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To the editor:
A few follow-up points to "Free to Choose" (The Chief, Letters, July 4) and "The Greediest Generation” (The Chief, Letters, June 27)
An online commenter replied to the former this way: 1) The GG letter does not deny freedom to choose and 2) GG does not say all Dems are good and all Republicans evil. I concede both points. However …
The baby boom generation lasted from 1946 until 1964. Boomers in 1968 comprised fewer than two years of the voting bloc. Far beyond the scope of a letter to the editor, a much more detailed analysis of every election since 1968 would be required to determine the percentage of the electorate that were boomers and how they voted (Republican or Democrat). The author also neglects to point out that immediately after both Bush 41 and Bush 43 — when boomers held a much larger share of the voter's bloc than 1968 — Democrats held the White House for eight years each time. It is not nearly as simple as the author's analysis.
The second part of GG I must disagree with is the author's speculation as to why boomers voted Republican. Unless the author has spoken to every boomer who has voted Republican, it is simply impossible to speculate — assuming for the sake of argument boomers put every Republican in office — it was for lower taxes and fewer entitlements. Nor is it fair to call boomers as a whole the greediest generation based simply on their voting patterns.
Nat Weiner
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Valete
The baby boomer generation’s voting patterns are more complex than a simple analysis suggests. While it’s true that boomers voted Republican in some elections, attributing their choices solely to greed is unfair and speculative.
Selfishness is a subjective concept.
There are many factors to consider before casting one’s vote. Boomers vote not only on economic issues, but also on “social issues.”
Republicans tend to be more traditional on social issues, while Democrats are generally more liberal on these issues. There are other factors that Boomers consider before voting, but these two key issues are among the primary determinants of their voting patterns.
Labeling Baby Boomers as selfish for voting Republican is irrelevant. It’s merely one person’s opinion, not a fact.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 Report this
fcannisi
Nat, I have written extensively on why the electorate, largely composed of Boomers, chose Democrats following Bush 41 and Bush 43. Namely, the patently obvious incompetence of GOP presidencies at managing the economy.
By the time Clinton was elected in 1992, the country had been mired in a deep recession for over 5 years. On October 19, 1987, the Dow Jones dropped 22.6%, the largest single day drop in U.S. history; a record that stands today. I shouldn't have to remind you of the Great Recession, when the stock market lost half its value towards the end of 2008; that essentially elected Obama.
As for a microanalysis of voting behavior, besides being impossible it is also irrelevant. Boomers comprised the majority of the electorate by 1972 (as 18-year-olds got the vote) and their macro-voting behavior tilted towards the GOP. At that same time, the GOP was messaging small government, low taxes, deregulation and rolling-back the social safety net. Boomers responded with their votes.
From the widest point of view, Democrats were saying "government is the solution" and the GOP was saying "government is the problem". Put another way, Dems told people "We're in this together" and the GOP was telling them "Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps, because I'm not helping you".
I call that greed.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 Report this
Valete
Mr. Weiner, many Baby Boomers have shifted away from the Democratic Party due to a perception that the party has abandoned traditional working-class constituencies. Additionally, some Baby Boomers feel that the party’s current leadership and policies do not resonate with their values or effectively address their social concerns.
The Republican Party believes in assisting Americans during challenging times. They don’t think that Americans should rely on the government to dictate the course of their personal lives. In times of hardship, a safety net is in place to help them overcome their difficulties and regain their footing. These policies promote self-determination without unnecessary government intervention.
The Republican Party believes that every American can achieve the American Dream through hard work, education, and a strong desire for self-determination.
The Republican Party opposes collectivism, which is essentially socialism, a discredited economic theory.
Numerous books, such as those that explore the failures of 20th-century socialism, often highlight its economic inefficiencies, authoritarian governance, and the resulting social issues. Notable works include “The Road to Serfdom” by Friedrich Hayek and “The Black Book of Communism” by Stéphane Courtois, which analyze the consequences of socialist policies and regimes.
Friday, July 11, 2025 Report this
Valete
Liberals tend to vote Democrat; traditionalists tend to vote Republican; Baby Boomers vote based on their conscience.; it’s that simple.
Friday, July 11, 2025 Report this