Measured in gold, the dollar has lost 99.111% of its value since 1971. We got the full value of the dollar 54 years ago. Our children get only a chemical trace of it.
I don't know about you guys but as a boomer I worked my butt off starting at age 15. I have worked my whole life, as have most of our dear readers. I got myself well educated and into a professional field. I told my three sons that they must separate themselves within their generation, i.e. they must have more and better negoitionable skills than their generation peers. They listen and they acted. I have very a successful IP attorney at the partner level, a police chief of city with 50 thousands citizens and an entrepreneur with multiple businesses. All of whom are below 50 years of age, and all of whom have more higher net worth than me. So yeah, I agree it is harder to find sucess in today's economy but it is still possible. Oh, yeah none of my boys knocked up anyone in high school, they all have been married 1 time only, and they all got themselves educated so there is that. You can still do what you want in America but you better have a great work ethic.
My 40 year old has a skill and a job that AI cannot do, with clients all over the world. In the US and Mexico he takes to the road in his van and his company pays for all his travels. He was also got a scholarship to ski for a college ski team that won two national championships. And he’s a Midwest kid.
Our youngest son owns his own business and lives in a cabin in the middle of the woods, that he and his wife built. He did not go to college. Waste of time he said. He was correct.
Let’s see. I’m a Generation Jones Boomer. I had a paper route when I was 8. At 12 I caddied. At 16 I worked in a restaurant. I did that all the way through college, which I paid for myself. I worked a full time job and went to law school at night, with a wife and two small kids. Our first mortgage was 17%. We had no furniture for years. We drive 15 year old vehicles. I lost a million dollars not once, but twice.
We had raging inflation in the late 70s. 1987. 1991. 2001. 2008. 2020. 5 kicks in the balls, during our prime earning years.
My message to all the younger generation whiners.
Everybody has a cross to bear. Some can wear it well. Some don’t.
For both Tom and MoodyP, appreciate the perspectives. You guys and your parenting and examples set are unfortunately the outlier of your generation, as Bill alludes too.
Son of boomers here. They at one stage were quite wealthy and doing well. Then came alcohol, horses and gambling. Then followed the affairs and the squandering of it all on “get rich quick” schemes, keeping up with the Jones and the booze. They died divorced, and remarried, and in one case with virtually nothing except a maxed out credit card debt.
Not an excuse by any means but not an easy foundation to build from. And even with some success, a house paid off and some gold here and there, my kids with a far better, stable example have no chance of “working/studying hard” and buying even a home at this rate. Wouldn’t even matter if they were lawyers or doctors in Australia (where we are)
The debt of the education, and the gigantic debt of a house purchase for even a modest dwelling puts them miles behind the boomer generation.
Yep. Our fearless leaders will fight to the death over need to use ever-expanding lists of pronouns--or not. Mention the constitutionally required hard money and all you'll hear is crickets.
Well Bill, I think your piece today is a good summary of where we bommer's ( I am 79) are in the great food chain. We had jobs where wages grew, houses appreciated nicely, and in many cases were able to save and invest and grow out IRA's. Now with "maybe" 20 years left we need to be concerned about hanging onto what we have. The younger folks (including my 5 grandchildren) do not have the bright path forward we had. I expect some severe pushback ahead. A cold wind is building up!
And when we Boomers croak those assets will all go to our kids. Maybe that will help the wealth divide. Unless they have student loans then the banks get it.
Unless the US$ blows up and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing said in the 1960s America's "Exorbitant Privilege" goes asunder. With $40T of U.S. government debt and rising by $3T yearly now and when combining all public and private debt across every sector — households, businesses, and governments — total U.S. debt reached $102 trillion as of 2024, up from just $28.6 trillion in 2000. This is roughly 719% of GDP and climbing. Does anyone think this may be a bit excessive?
I don’t buy the narrative. The Great Society, Vietnam and decoupling the dollar from gold are NOT the responsibility of Boomers. Those corrosive elements began the rotting and rusting of our culture and our financial systems. Efforts to reverse the corrosion have failed thanks to stupid and malicious wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Fed, treasury and Wall Street bailing out irresponsible gamblers at the expense of all current generations. As a reminder, Boomers’ contributions to Social Security from every paycheck were matched by employer contributions. Someone has likely done this math, but after compounding over our working lives, it seems there should be no shortage of funds for us.
