It has recently come to my attention that we, baby boomers, are being blamed for the entire recession. Many Generation X and Y bloggers, out there, are placing the blame for the current economic plight squarely on our shoulders. You know what? I think they are correct.

It is being said that “our” mismanagement of the economy as a whole, our overspending, over indulgence and our general selfishness is what caused the mess in which we currently find ourselves, economically. Well, I believe they have the right idea, but for the wrong reasons. I don’t blame them for thinking the way they do, given the way they were raised.

Baby boomers, as a generation, were the first to treat our children with “respect”. We never yelled or – God Forbid! – spanked our children for doing wrong, lest we risk upsetting their “delicate emotional development” and their self-esteem. We made sure (or tried very hard) to make sure they had whatever they desired, so that they would not feel deprived, as we did. Our mantra was always, “give my children what I never had’, at all costs and even if it was to our detriment or that of our own futures. Our fondest desire was to raise children who valued themselves and could look at themselves in the mirror and like what they saw. Well, fellow baby boomers, I’m happy to report that we’ve succeeded!

• Remember that big, gas-guzzling SUV you bought so that you could cart your kids and ALL their friends to basketball games, roller skating parties and countless piano lessons? Yes, the current gas crisis in the middle east is your fault.

• Remember when you borrowed from your 401K so that Janey could have braces, so as not to make her feel “different” or self-concious and further risk lowering her precious self-esteem? Yes, it’s your fault you now cannot afford to retire.
• Remember when you made the decision not to have too many children, so as not to further divide the attention and monetary output being lavished on your current children? Yes, the social security crisis is your fault.

So you see, fellow baby boomers, they are correct. We, as a generation, produced the most self-absorbed generation in history. They are now blaming US for the recession. They now believe we should just retire (or, some say, die!) and “get out of their way” so that they can have the jobs we so desperately cling to. They claim they could fix this mess “we’ve” created if we would just allow them the opportunity to use the high-priced educations we, ourselves, sacrificed vacations, new furniture or bigger homes, for. They claim they would marry, buy homes and have children if we would just sit down and STFU. Isn’t it comforting to know that we can now look forward to having our children looking out for us in our old age?