In Defense of Baby Boomers

What We Got Right and Why the Blame Game is Misguided

I am a baby boomer squinting at seventy-six like an old jukebox that still owes me one last song. My life? A psychedelic rollercoaster with no seatbelt—sometimes soaring, sometimes plummeting, but never, not once, boring. I’ve surfed the tidal waves of history, dodged the undertow of regret, and danced through the wreckage of the American Dream, barefoot and grinning. Change? I’ve seen it all—some of it electric, some of it gut-wrenching, all of it a damn good story.

I came of age in a world that was shifting beneath my feet. I remember the optimism of the ’50s, the rebellious spirit of the ’60s, and the turbulent awakenings of the ’70s. I saw music transform from doo-wop to rock and roll, from jazz to fusion, and then into something entirely new with each passing generation.

I’ve had my fair share of adventures—some planned, others entirely unexpected. I’ve loved deeply, lost painfully, and learned that time is both a thief and a gift. The lessons came in waves: resilience, forgiveness, the importance of humor, and the ever-present truth that change is the only constant.

As I stand on the cusp of seventy-six, I don’t feel old—I feel seasoned. I feel the weight of experience but also the lightness of wisdom, the kind that allows me to laugh at the things that once kept me up at night. The world still surprises me, still calls me to be curious, still urges me to create, to explore, to love.

And so, I move forward—not slowing down, but savoring every step.

Sadly, I must report that it has become fashionable to blame baby boomers, my generation, for everything that’s wrong with society. From economic inequality to climate change, younger generations paint us as a selfish, short-sighted group that hoarded wealth, wrecked the planet, and left a mess for Millennials and Gen Z to clean up.

This narrative, while emotionally satisfying, is not just oversimplified—it’s fundamentally unfair. The reality is far more nuanced. We are not a monolithic group, nor are we solely responsible for the world’s problems. In fact, many of the freedoms, rights, and opportunities that younger generations enjoy today are a direct result of our struggles, sacrifices, and activism.

Let’s take a closer look at the criticisms leveled against boomers and why they don’t hold up under historical scrutiny.

The Economic Myth: Did Boomers Really Hoard Wealth?

One of the biggest criticisms against boomers is that we “hoarded wealth” while younger generations struggle with stagnant wages, skyrocketing home prices, and crushing student debt. This argument ignores several key factors.

We didn’t inherit wealth, we built it. We were born into a post-war economy that was far from stable. Many of us grew up in modest households, often raised by parents who had lived through the Great Depression and World War II. The economic prosperity of the mid-20th century didn’t just fall into our laps—it was built through hard work, industrial expansion, and labor movements.

Take, for example, the auto industry boom in Detroit, which provided stable, union-backed jobs to millions. These jobs allowed working-class boomers to buy homes and send their children to college. However, deindustrialization in the 1980s and 1990s led to the collapse of these industries—something younger generations wrongly blame on boomers when, in reality, it was the result of corporate decisions to outsource jobs overseas.

Boomers and Labor Rights

Boomers played a critical role in strengthening the labor movement, pushing for higher wages, safer working conditions, and union protections. The 1970s and 1980s saw some of the most intense labor battles in American history, such as the United Farm Workers movement, which secured better wages for agricultural laborers, and the PATCO strike of 1981, which, despite ending in mass firings by Ronald Reagan, galvanized public support for workers’ rights.

If younger generations are struggling with poor wages and gig economy jobs, it’s not because boomers stole their wealth, but because corporate deregulation—starting in the 1980s—gradually weakened labor protections that boomers had fought to establish.

About home ownership, well it’s complex. Yes, homes were more affordable in the 1960s and 1970s, but that was also due to different lending practices and economic conditions. In fact, homeownership rates have not changed significantly between boomers and Millennials—it’s just that economic priorities have shifted. Today’s younger generations are more likely to delay homeownership in favor of renting, living in urban centers, or prioritizing experiences over material investments.

The Environmental Accusation: Boomers Wrecked the Planet?

Younger generations often claim that boomers were reckless environmental destroyers who ignored climate change. But they conveniently forget that we started the modern environmental movement.