Gets into a deeper examination of how much control any of us individually or as a generation have on how it is determined who runs for office. We’ve had responsible individuals in Congress who tried to rein in spending, but they could never overcome lobbyists’ and the big money they represented. So special interests keep winning the battles, and all of us will lose the war.
Are they a reflection of our society as a whole or just the sociopathic elements of our society? Do you believe that the CONgress and presidents actually represent society? Case in point - the war against Iran. Polls showed 80% of the public were against the war. Another example, the public overwhelming opposed the bailout of the Banksters in 2008/9 but CONgress and the president approved it.
In the words of a wise man "No matter who you vote for President you get a John McCain.
51% anyway, but no, people who aspire to public office - obviously there are exceptions - usually represent do-gooders, not our whole society. Once in office one must toe the line or face emasculation of sorts.
Speaking of national elections, do you think that candidates such as Clinton, Biden, Obama, Trump, McCain, etc were do-gooders. Obama immediately appointed a cabinet chosen in large part by Citi Bank and Trump appointed the Soros protege, Scott Bessent, who made his money causing economic chaos by speculating on local currencies plus the evil speculator and Epstein Island Guest Howard Lutnick. Perhaps I'm too clinical but I believe that sociopaths not do-gooders are attracted to public office.
Yes, yes there are but the truth be told American education, guided by the socolist- communist unions, has turned our youth into American hating ignorant useful idiots whom on their best days march in streets with placards confirming their ignorance.
Massie was an anti-Semite and of course so are you Bill. If Israel controls the U.S. why didn’t Israel have any say in the Iran negotiations. Trump threw Israel under the bus. And guess what Massie didn’t lose because of Jewish money he lost because he’s a dumbass like you and the voters were smart enough to know it.
If Israel has no control over the US, why did Marco Rubio state they we attacked Iran because we knew Israel was going to attack them and we wanted to prevent counterattack casualties?
If Israel has no control over the US why did Ben Give say Israel will not permit the US toake a bad deal with Iran.
In both cases the US could simply tell Israel to pound sand, especially the attack on Iran. Rubio could have told Israel if you attack all US aid to Israel immediately ceases.
Hey Abdul (I mean Carter)… WTF are you talking about.. Ben Givr having control over Trump or Rubio.. You are as delusional and just as much of a anti-Semite as Bonner
Richard, your vicious ad hominem attack on Bill and Thomas Massie adds little to support your opinion. Are you certain that Israel has had no say in the negotiations?
It would appear to the majority of polled Americans that Trump was encouraged into this poorly planned military adventure by Netanyahu. Trump is now desperately seeking a way out without leaving egg on his face.
We can but wait for history to show whether, what would appear to be a reckless decision, was right or wrong. I fear the latter.
Unfortunately the world's Jewish people are suffering as a result, no making of their own, with Israel's brutality under the spotlight.
Is real IS Jewish people.. Anti-Zionism is anti-Jew.. you’re in the same boat as Bonner and Massie (good riddance).. Am Yisrael Chai.. if your family was slaughtered what would you do Abdul? (Andrew)
Those being slaughtered appear to be the Palestinians who are the original inhabitants of that land and not the European Jews who have colonised the territory under the "Right of return" after the Holocaust. What should they do Dick? Sit back as second class citizens and watch the land of their forefathers taken by force?
The Netanyahu Zionists are giving the majoritymof good Jews a very bad name There are many Jews that realise this and are starting to speak up.
I find it sad that the Jewish people in Australia where I live are suffering anti-semitic attacks for the brutal bombing, killing and destrution caused by the IDF. Maybe you too should open your eyes and see what is happening through Netanyahu's pursuit of establishing a greater Iseael through force.
Mr. Redstone, You ought to be afraid of many of your fellow Jewish Americans who continue to vote 2-to-1 for so many Jew-hating Democrats; especially since Pres. Biden took office. This is something I just can't understand. Hopefully, this will radically change come Nov. 2026 & Nov. 2028. And about the Iranian situation: what folks on the left and right don't point out, and should, is that Israel was willing to put their military folks in harm's way in this conflict, yet few Iranian dissidents have tried to overthrow the mullahs who have murdered thousands of them. I have to believe the CIA and Mossad have offered them all kinds of aid, including military aid, yet not much effort from them. Maybe this will change for the better at some point, just like far more American Jews voting GOP.
