**The Legacy of the Boomers: A Tale of Entitlement and Betrayal** The Baby Boomer generation, born into an era of unprecedented prosperity, often touts itself as the epitome of self-reliance. They speak of pulling themselves up by their “bootstraps,” of hard work and grit as if their success was forged through sheer determination. But their narrative conveniently ignores the truth: the world they inherited was handed to them, built by the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation. The Boomers didn’t climb a ladder they constructed themselves—they were handed one, sturdy and unshakable, and now they mock those struggling to ascend the broken remnants they’ve left behind. *What the Boomers Inherited The Greatest Generation—those who weathered the Great Depression and rebuilt the world after World War II—created a foundation of stability and opportunity. They believed in collective sacrifice and left behind systems designed to ensure their children’s success. The Baby Boomers were the beneficiaries of this generosity. Even in places like rural Appalachia, which has long been overlooked in national conversations about prosperity, the 1960s offered a glimpse of possibility. My father told me stories of going to the movies and skating rink in our small town—simple pleasures that reflected a thriving local economy. Sawmills and mining projects employed much of the community, and the town felt alive, filled with people who had hope for their families and futures. To me, though, those stories don’t feel like distant memories. They feel like fairy tales—a world I can only imagine, one that vanished long before I was born. The skating rink, the movie theater, the hum of sawmills—they aren’t just gone; they feel impossible. Hearing my father’s stories is like peering into a window of what could have been, a life I long to see but know I never will. What was handed to the Boomers wasn’t just an economy or an opportunity—it was a world full of promise. A world they let slip away. *Why Boomers Are Associated with Conservatism While not all Boomers identify as conservatives, many of the policies and cultural values they support align with conservative ideals. This association is rooted in the generational pivot that occurred as the Boomers aged: • Cultural Backlash: As the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s gave way to adulthood, many Boomers rejected the ideals they once championed, embracing traditional values like patriotism, family, and religion. • Economic Policies: Boomers increasingly supported policies that emphasized deregulation, tax cuts, and smaller government—hallmarks of conservative economic philosophy. • Political Dominance: For decades, Boomers made up a significant portion of the electorate, driving the success of conservative politicians and policies, particularly in the 1980s and beyond. But here’s the irony: while they’ve championed conservatism in name, their actions often contradict its core principles. If conservatism is about preserving what is good—be it economic opportunity, natural resources, or cultural traditions—the Boomers failed spectacularly. *The Boomers’ Failure to Conserve If the Boomers truly embraced conservatism, they would have worked to preserve the best of what they were given: economic opportunity, community bonds, and the natural environment. Instead, they failed to conserve anything worth holding onto. 1. Environmental Neglect: Rather than protecting natural resources, Boomers presided over their exploitation. They ignored decades of warnings about climate change, pollution, and overconsumption, leaving younger generations to grapple with rising seas, toxic water, and scorched earth. A true conservative ethos would have prioritized stewardship of the land. 2. Economic Dismantling: They inherited an economy built on stability and opportunity but dismantled much of it in the name of deregulation and globalization. The result? Union power weakened, pensions vanished, and entire industries were outsourced. Appalachia, once alive with industry, was left hollowed out. 3. Erosion of Community: While conservatives often speak of family values and strong communities, Boomers undermined both. The rise of consumerism and suburbanization fractured neighborhoods, turning self-reliance into isolation. What was once a network of mutual support became a collection of individuals looking out for themselves. 4. Infrastructure Neglect: The highways, bridges, and public works built by the Greatest Generation are crumbling, the result of decades of tax cuts and privatization. Here in Appalachia, what little infrastructure we had went without maintenance or improvement, further isolating us from opportunity. While external factors like globalization and technological shifts played a role, these were moments for leadership and foresight—moments the Boomers missed. Their choices prioritized short-term gains over long-term stability, a betrayal of the very principles they claimed to uphold. *The Bootstraps Myth Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of Boomer rhetoric is their insistence that they achieved everything through hard work. They criticize Millennials and Gen Z for being “lazy” or “entitled,” as if today’s challenges are equivalent to the ones they faced. But the reality is starkly different. Boomers bought homes at a fraction of today’s cost, with mortgages that didn’t require two incomes to manage. They attended college without the crushing weight of student debt. They entered a job market with pensions and job security, opportunities that have all but vanished for younger generations. Here in Appalachia, we didn’t see the full benefits of national prosperity, but even we had thriving local economies. That’s all gone now. Hollowed-out towns, empty storefronts, and a generation struggling to find purpose—it’s a familiar story. Yet Boomers still scoff, insisting that hard work alone is the answer as if that’s all it ever took. *A Betrayal of Legacy The Greatest Generation believed they were building a better world, not just for their children but for generations to come. They sacrificed for the collective good, trusting their children to carry that torch forward. The Boomers didn’t just drop the torch—they let it burn out. What’s worse is their refusal to acknowledge the damage they’ve done. They cling to the idea that they’ve left the world in better shape and that the systems they dismantled are somehow stronger for their efforts. But the evidence is everywhere: rising inequality, environmental collapse, and fractured communities. *The Way Forward This isn’t just about assigning blame—it’s about reckoning with the truth. The systems Boomers dismantled can’t be rebuilt overnight, and the path forward will require sacrifice, innovation, and a return to the values of true conservatism: preserving opportunity, protecting resources, and investing in the future. Younger generations have already begun this work, fighting for sustainability, fairness, and accountability. While the burden is heavy, the resilience of Millennials and Gen Z offers hope that what was lost can, one day, be restored. If we’re to rebuild, we must learn from the past and embrace the values the Greatest Generation held dear: collective sacrifice, investment in the future, and a commitment to leaving the world better than we found it. That means conserving what still matters—our environment, our communities, and the opportunities that remain—and fostering a culture of accountability that resists the temptation of short-term gains. The work ahead is daunting, but it’s not impossible. The efforts of younger generations show that something better can be built—not a replica of the past, but a world rooted in fairness, sustainability, and shared opportunity. The mistakes of the past don’t have to define the future. The world Boomers inherited was built on shared sacrifice. The world they’re leaving behind will demand the same. Whether the next generation rises to the challenge isn’t in question—they already are. The only question is whether the lessons of the past will finally be learned, or whether we’ll continue to repeat this cycle of entitlement and destruction. What do you think? ~CA