If we’re talking specifically global north, white, middle class Boomers, many of our parents were still successful enough that they gained access to the speculative economy via things like real estate and stock investment. For some these investments were big enough that’d I’d argue it blurs the line between proletariat and petite bourgeois. Yes your labor for a capitalist, but you are so well compensated for your labor it allows you to basically engage in micro-capitalism on the side and improve your economic station.
They are, essentially, the modern equivalent of Kulaks. Not 1% but still economically privileged enough that they have an interest in defending the status quo because they believe (correctly or not) that socialism would be a material downgrade for them.
Their class is entwined with the unique economic position they were born into.
There is a reason for people general disdain for white boomers. Being born into the post-war economic boom did put them at and advantage to everyone else, and they did use that newfound wealth in ways that disadvantaged their own progeny. A lot of them know it too, but don’t care, they’ve built an entire culture based around resentment of their own children. They voted for Trump largely as a “fuck you” to the next generation.
You’re missing the point here. They’re largely rich because of their access to real estate speculation. The housing crisis happened because of real estate speculation. They built their wealth via the very means that disadvantaged their children. They probably didn’t realize it at the time, but it’s become glaring obvious now and they can’t really deny it, so they cope culturally by demonizing their children. Again, Trump pretty much said it out loud. His base is mostly white boomers who mainline Fox News. If you build more housing, housing prices will drop, that’s bad for white boomers, but it would be good for broke ass millennials and Gen Zers. But boomers fight tooth and nail to prevent new housing to protect their property values. A lot of them aren’t even subtle about it.
If you build more housing, housing prices will drop, that’s bad for white boomers, homeowners, but it would be good for broke ass millennials and Gen Zers. renters. But boomers homeowners fight tooth and nail to prevent new housing to protect their property values. A lot of them aren’t even subtle about it.
In and other western states homeowners tend to be older. However using age as a proxy for a class dynamic is inaccurate.
Trying to absolve American Boomers for their reactionary tendency is akin to Libs claiming that the only problem with Israel is Netanyahu, ignoring that the Israeli people enthusiastically vote for him and support his genocidal policies. Groupings of people can just be reactionary as fuck do to their economic position.
If we’re talking specifically global north, white, middle class Boomers, many of our parents were still successful enough that they gained access to the speculative economy via things like real estate and stock investment. For some these investments were big enough that’d I’d argue it blurs the line between proletariat and petite bourgeois. Yes your labor for a capitalist, but you are so well compensated for your labor it allows you to basically engage in micro-capitalism on the side and improve your economic station.
They are, essentially, the modern equivalent of Kulaks. Not 1% but still economically privileged enough that they have an interest in defending the status quo because they believe (correctly or not) that socialism would be a material downgrade for them.
Maybe your parents, mine sure don’t have significant wealth.
I generally assume when people talk this way about “boomers” they’re referring to a specific class of boomers.
Cool, then talk about class
Their class is entwined with the unique economic position they were born into.
There is a reason for people general disdain for white boomers. Being born into the post-war economic boom did put them at and advantage to everyone else, and they did use that newfound wealth in ways that disadvantaged their own progeny. A lot of them know it too, but don’t care, they’ve built an entire culture based around resentment of their own children. They voted for Trump largely as a “fuck you” to the next generation.
“The problem is that our parents are rich, by which I mean my parents” is kinda off-putting.
You’re missing the point here. They’re largely rich because of their access to real estate speculation. The housing crisis happened because of real estate speculation. They built their wealth via the very means that disadvantaged their children. They probably didn’t realize it at the time, but it’s become glaring obvious now and they can’t really deny it, so they cope culturally by demonizing their children. Again, Trump pretty much said it out loud. His base is mostly white boomers who mainline Fox News. If you build more housing, housing prices will drop, that’s bad for white boomers, but it would be good for broke ass millennials and Gen Zers. But boomers fight tooth and nail to prevent new housing to protect their property values. A lot of them aren’t even subtle about it.
If you build more housing, housing prices will drop, that’s bad for
white boomers,homeowners, but it would be good for broke assmillennials and Gen Zers.renters. Butboomershomeowners fight tooth and nail to prevent new housing to protect their property values. A lot of them aren’t even subtle about it.In
and other western states homeowners tend to be older. However using age as a proxy for a class dynamic is inaccurate.
Boomers account for 41% of home owners, Millennials are only at 21%
Boomers voted for Trump by 56%.
Trying to absolve American Boomers for their reactionary tendency is akin to Libs claiming that the only problem with Israel is Netanyahu, ignoring that the Israeli people enthusiastically vote for him and support his genocidal policies. Groupings of people can just be reactionary as fuck do to their economic position.
There was really no shortage of speculation opportunities in the last few years either.
The 2008 crisis happened due to subprime mortgages.
Building more market rate housing doesn’t really bring down prices by significant amounts.