Sadly, I agree with you to an extent. I don’t think the ratio is as high as 2-1 voting Jewish Americans voting for Jew hating Dems. Massie got kicked out on his ass but it is problematic that a reported 27% of Jews voted for a Shia Twelver Mamdani. Talk about digging your own grave. What the rebel Iranians need is serious weaponry and training. You say the Massad is going to give it to them… doubtful. It does appear Trump (who I voted for) is throwing Israel under the bus with no representation with peace talks with Iran. Am Yisrael Chai
It was the generations that ran the world between 1950 and 1980 that are most responsible for the decline of America IMO. That would be the Greatest Generation and the Silent Generation. The Reagan years were a Chimera, the calm before the storm when everything that had been sown in the 1960s and 1970s would be “reaped”. The Baby Boomers bear some responsibility but they don’t sit at the top of the list as they were simply not running the world when it mattered the most.
How about we place some blame on good ol' Woodie Wilson? Not only did he usher in the Federal Reserve, one of the main causes of our decline, but also managed to run a successful propaganda campaign to get the US into WWI - despite the fact that he campaigned against entry.
Just goes to show that voting has very little effect in national policies.
Brien, I agree, as did my late father, who, fortunately for his sake, died a little before the 21st Century, when the outsourcing of good jobs and the enormous debt to prop it up, began, and continues (although Pres. Trump is trying to lay the groundwork to slow down the debt train and slow down the outsourcing).
My father, like you, blamed most of the problems on the 1960s and 1970s when David Rockefeller (or “Lord David” as my father used to call him) and his one-worlder chums successfully pushed leftist ideology into public schools, news media, and entertainment throughout the U.S. This took hold then and has steadily increased until now. My father said the strategic brilliance of Lord David’s plan could be summed up as “gradualism.” In other words, to be patient and grow it gradually in these critical areas over decades. And as conservative folk like John Birch Society writers and Dr. Michael Savage insightfully pointed out around the turn of the century, Lord David and his allies also supported, via public schools, media, and entertainment, a radical-leftist fringe, beginning in the 1970s, to not only distract from gradualism-to-the-left, but to enable gradualist-liberals like Lord David to publicly oppose these folks’ radicalism while gradually pushing the U.S. toward what these radicals desired.
Bill; Thanks for the notes from the farm over the weekend. I bought a little wine and got caught up with what was happening in the Calchaqui Valley. I imagine getting stuck there through Covid wasn't in your master plan but as a lifetime time farmer I enjoyed your notes everyday. If she was so inclined, it would be nice to see an update from your daughter every once in a while, just to keep up. PS; my life experience is "it's always better to farm with money than for money"
From my perspective the descriptions of low time preference or high time preference do more to confuse the issue rather than explain it. I'm not surprised the younger folks liked Massie better as he doesn't want to print more money and devalue the dollar, which to the younger folks means they can hardly save since the dollars become worth less with time. On the other hand they might be living within a communist regime or socialist regime which means they won't have anything at all as government takes it all away from them. Or one would be more likely to live within a regime which forces one to take vaccines that are experimenting with one's genes and causing sudden deaths so that their political friends could sell vaccines and make billions. Not to mention their loss of freedom to speak their minds, like we experienced with Biden in the White House. Or to put it more precisely that freedom of speech which obviously Biden tried to remove or control to his political desires. Same as socialism always tries to implement.
Obivously there is no great solution to the debt problem the US faces but if the dollar is devalued then those that lose most are those holding "dollars". That is the boomers. In that sense it is the best solution to the debt problem as they are the ones holding the bag.
Mr. Mackinac, Excellent points about the alternative. I got to the point that I couldn't tolerate New Bill's cherry-picking of stats and generalizations, so I only read him once a week most of 2026 so far. But my cousin told me that, lately, the more insightful and detailed Old Bill had returned for awhile, so I resumed reading his essays more often. And Old Bill had in fact returned---until this essay where he has returned to cherry-picking stats and generalizing. He used to spend a week's worth of essays on one major issue. Today he generalized about two major issues (Baby Boomers vs. Younger Set) and U.S.-Israel relations in just one essay.
