The Destruction of My Generation

reply to post by Ace High


I believe I already answered that question in the post you just quoted. They didn't know until it was too late that they had been sold out. They might have not been able to quell the damage that was done, but they did their best to survive it. I too hope that our generation will turn things around, but we'll get nowhere as long as we continue to misplace the blame.

[edit on 14-8-2010 by Torgo]

Originally posted by topdog30
@Dock9......

Talk about a Debbie Downer!..LOL

You sound like a bitter old man! I'm not trying to attack you....I just want to know what went wrong in your life to make you sound so bitter?


I have dreams, and so far I have been following them. I didn't just dream....I took action and made them come true. I'm sorry that you could not make yours come true.

I was not spoiled, my parents are older than most people my age. My dad was born in 1936 and I was raised on the "earn your keep" mindset!

You didn't like the TRUTH, did you, 'topdog' ?


Must have bitten way to close to your bone, lol


You tried to get even in a cowardly way --- by attacking me and then by immediately disclaiming the obvious attack

If you have problems with your generation being describes as 'spoiled' -- I suggest to take it up with the OP, which is where that description was intially launched

If you are anything NEAR as happy and successful as you claim --- and especially considering you claim to have been raised as responsibly as my own children --- then you wouldn't have wasted five minutes of your time on the growling response you directed to me personally --- would you ?


Ps: the 'bitterness' is coming straight out of you, 'topdog'. Own your own bitterness thanks - it's not transferable, lol

reply to post by GENERAL EYES


General Eyes,

I get it, I just feel for my piers.

Acceptance of what life truly is, can be hard.

Thanks for the post. Maybe in the future our generation will be viewed as the greatest generation for stepping back from the mass consumerism and making a difference.

reply to post by GENERAL EYES

There should be no shame in learning a new trade.
There should be no shame in tightening ones belt and "making do".

But there is shame in believing we are entitled to anything other than the hard won fruits of our labor and toil at a fundamental level.

The quoted passage above was your best moment


But I'm not in agreement with your conclusion which claims the generation in question (the OP's) was 'victim' to a world and life changing moment


You don't feel those 17 and 18 years old who'd been raised during the Great Depression and who were thrust into the front lines of pitched battle and carnage of WW2 had it just a little harder than later generations' little complaints about having to pay back money THEY borrowed for items they couldn't afford ?

You don't suspect returning service men and women had it just a little bit harder when they landed on civvy street after they'd survived WW2, and then picked themselves up without the benefit of psychiatrists and PTSD and counselling -- and took any job they could find, any overtime they could get, walking to work very often to save a few dollars a week to feed their children in their rented two rooms ?


And what about the generation before that -- the generation that survived the Great War, WW1 -- which left millions of women and children without a breadwinner when welfare was a miserable token and when the vast majority of women had been denied education or training in any marketable skills ?



.





[edit on 14-8-2010 by Dock9]

Originally posted by GENERAL EYES


I'm Gen-X as well...but took a different path than the one set out before me by my well meaning parents.

I couldn't justify student loans and years of college to prove my "worth" only to end up with a piece of paper and little more than the ability to regurgitate what was expected of me.

My parents and their siblings were all expected to pay off their student loans by themselves, and they did just that. You can't blame the baby boomers for naively hoping that their children would be able to do the same.

Also, would you willingly go to see a doctor who never went to college, but instead discovered himself and his talents through life experience? Would you entrust your money to a stockbroker who never studied finance or economics? Would you hire a contractor who never earned a degree in civil engineering or construction management?

A higher education isn't something to be condemned.

reply to post by Torgo


You make so much sense

Everything you write is true, reasonable, intelligent

God bless your good genes -- and those who bequeathed them to you, also those who may inherit them

Great posts

You don't suspect returning service men and women had it just a little bit harder when they landed on civvy street after they'd survived WW2, and then picked themselves up without the benefit of psychiatrists and PTSD and counselling -- and took any job they could find, any overtime they could get, walking to work very often to save a few dollars a week to feed their children in their rented two rooms ?


And what about the generation before that -- the generation that survived the Great War, WW1 -- which left millions of women and children without a breadwinner when welfare was a miserable token and when the vast majority of women had been denied education or training in any marketable skills ?

[edit on 14-8-2010 by Dock9]

Of course WWI and WWII vets had it hard, and I certainly don't try to compare. But the false expectations that have been placed on this generation compare to none.

[edit on 14-8-2010 by Ace High]

Of course WWI and WWII vets had it hard, and I certainly don't try to compare. But the false expectations that have been placed on this generation compare to none.

I'd ask you to rethink that


The expectations are the province entirely of the generation which is doing the complaining

That generation, which you claim as your own (although there are many, many exceptions) are responsible for their OWN expectations

If that generation 'expected' this or that -- then it is up to them to fulfil their own expectations. If they cannot, for whatever reason, then it's up to them to lower their expectations of Life, of others and everything other than themselves

Do you see ?

