the usage?

I don't remember every young couple having their own cookie-cutter home back in the '70s. Nor do I remember both mom and dad having brand new cars to drive 50 miles a day either. Or cell phones, for that matter.

And healthcare? Remember when mom took care of everthing and if you were really, really sick your family doctor would give you a bottle of pink stuff?

Once again... it's not the prices.

Why not simply let us compete in a global economy?

FYI 30 Years ago is not not the 1970s.

Do you really think healthcare costs went up based on mom?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Exactly my point.

You didn't pay for things then that you're paying for now. You don't need those things today any more than you needed them then. Yet you'll hear things like "you have to have cable" and/or "you have to have a cell phone." Best ever is "you have to have internet."

Then where's all this deterioration you were talking about?

Why didn't you save what you didn't have to pay for your "free" medical in the 70s for when you'd need it now?

Great decision.

Is that personal responsibility? I've heard of that... yet I'm not hearing it from the occupiers.

All I can speak of is my own personal experience. I know what we earn and it's modest. We have a modest home (if you own a pickup truck my house payment is less than your truck payment). We have one car and a modest payment on it. We have utilities. We have basic cable. We have no land line so we have cell phones; they are older phones and we have no data plan. I would not be concerned about out personal welfare one bit if it were not for health costs. I'm not going to bore you with our families medical needs (mostly because I don't think you would care) but I will tell you they are a great worry to me.

In the greatest nation on earth.

[Ban Hammer 13,501]

People can't get skills and experience if they can't get a job in the first place.

at our age we're expected to have it.

Besides, your job is not public sector.

really? what's your idea of public sector then?

[^_^ 5,021]

To win an argument with rebecca, charles is about to admit he feeds on the taxpayers teat.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

at our age we're expected to have it.

really? what's your idea of public sector then?

No connection to the military or government consumption.

Do they only hire old people where you work?

To win an argument with rebecca, charles is about to admit he feeds on the taxpayers teat.

[mawilson 2,133]

Yet in 30 years real incomes have fallen... I noticed you mentioned manufactured goods. These are cheaper because they are no longer made here.

Fallen or not, if goods are cheaper, you can still buy more with your dollars today, no?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Compare and contrast that to household spending. What's the average household spend now compared to what they used to 30 years ago?

My dad was born in 1927. At that time, the home he lived in didn't have running water, a toilet, no refrigerator, no AC. Of course we could all go back to living back to that if you think that would be a solution. However, the rest of the world would start comparing us to Third World countries. So, is having a cell phone any less a necessity than having AC? Both are valuable parts in the quality of life.

Edited October 18, 2011 by DFH

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Fallen or not, if goods are cheaper, you can still buy more with your dollars today, no?

I really don't care if I can get a TV for less than $300. That's BS.

I care about the cost of staples and basic needs. Gasoline, bread, milk, cereal, vegetables, jeans, shoes, stuff like that. Medications.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Fallen or not, if goods are cheaper, you can still buy more with your dollars today, no?

It depends in relation to the entire budget. For me, I spend less than 200USD on manufactured goods (ie appliances phones etc.) per year. The largest piece of my budget is savings followed by rent.