About Bill's essay today, Bill writes as if the Baby Boomers never pass down their good fortune to their younger relatives, which is nonsense. I would estimate that a majority of Baby Boomers, including Bill and Elizabeth, have helped their younger relatives, not just with outright financing, but probably with housing, transportation, food, clothing, entertainment, utilities, insurance, etc. And then there are trillions in inheritance from tens of millions of Baby Boomers to their offspring when the Baby Boomers die. A goodly amount of Social Security money passes from recipients down to younger folk right now. And Medicare and Medicare Advantage spending employs or partially employs millions of health care workers, such as younger doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, nurses, dental hygienists/assistants, health care techs, administrators, clerks, construction workers, etc. Trillions (and IOUs, unfortunately) constantly cycle through the U.S. economic system. Bill KNOWS THIS and could have at least prefaced his condemnation of Baby Boomers with this significant caveat. And yes, my Baby Boomer generation has made some incredibly stupid blunders. But more analysis from Bill would be appreciated here. (I repeat: Money cycles through an economic system.)
About the Israeli matter: I have major problems with Israel Firsters; and American Jews voting 2-to-1 for Democrats, most who seem to hate Jews. In Israel, Jews and Muslims can freely criticize their govt. without being tortured in some basement or jailed as in so many Muslim countries. Israel has to keep a wall up to not only block Muslim terrorists, but good Muslims who just want freedom and earn a good living, from pouring into tiny Israel and overwhelming its infrastructure. Can most Muslim countries say the same? And AIPAC contributes only a small percentage of the total campaign donations during every national U.S. election. Much of the donations are contributed by labor unions and corporations, together employing tens of millions of U.S. workers. Jobs, jobs, jobs...
Really comforting (sarcasm) to be BLAMED for being born in a certain year & NOT receiving the perks. It was the greedy ones that came before me that created all the problems we have now.
There is a problem with the idea that the debt can be just written off. Remember that all US citizens with 401k? and etc. is a part of that debt in that the instos lend that money buying bonds from the US Gov. If it were to be defaulted on then you'all be without your retirement money. It will, therefore, never happen. Only inflating the debt is possible.
You inaccurately claim that $32 million is what it cost to unseat Massie. I have heard that Massie’s campaign spent around $$14 million against $17-$18 million by his opponent. So, although big money from out of state was in play for sure, it wasn’t all on one side. The total bill for both sides was 32 million.
The boomers are not exactly whom to blame. The policies allowing everyone to vote created voting blocks that were malleable and manipulated to create ideas that sounded good on paper but were and are reckless in reality. The boomers just happen to ripen when many forces and influences converged within a couple of decades. An example, JFK was the first televised presidential debate, reportedly won because he was handsome and women voting had finally taken root.
We were all told that democracy is a good thing and it causes freedom. However, what is freeing about 3 wolves and a sheep holding an election of what's for dinner. Everyone's voice, actually does not matter. Coca-Cola does not poll the forklift drivers and delivery drivers of their opinion on how to run the company. Why? because they have not earned the position to guide it. Just because you breathe does not mean you are capable of deciding on how to guide a country. In fact, with the millions of people selflessly destroying their own lives in our country, why would we want their input on important matters regarding our own?
I dont blame the boomers, I blame their fathers and grandfathers that let freedom slip.
And yes, I firmly believe that the majority of people who oppose “aid” to Israel are anti-Semitic. As Germany proved in the 1930s Jews are the canaries in the cold mines. Don’t let Islam in or they’ll be coming for the Sunday people after they take care of the Saturday people.
I don't know about you guys but as a boomer I worked my butt off starting at age 15. I have worked my whole life, as have most of our dear readers. I got myself well educated and into a professional field. I told my three sons that they must separate themselves within their generation, i.e. they must have more and better negoitionable skills than their generation peers. They listen and they acted. I have very a successful IP attorney at the partner level, a police chief of city with 50 thousands citizens and an entrepreneur with multiple businesses. All of whom are below 50 years of age, and all of whom have more higher net worth than me. So yeah, I agree it is harder to find sucess in today's economy but it is still possible. Oh, yeah none of my boys knocked up anyone in high school, they all have been married 1 time only, and they all got themselves educated so there is that. You can still do what you want in America but you better have a great work ethic.
Bravo!
My 40 year old has a skill and a job that AI cannot do, with clients all over the world. In the US and Mexico he takes to the road in his van and his company pays for all his travels. He was also got a scholarship to ski for a college ski team that won two national championships. And he’s a Midwest kid.