If your generation cannot afford a certain education, or house, or vehicle, of standard of life, whatever -- then your generation needs to set its sights on things it CAN afford, CAN achieve

The intelligent in your generation have worked it out. Others are refusing to accept their situation

Ultimately, it's up to the individual. Although it must be painful, having to learn at 30 that you can't and don't always get what you want. Still, better late than never

Originally posted by Dock9
If your generation cannot afford a certain education, or house, or vehicle, of standard of life, whatever -- then your generation needs to set its sights on things it CAN afford, CAN achieve

The intelligent in your generation have worked it out. Others are refusing to accept their situation

Ultimately, it's up to the individual. Although it must be painful, having to learn at 30 that you can't and don't always get what you want. Still, better late than never

You miss the point. The current generation is the only one that has been programmed since as young as they can remember that the world is theirs and nothing is too great too expect.

I certainly understand the limitations, but many of my peers don't, and this mindset will ruin the current generation and the future generations. Previous generations will unfortunately pay for these false hopes planted in their children in alcoholism and drug addictions.

You miss the point. The current generation is the only one that has been programmed since as young as they can remember that the world is theirs and nothing is too great too expect.

I certainly understand the limitations, but many of my peers don't, and this mindset will ruin the current generation and the future generations. Previous generations will unfortunately pay for these false hopes planted in their children in alcoholism and drug addictions.

No. It's not so

What you're doing, without realising it, is again casting the blame elsewhere

Until those doing the complaining REALISE that this will NOT get them what they want, they'll make no progress. They'll appear ridiculous. And they'll put themselves though a lot of unnecessary anger and frustration


It's absolute nonsense for you to claim that your generation was born without a brain or backbone to its name. Nonsense

Just as it's nonsense to claim that your generation stood there for the first 18 or 20 years of its life and was victimised by all those wicked adults who falsely whispered in their ears, ' Hey, pssst --- your generation can have EVERYthing ! Yeah. True. You can have it all. The world is going to hand all your desires to you on a plate. Sim sala bim -- you are in our powah -- we are programming you guys to believe the world is yours -- nothing is to great to expect '

No .... where your generation picked up its silly ideas and insupportable expectations (and not all did, remember) was from your buddy the Fantasy World .. the good old television ... 902310 or whatever it was ... Friends ... movies made by old men about 'college kids' all driving sportscars paid for by those endless 'rich parents' of fiction-fame ... and in your own daydreams

You heard the tv news. You saw the face of poverty there, of unemployment. You saw people doing it hard and you probably knew some of them. You would have had elderly neighbours scratching by on limited money and you would have heard your parents discussing it. Those old people could even have been your own grandparents

Unless all your generation was raised in wealth, you would have seen and heard your own parents as they struggled to make ends meet, so you guys knew the score

What you did was buy the hype. Because you wanted to. Just as people watchling late night info-mercials grab the phone and order those exercise machines which promise to turn them into Adonis and Venus, overnight, without effort or sweat. Like your generation, those people suffer buyer's remorse too and compalin ' It didn't deliver on its promises'

Well. Sorry Life offers no refunds

Your generation has NOT had it harder than other generations. Fact

And casting blame, clinging to unrealistic expectations, sticking out the bottom lip or turning a sulky face on Life will just waste more of your generation's brief lives



.

[edit on 14-8-2010 by Dock9]

What is in parenthesis are my comments...

"We all know that times are rough for many. But I wanted to (edited: Whine piss and moan about my life) give you a picture of my generation (as if we are somehow blind).

My generation was born between 1975 and 1985. Now we are 25 or older (Really? You don't have to add for me whiner, I could have figured out your friggen age from your birth years.) We were raised by the 60's generation and we were spoiled (no, just you). Our classes in government education were a joke (once again it's not we, but you, and no, you just never read the damn book and studied), we learned about how important our self-esteem was (and you obviously made it over important), we learned that all people are equal (the Bible teaches that one, not school), we learned very little about math or science (speak for yourself).

Our parents made a ton of money in the 90's (once again, you might want to realize that your house was yours alone, not mine). While we attended high school and college (this is a fragment and not a sentence, go back to school). We graduated in the mid 2000's thinking we could run the world (only fools think this and guess what, that's was just you again). We worked hard and got a massive mortgage because we were told that investing in property was the safest thing we could do (no, WE, didn't do this, only you did and the other self important fools did this without checking what the value of their home was the years before they intended to buy it).