Boomers Created the First Wave of Environmental Protections including: The Clean Air Act (1970), which reduced air pollution and smog in major cities; The Clean Water Act (1972) which cleaned up polluted rivers and lakes; The Endangered Species Act (1973) which protected wildlife from extinction; and, The Superfund Act (1980) which forced corporations to clean up toxic waste sites. None of these existed before the activism of boomers demanded government action.

Boomers and Renewable Energy

The solar and wind energy industries exist today because of early investments by boomers. In the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House, a symbolic move that sparked early research into renewables.

It was younger generations—not boomers—who later failed to prioritize climate policies, allowing fossil fuel companies to maintain dominance in the 1990s and 2000s. If Millennials and Gen Z want a cleaner world, they should fight for it with the same energy we had in the 1970s rather than blaming an older generation.

Social Progress: Boomers Were the Architects of Change

Younger generations often take social progress for granted, forgetting that we fought for and secured these rights.

Boomers and Women’s Rights: The second-wave feminist movement was led by boomers and brought: The Equal Pay Act (1963); The Title IX Education Amendments (1972); and, The Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision (1973).

Women today enjoy career opportunities that didn’t exist before boomers demanded change.

Boomers and Civil Rights

Boomers played a major role in ending racial segregation and securing voting rights with: The Civil Rights Act of 1964; The Voting Rights Act of 1965; and The Fair Housing Act of 1968

These laws changed America forever. Younger generations today benefit from freedoms that we fought and even died for.

The “Boomers Won’t Let Go of Power”

Some claim boomers refuse to step aside in politics. But the truth is: who keeps electing them? Millennials and Gen Z have lower voter turnout rates than any previous generation. If younger people want different leaders, they need to vote them in.

Moreover, many of the politicians fighting for progressive policies today are boomers like Bernie Sanders (b. 1941) who pushed for Medicare for All and free college and Elizabeth Warren (b. 1949) who continues to fight for financial regulation.

The problem isn’t that boomers won’t let go—it’s that younger people aren’t stepping up to replace them.

The Toxic “OK Boomer” Mentality

The phrase “OK Boomer” has become a viral way for younger generations to dismiss older ones as out-of-touch. But this attitude shuts down dialogue and prevents collaboration. Boosting generational division actually serves to distract from real issues.

The wealth gap isn’t between boomers and younger people—it’s between the ultra-rich and everyone else. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are not struggling boomers living on Social Security—they’re billionaires who exploit workers across all age groups.

Boomers and younger generations alike want a fair economy, environmental protection and social justice. Instead of fighting each other, we should be working together.

A Call for Unity

The world isn’t perfect. But if you think it’s bad now, imagine where we’d be if boomers hadn’t fought for the rights, protections, and opportunities we have today.

It’s time to move beyond generational blame and start working together. The challenges of the 21st century—climate change, income inequality, social justice—require intergenerational cooperation, not finger-pointing. There’s more than enough of that going on from the billionaires who are now in charge of the government. Boomers aren’t the enemy. If anything, we’ve left behind a legacy of activism that younger generations should learn from and build upon.

Of course, now that we’re in the Trump era, and in many ways, the challenges are greater than ever. Instead of moving forward, in a normal progression, we’re taking giant leaps backward.

Donald Trump’s habitual dishonesty, divisive rhetoric, and impulsive behavior make positive change nearly impossible. He prioritizes personal gain and loyalty over truth and accountability, fostering a culture of misinformation and hostility. His lack of empathy, penchant for bullying, and tendency to blame others for failures have repeatedly undermined constructive dialogue and social unity. Furthermore, his ego-driven need for constant praise and refusal to accept responsibility have contributed to chaotic leadership and deep political polarization.

And we’re less than two months into his second and final (?) term. I hate to say this, but I have to. The best thing would be for him to drop dead as soon as possible, of natural causes. That’s the only way this nightmare ends. Until his departure, in plain English, we are fucked.

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On Friday, a savage journey in the heart of insomnia, a tribute to one of my mentors, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.

Until we meet again, let your conscience be your guide.