Our youngest son owns his own business and lives in a cabin in the middle of the woods, that he and his wife built. He did not go to college. Waste of time he said. He was correct.
Let’s see. I’m a Generation Jones Boomer. I had a paper route when I was 8. At 12 I caddied. At 16 I worked in a restaurant. I did that all the way through college, which I paid for myself. I worked a full time job and went to law school at night, with a wife and two small kids. Our first mortgage was 17%. We had no furniture for years. We drive 15 year old vehicles. I lost a million dollars not once, but twice.
We had raging inflation in the late 70s. 1987. 1991. 2001. 2008. 2020. 5 kicks in the balls, during our prime earning years.
My message to all the younger generation whiners.
Everybody has a cross to bear. Some can wear it well. Some don’t.
Your kids are wearing theirs well. So are mine.
The ones that aren’t need to look in the mirror.
Kudos to you, Tom!
For both Tom and MoodyP, appreciate the perspectives. You guys and your parenting and examples set are unfortunately the outlier of your generation, as Bill alludes too.
Son of boomers here. They at one stage were quite wealthy and doing well. Then came alcohol, horses and gambling. Then followed the affairs and the squandering of it all on “get rich quick” schemes, keeping up with the Jones and the booze. They died divorced, and remarried, and in one case with virtually nothing except a maxed out credit card debt.
Not an excuse by any means but not an easy foundation to build from. And even with some success, a house paid off and some gold here and there, my kids with a far better, stable example have no chance of “working/studying hard” and buying even a home at this rate. Wouldn’t even matter if they were lawyers or doctors in Australia (where we are)
The debt of the education, and the gigantic debt of a house purchase for even a modest dwelling puts them miles behind the boomer generation.
Yep. Our fearless leaders will fight to the death over need to use ever-expanding lists of pronouns--or not. Mention the constitutionally required hard money and all you'll hear is crickets.
Well Bill, I think your piece today is a good summary of where we bommer's ( I am 79) are in the great food chain. We had jobs where wages grew, houses appreciated nicely, and in many cases were able to save and invest and grow out IRA's. Now with "maybe" 20 years left we need to be concerned about hanging onto what we have. The younger folks (including my 5 grandchildren) do not have the bright path forward we had. I expect some severe pushback ahead. A cold wind is building up!
Jim Marshall
And when we Boomers croak those assets will all go to our kids. Maybe that will help the wealth divide. Unless they have student loans then the banks get it.
Unless the US$ blows up and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing said in the 1960s America's "Exorbitant Privilege" goes asunder. With $40T of U.S. government debt and rising by $3T yearly now and when combining all public and private debt across every sector — households, businesses, and governments — total U.S. debt reached $102 trillion as of 2024, up from just $28.6 trillion in 2000. This is roughly 719% of GDP and climbing. Does anyone think this may be a bit excessive?
Not if greedy guvment fingers heavily tax that too.
Most likely, the wealth will end in the hospital or long term care home.
The need for physical vocational skills has likely never been more.
If I were young, I would take on plumbing, electrical or some hands-on trade.
With today's ability to market oneself...
This is likely one of the best times ever to start a small service trade business.
I don’t buy the narrative. The Great Society, Vietnam and decoupling the dollar from gold are NOT the responsibility of Boomers. Those corrosive elements began the rotting and rusting of our culture and our financial systems. Efforts to reverse the corrosion have failed thanks to stupid and malicious wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Fed, treasury and Wall Street bailing out irresponsible gamblers at the expense of all current generations. As a reminder, Boomers’ contributions to Social Security from every paycheck were matched by employer contributions. Someone has likely done this math, but after compounding over our working lives, it seems there should be no shortage of funds for us.
The elected ones are a reflection of our society, so, to poorly paraphrase, the enemy is us.
Gets into a deeper examination of how much control any of us individually or as a generation have on how it is determined who runs for office. We’ve had responsible individuals in Congress who tried to rein in spending, but they could never overcome lobbyists’ and the big money they represented. So special interests keep winning the battles, and all of us will lose the war.
True that!
You have perfectly described the inherent weakness of democracy.
Are they a reflection of our society as a whole or just the sociopathic elements of our society? Do you believe that the CONgress and presidents actually represent society? Case in point - the war against Iran. Polls showed 80% of the public were against the war. Another example, the public overwhelming opposed the bailout of the Banksters in 2008/9 but CONgress and the president approved it.
