Boomer Congress to leave "gargantuan debt burden"

So what have Bush and Congress done? They've continued to raid surplus Social Security revenue and spend it on other programs, while also creating the expensive Medicare prescription drug program. Bush's ill-conceived Social Security "reform" proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by the American public. The shame of Washington's fiscal shortsightedness is that a gargantuan debt burden is being foisted off on our children and grandchildren, Bixby told me in a visit to Fort Worth this fall. "Dick and Jane's Kids Deserve Lot More From Our Leaders Star-Telegram (Texas)

Boomers dominate top political gaffes of 2006

When asked by CQ National Security Editor Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda was Sunni or Shia, Reyes answered "they are probably both" and then ventured "probably Shia." Reyes was wrong despite having a 50-50 chance of success. (Founded by Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda is a Sunni organization.). ...Reyes was not the only congressman on the intelligence committee who had trouble with those basic questions. Republicans Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.) and Terry Everett (R-Ala.) also failed the test. "What Were the Top Political Blunders of 2006" abc13.com (Texas) Ignorance is Strength! Hail Oceania!

Newest boomer obsession: brain health

Is there hope for your hippocampus, a new lease on life for your temporal lobe? Science is not sure yet, but across the country, brain health programs are springing up, offering the possibility of a cognitive fountain of youth. From "brain gyms" on the Internet to "brain-healthy" foods and activities at assisted living centers, the programs are aimed at baby boomers anxious about their golden years and at their parents trying to stave off memory loss or dementia. "Brain-Boost Programs Play on Fear of Aging by Boomers" Houston Chronicle

Enough already! 60's still define US political debate

Yet today’s culture war can be seen as just an updated version of the one we were having thirty and forty years ago. The religious, social, political and cultural divides of today still concern the same fundamental issues, a great many of which revolve around sex. To oversimplify a bit, America is divided between people who think that sex is a natural part of life, and you should be able to do it with pretty much whoever you please; and people who think sex is dirty and sinful and they should be able to tell you whom you can do it with and how. (Not to mention the fact that we’ve got our own updated Vietnam—and once again, the liberals were right and the conservatives were wrong). The passing of one generation of politicians is unlikely to change that. I’d be surprised if we aren’t still arguing about sex twenty years from now. And even if baby boomer politicians are getting long in the tooth, baby boomer voters—and even plenty of their parents—will still be heading to the polls for some time to come. According to the U.S. census, in 2004 there were 113 million voting-eligible Americans between the ages of 18 and 44—those born after 1960—compared to 107 million born before 1960, the boomers and their parents. The post-boomers are now a majority, but their elders are still calling the shots. "The Hippie Era Just Won't Die" TomPaine.com

Age-conscious critics laud implausible 'Rocky' sequel

Rocky Balboa did well enough in today's reviews, perhaps a reflection of a generation of reviewers sharing his age (60) and not seeing anything silly about an old man with his shirt off beating up a guy half his age. Or perhaps the fact that there are youngsters who never saw the 30 year old original were thrilled to see him pound those sides of beef and take his walker up those steps. Needless to say, I find the myth he's created interesting, but the movie to be sad, tired piffle. "Rocky Earns Mostly Good Notices From Aging Baby Boomer Critics" Orlando Sentinel (Movies with Roger Moore)

Boomers: older but not necessarily wiser

The boomers have had things their own way for so long that it must seem like an entitlement. Now they want to redefine old age - 60 is the new 40 - with lifts, tucks, Botox, personal trainers, teeth whiteners, chemical peels, etc. They are afraid a society that worships youth can never develop a deep and meaningful relationship with those who are no longer young. They forget that they were the reason society first started worshiping youth. Their demographic bulge created a marketing imperative. Their pursuit of eternal youth keeps that marketing evolving to satisfy their whims. "Change 'Old Age' To Cool Age" Arizona Republic