Now most of us are in foreclosure and looking for work (No, I'm employed and I’m not in foreclosure). The America Dream rug pulled out from beneath us (You might want to read about what “verbs” are, they make what we call “English” possible). Now we look around and realize that we live in a police state with very limited future (with “A” very limited future, and no, that's just you again.). My generation will become known as the lost generation. Poorly educated, and spoiled we were ill prepared for the adversity we face and will continue to face (Stop your friggen cry baby whining). I hope that my generation will stand strong and take this government back, but I have my doubts. We are paying the price for our parents failures (No, your paying the price of your own failures and blaming others for it because you don't want to take responsibility for your own mistakes)."

I am sick and tired of people like “You” claiming that I am like “You” and one of “You” because I happen to have been born the same years that you were. “I” am nothing like “You” and I resent that you claim that I am. “Your problem”, and it's yours alone, is that “you” are lazy, irresponsible, and irreverent towards others. “You” are blaming everyone else for “Your” mistakes and claiming “I” am the victim that “You” claim to be.

Let me tell you who I am. My parents are not to blame for my choices or laziness or any other faults that I have. I research so called investments before making them and I do so responsibly and not greedily hoping for some kind of false windfall from a so called fixed asset that a house is. A house is not a rare painting that increases in value as it ages. Children understand this, but your greed blinded you so much that you jumped into a foolish lie of a deal.

I am the kind of person who understands that “You” are the one who is at fault. It was you and your greed that caused the housing debacle. It is your laziness and pride that makes you think that you are too good for the jobs that are available now that you could have.

It is “Your” arrogance and evil that makes you claim that I am somehow you. I am nothing like you. "I" understand that “You” are the problem with this country, not your parents, not the bankers, and not the politicians, but YOU! The sooner “You” realize this, the better off “We” will be.

[edit on 14-8-2010 by Hot_Wings]

Dock9, your words are pure truth. Those who can't see it are really missing out on valuable advice. Luckily for them, time has a way of making mankind wiser, and some day they will see the truth in what you say.

Originally posted by Hot_Wings
What is in parenthesis are my comments...

"We all know that times are rough for many. But I wanted to (edited: Whine piss and moan about my life) give you a picture of my generation (as if we are somehow blind).

My generation was born between 1975 and 1985. Now we are 25 or older (Really? You don't have to add for me whiner, I could have figured out your friggen age from your birth years.) We were raised by the 60's generation and we were spoiled (no, just you). Our classes in government education were a joke (once again it's not we, but you, and no, you just never read the damn book and studied), we learned about how important our self-esteem was (and you obviously made it over important), we learned that all people are equal (the Bible teaches that one, not school), we learned very little about math or science (speak for yourself).

Our parents made a ton of money in the 90's (once again, you might want to realize that your house was yours alone, not mine). While we attended high school and college (this is a fragment and not a sentence, go back to school). We graduated in the mid 2000's thinking we could run the world (only fools think this and guess what, that's was just you again). We worked hard and got a massive mortgage because we were told that investing in property was the safest thing we could do (no, WE, didn't do this, only you did and the other self important fools did this without checking what the value of their home was the years before they intended to buy it).

Now most of us are in foreclosure and looking for work (No, I'm employed and I’m not in foreclosure). The America Dream rug pulled out from beneath us (You might want to read about what “verbs” are, they make what we call “English” possible). Now we look around and realize that we live in a police state with very limited future (with “A” very limited future, and no, that's just you again.). My generation will become known as the lost generation. Poorly educated, and spoiled we were ill prepared for the adversity we face and will continue to face (Stop your friggen cry baby whining). I hope that my generation will stand strong and take this government back, but I have my doubts. We are paying the price for our parents failures (No, your paying the price of your own failures and blaming others for it because you don't want to take responsibility for your own mistakes)."

I am sick and tired of people like “You” claiming that I am like “You” and one of “You” because I happen to have been born the same years that you were. “I” am nothing like “You” and I resent that you claim that I am. “Your problem”, and it's yours alone, is that “you” are lazy, irresponsible, and irreverent towards others. “You” are blaming everyone else for “Your” mistakes and claiming “I” am the victim that “You” claim to be.

Let me tell you who I am. My parents are not to blame for my choices or laziness or any other faults that I have. I research so called investments before making them and I do so responsibly and not greedily hoping for some kind of false windfall from a so called fixed asset that a house is. A house is not a rare painting that increases in value as it ages. Children understand this, but your greed blinded you so much that you jumped into a foolish lie of a deal.

I am the kind of person who understands that “You” are the one who is at fault. It was you and your greed that caused the housing debacle. It is your laziness and pride that makes you think that you are too good for the jobs that are available now that you could have.

It is “Your” arrogance and evil that makes you claim that I am somehow you. I am nothing like you. "I" understand that “You” are the problem with this country, not your parents, not the bankers, and not the politicians, but YOU! The sooner “You” realize this, the better off “We” will be.