In the words of a wise man "No matter who you vote for President you get a John McCain.
51% anyway, but no, people who aspire to public office - obviously there are exceptions - usually represent do-gooders, not our whole society. Once in office one must toe the line or face emasculation of sorts.
Speaking of national elections, do you think that candidates such as Clinton, Biden, Obama, Trump, McCain, etc were do-gooders. Obama immediately appointed a cabinet chosen in large part by Citi Bank and Trump appointed the Soros protege, Scott Bessent, who made his money causing economic chaos by speculating on local currencies plus the evil speculator and Epstein Island Guest Howard Lutnick. Perhaps I'm too clinical but I believe that sociopaths not do-gooders are attracted to public office.
And 90% of Congress are or were lawyers. that tells you something.
Agree. The former tend to outnumber the latter.
The very desire to become a politician should automatically disqualify you from being one.
Tom Massie a good example. Not castrated but booted out by the zionist lobby. Very sad
A stupid, arrogant, lazy, greedy and ignorant us!!
Well, there are exceptions, if you can find them, usually hidden away off the well-worn ruts of both public & higher ed.
Yes, yes there are but the truth be told American education, guided by the socolist- communist unions, has turned our youth into American hating ignorant useful idiots whom on their best days march in streets with placards confirming their ignorance.
Massie was an anti-Semite and of course so are you Bill. If Israel controls the U.S. why didn’t Israel have any say in the Iran negotiations. Trump threw Israel under the bus. And guess what Massie didn’t lose because of Jewish money he lost because he’s a dumbass like you and the voters were smart enough to know it.
If Israel has no control over the US, why did Marco Rubio state they we attacked Iran because we knew Israel was going to attack them and we wanted to prevent counterattack casualties?
If Israel has no control over the US why did Ben Give say Israel will not permit the US toake a bad deal with Iran.
In both cases the US could simply tell Israel to pound sand, especially the attack on Iran. Rubio could have told Israel if you attack all US aid to Israel immediately ceases.
Hey Abdul (I mean Carter)… WTF are you talking about.. Ben Givr having control over Trump or Rubio.. You are as delusional and just as much of a anti-Semite as Bonner
Richard, your vicious ad hominem attack on Bill and Thomas Massie adds little to support your opinion. Are you certain that Israel has had no say in the negotiations?
It would appear to the majority of polled Americans that Trump was encouraged into this poorly planned military adventure by Netanyahu. Trump is now desperately seeking a way out without leaving egg on his face.
We can but wait for history to show whether, what would appear to be a reckless decision, was right or wrong. I fear the latter.
Unfortunately the world's Jewish people are suffering as a result, no making of their own, with Israel's brutality under the spotlight.
Is real IS Jewish people.. Anti-Zionism is anti-Jew.. you’re in the same boat as Bonner and Massie (good riddance).. Am Yisrael Chai.. if your family was slaughtered what would you do Abdul? (Andrew)
Those being slaughtered appear to be the Palestinians who are the original inhabitants of that land and not the European Jews who have colonised the territory under the "Right of return" after the Holocaust. What should they do Dick? Sit back as second class citizens and watch the land of their forefathers taken by force?
The Netanyahu Zionists are giving the majoritymof good Jews a very bad name There are many Jews that realise this and are starting to speak up.
I find it sad that the Jewish people in Australia where I live are suffering anti-semitic attacks for the brutal bombing, killing and destrution caused by the IDF. Maybe you too should open your eyes and see what is happening through Netanyahu's pursuit of establishing a greater Iseael through force.
You Australians especially you are simple Jew hating asswipes.
Have you actually read any history Abdul/Andrew? An Yisrael Chai. Eat Shiite and diedeediedie
We generally support open and spirited conversation but reserve the right to exercise our discretion when comments are uncivil or vulgar.
A rough patch for anti-semites? Hardly.. it’s the greatest time since 1930s to be an anti-Semite.. I’m Jewish and I fear for my children.
Do you believe that everyone who opposes US tax dollars being sent to Israel is antisemetic, even if they happen to be Jewish?
