Generational Warfare

In case you missed it, this Washington Post article detailing the numerous ways "young Americans are getting the shaft" is a must read.

As a generation, we're getting the raw end of the deal from both parties.  As the article points out, federally seven dollars are invested into programs that support the elderly for every one dollar invested in those under the age of 18.

This inequity in spending underlies the root cause of problems such as ballooning student loan debt.  Rather than investing in our public schools, we're spending money on pensions and medicare and social security: all programs we may never see a dollar from.

The solution of course is not to cut money from these well run and crucial programs that benefit the elderly. But as we work to maintain these programs, some semblance of balance has to be restored to the government services that benefit young adults.

This "Got Mine" mentality dementia simply has to stop.  Legislators across the country have repeatedly refused to raise revenue and instead found short term fixes that directed all of our reserves to our elders.  In New York City, Mayor Bloomberg has proposed leasing off their parking meters to private interests for a one time lump sum. The net effect?  A short term bump in revenue to maintain immediate programs, and then the loss of a long-term revenue source for generations to come.

The Washington Post nails the solution to this crisis.  Some day, one of our Hella Bus readers needs to be able to say to a politician:

“I’m from the American Association of Young People. We have 30 million members, and we’re watching you. You [mess with] us and we’ll take you out.”