[edit on 14-8-2010 by Hot_Wings]

Great response. You can tear me apart all you want. I have a job and I am pretty successful, not spoiled by parents, in fact they were pretty blue collar. I was trying to summarize my generation and what I have seen. Say what you want, but public education from 1988 on focused on self-esteem issues and social issues not math and science. Inflated housing rates did effect the people who graduated from college from 1999 to 2008. They bought homes that were thought to be a safe investment only to have the rug pulled out.

In short your post is ignorant and lacks thought.

I see your point...

Perhaps you shoulf feel resentment that you didn't grow up in my time, when kids could still go to libraries and read books...on their own, or after graduation...go to night school...by their own accord. Or learn and read about economics and make a good life for themselves.

Perhaps you would have been better served by living in the 60s like me, then you could go off to Viet Nam and enjoy the good life, or stay home and enjoy the gas lines and shortages of the 70s...maybe work alternating weeks as an alternative to getting laid off...and eat lots of fried bologna and mac n cheese...yup, those were the good old days.

Or maybe you could have lived the good life of my parents..when there was so much opportunity...like during the depression, wow...those were great times for youth...picking cooten...getting a dollar per 100 pounds picked...or walking barefoot to school...after feeding the mules, bringing in wood, getting the stove going, drawing up water...and hoeing corn after school...man, what a great time....

Oh, and then you woyuld get to graduate...go to boot camp, and travel overseas to Hitler's europe...on the government dime....wow, now those were the days.

Stop your whinning and grow up.....Life is hard sometimes and you make your life. It is YOUR life.

We all make good decisions and bad decisions..the bad just last longer, and they do go away. But you have to harden up and face them to beat them. Trust me, I have had to start over 3 times in my life, and even now...things are tough...very tough.

But in the end, we are fine and are gonna make it...

Go to night school and learn a good trade or skill...learn about investing and saving and real estate...at your age, I trust you are young, you will reap the benefits year down the road...it took me till I was 40 to finally have a successful marriage, successful life, and enjoy some of the benefits of my hard work.

If i can do it, you can to...and one day, you will look at these days as the good ol' days.

reply to post by Ace High


Well you can look on the bright side. Y ou are intelligent and articulate which is a massive plus. Be an advocate for change. talk and agitate. Don't mourn: Organise!

Feelings of powerlessness are what TPTB really want. You don't have to be a survivialist or wear funny clothes. Just ask the questions and discuss it with people. Americans are creative and have give the world socially important movements for change.

Go for it!

You can go back to study maths at community college or somewhere cheap and improve yourself and your prosepects.

[edit on 14-8-2010 by Tiger5]

reply to post by Dock9


Hello Dock9, I could not agree more with your post, I was born in 1944, in a war torn country, up to its eyes in debt to the rest of the world, I bought my parents first 'fridge, when I was 19 years old, my dad/mum never did get a car, I bought my first car when I was 25, for my wife, I never learned to drive. even these days, I still repair torn shirts, replace pants zips, buy shoes that last, never throw food away, as I only cook what I know I can eat, grow a lot of my own vegetables, if I am given any electrical appliance that works, it goes into storage until I need it.
I think that enough rambling, you all should get the point.

It's a shame more people didn't see it coming.
In 1968 I made a lifelong commitment not to father any children - the world wasn't in need of any more replacements. I was 12.

Had more people followed my example, we wouldn't have to deal with all this complaining from the youngsters that can't seem to grow past their own insecurities. I highly recommend a non-parenting life(style). No worries about leaving something for the kids - no worries about the state of the education system - no concerns about which neighborhood has the best schools or what's safe for the kids - just take care of yourselves and the planet and let the breeders keep the worries.

When your life becomes unbearable, consider "early self termination".
And after that consideration, when you've decided that living is better than not... STFU and get on with it (living that is).

It's nobody's fault how you feel about your life situation - that is entirely on the individual. Some of the happiest, healthiest people I know don"t have a car, own any land or have any kind of steady job - but they do have happy kids that are well taken care of.

OR PHRASED ANOTHER WAY

Ingore the B.S. and enjoy your life - if that seems "impossible" then either change your thinking - terminate it - or do what millions choose to do and stay miserable and feel downtrodden and complain about how bad your life is all the while draining yourself and everyone around you of positive energy.

gj

[edit on 14-8-2010 by ganjoa]

Originally posted by Ace High
We are paying the price for our parents failures.

Your generation's parents were instructed to fail you.
Failure to follow instructions was a higher crime at the time.
This thread seems to be suggesting that we all stop following.

I disagree. I think we should all suddenly become the most perfect
followers, so we can infiltrate everything and find out who is in charge
and issuing all of these messed up instructions that grow worse generationaly.


David Grouchy

[edit on 14-8-2010 by davidgrouchy]

You should be very thankful that you are even alive. 1/3 of your generation was killed by abortion.