Mr. Redstone, You ought to be afraid of many of your fellow Jewish Americans who continue to vote 2-to-1 for so many Jew-hating Democrats; especially since Pres. Biden took office. This is something I just can't understand. Hopefully, this will radically change come Nov. 2026 & Nov. 2028. And about the Iranian situation: what folks on the left and right don't point out, and should, is that Israel was willing to put their military folks in harm's way in this conflict, yet few Iranian dissidents have tried to overthrow the mullahs who have murdered thousands of them. I have to believe the CIA and Mossad have offered them all kinds of aid, including military aid, yet not much effort from them. Maybe this will change for the better at some point, just like far more American Jews voting GOP.
Mr. Westmoreland,
Sadly, I agree with you to an extent. I don’t think the ratio is as high as 2-1 voting Jewish Americans voting for Jew hating Dems. Massie got kicked out on his ass but it is problematic that a reported 27% of Jews voted for a Shia Twelver Mamdani. Talk about digging your own grave. What the rebel Iranians need is serious weaponry and training. You say the Massad is going to give it to them… doubtful. It does appear Trump (who I voted for) is throwing Israel under the bus with no representation with peace talks with Iran. Am Yisrael Chai
Younger demographics in Kentucky should have voted rather than bitch on social media. 67% of not many ain't much.
It was the generations that ran the world between 1950 and 1980 that are most responsible for the decline of America IMO. That would be the Greatest Generation and the Silent Generation. The Reagan years were a Chimera, the calm before the storm when everything that had been sown in the 1960s and 1970s would be “reaped”. The Baby Boomers bear some responsibility but they don’t sit at the top of the list as they were simply not running the world when it mattered the most.
How about we place some blame on good ol' Woodie Wilson? Not only did he usher in the Federal Reserve, one of the main causes of our decline, but also managed to run a successful propaganda campaign to get the US into WWI - despite the fact that he campaigned against entry.
Just goes to show that voting has very little effect in national policies.
Brien, I agree, as did my late father, who, fortunately for his sake, died a little before the 21st Century, when the outsourcing of good jobs and the enormous debt to prop it up, began, and continues (although Pres. Trump is trying to lay the groundwork to slow down the debt train and slow down the outsourcing).
My father, like you, blamed most of the problems on the 1960s and 1970s when David Rockefeller (or “Lord David” as my father used to call him) and his one-worlder chums successfully pushed leftist ideology into public schools, news media, and entertainment throughout the U.S. This took hold then and has steadily increased until now. My father said the strategic brilliance of Lord David’s plan could be summed up as “gradualism.” In other words, to be patient and grow it gradually in these critical areas over decades. And as conservative folk like John Birch Society writers and Dr. Michael Savage insightfully pointed out around the turn of the century, Lord David and his allies also supported, via public schools, media, and entertainment, a radical-leftist fringe, beginning in the 1970s, to not only distract from gradualism-to-the-left, but to enable gradualist-liberals like Lord David to publicly oppose these folks’ radicalism while gradually pushing the U.S. toward what these radicals desired.
Bill; Thanks for the notes from the farm over the weekend. I bought a little wine and got caught up with what was happening in the Calchaqui Valley. I imagine getting stuck there through Covid wasn't in your master plan but as a lifetime time farmer I enjoyed your notes everyday. If she was so inclined, it would be nice to see an update from your daughter every once in a while, just to keep up. PS; my life experience is "it's always better to farm with money than for money"
You can find Bill’s daughter under “Mariah’s Journals” on Substack.
From my perspective the descriptions of low time preference or high time preference do more to confuse the issue rather than explain it. I'm not surprised the younger folks liked Massie better as he doesn't want to print more money and devalue the dollar, which to the younger folks means they can hardly save since the dollars become worth less with time. On the other hand they might be living within a communist regime or socialist regime which means they won't have anything at all as government takes it all away from them. Or one would be more likely to live within a regime which forces one to take vaccines that are experimenting with one's genes and causing sudden deaths so that their political friends could sell vaccines and make billions. Not to mention their loss of freedom to speak their minds, like we experienced with Biden in the White House. Or to put it more precisely that freedom of speech which obviously Biden tried to remove or control to his political desires. Same as socialism always tries to implement.
Obivously there is no great solution to the debt problem the US faces but if the dollar is devalued then those that lose most are those holding "dollars". That is the boomers. In that sense it is the best solution to the debt problem as they are the ones holding the bag.
Mr. Mackinac, Excellent points about the alternative. I got to the point that I couldn't tolerate New Bill's cherry-picking of stats and generalizations, so I only read him once a week most of 2026 so far. But my cousin told me that, lately, the more insightful and detailed Old Bill had returned for awhile, so I resumed reading his essays more often. And Old Bill had in fact returned---until this essay where he has returned to cherry-picking stats and generalizing. He used to spend a week's worth of essays on one major issue. Today he generalized about two major issues (Baby Boomers vs. Younger Set) and U.S.-Israel relations in just one essay.
About Bill's essay today, Bill writes as if the Baby Boomers never pass down their good fortune to their younger relatives, which is nonsense. I would estimate that a majority of Baby Boomers, including Bill and Elizabeth, have helped their younger relatives, not just with outright financing, but probably with housing, transportation, food, clothing, entertainment, utilities, insurance, etc. And then there are trillions in inheritance from tens of millions of Baby Boomers to their offspring when the Baby Boomers die. A goodly amount of Social Security money passes from recipients down to younger folk right now. And Medicare and Medicare Advantage spending employs or partially employs millions of health care workers, such as younger doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, nurses, dental hygienists/assistants, health care techs, administrators, clerks, construction workers, etc. Trillions (and IOUs, unfortunately) constantly cycle through the U.S. economic system. Bill KNOWS THIS and could have at least prefaced his condemnation of Baby Boomers with this significant caveat. And yes, my Baby Boomer generation has made some incredibly stupid blunders. But more analysis from Bill would be appreciated here. (I repeat: Money cycles through an economic system.)
About the Israeli matter: I have major problems with Israel Firsters; and American Jews voting 2-to-1 for Democrats, most who seem to hate Jews. In Israel, Jews and Muslims can freely criticize their govt. without being tortured in some basement or jailed as in so many Muslim countries. Israel has to keep a wall up to not only block Muslim terrorists, but good Muslims who just want freedom and earn a good living, from pouring into tiny Israel and overwhelming its infrastructure. Can most Muslim countries say the same? And AIPAC contributes only a small percentage of the total campaign donations during every national U.S. election. Much of the donations are contributed by labor unions and corporations, together employing tens of millions of U.S. workers. Jobs, jobs, jobs...
Really comforting (sarcasm) to be BLAMED for being born in a certain year & NOT receiving the perks. It was the greedy ones that came before me that created all the problems we have now.
I'm wondering... if the dollar has lost 99.111% of its value, what is the real value of the $40T debt?
2 and sixpence ha'penny or a couple of dimes?
Most probably the "debt" will go away in a monetary "reset", after the next global financial crisis.
There is a problem with the idea that the debt can be just written off. Remember that all US citizens with 401k? and etc. is a part of that debt in that the instos lend that money buying bonds from the US Gov. If it were to be defaulted on then you'all be without your retirement money. It will, therefore, never happen. Only inflating the debt is possible.
Or maybe the next plague is due, that will solve a lot of problems.
You inaccurately claim that $32 million is what it cost to unseat Massie. I have heard that Massie’s campaign spent around $$14 million against $17-$18 million by his opponent. So, although big money from out of state was in play for sure, it wasn’t all on one side. The total bill for both sides was 32 million.
The boomers are not exactly whom to blame. The policies allowing everyone to vote created voting blocks that were malleable and manipulated to create ideas that sounded good on paper but were and are reckless in reality. The boomers just happen to ripen when many forces and influences converged within a couple of decades. An example, JFK was the first televised presidential debate, reportedly won because he was handsome and women voting had finally taken root.
We were all told that democracy is a good thing and it causes freedom. However, what is freeing about 3 wolves and a sheep holding an election of what's for dinner. Everyone's voice, actually does not matter. Coca-Cola does not poll the forklift drivers and delivery drivers of their opinion on how to run the company. Why? because they have not earned the position to guide it. Just because you breathe does not mean you are capable of deciding on how to guide a country. In fact, with the millions of people selflessly destroying their own lives in our country, why would we want their input on important matters regarding our own?
I dont blame the boomers, I blame their fathers and grandfathers that let freedom slip.
And yes, I firmly believe that the majority of people who oppose “aid” to Israel are anti-Semitic. As Germany proved in the 1930s Jews are the canaries in the cold mines. Don’t let Islam in or they’ll be coming for the Sunday people after they take care of the Saturday people.