Off Topic Politics Thread

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
I always though that the boomers were the generation before, as in the post war generation that became adults in the 60s, not those born in
The 60s. They probably did have advantages with house buying as prices didn't start to become 10 x salary or more until much later, but they were probably the last to experience this.
They are now the elderly though rather than the middles aged or younger who would have been the ones facing 15% interest rates.(15.4 % at its peak for me)

Yeah, those born in the early 60's are really the very tail end of the boomers.

I don't know that I think the boomers had it easy. I just think that era has changed. In those days, it was really super important to buy a house, and (in the US at least) have a car, have two kids by 35 and raise them in the nice, clean suburbs. That's how I grew up, and I can't complain. My parents did right by me, and sacrificed tremendously to get me where I'm at. I have tremendous respect for what they did.

And, I think part of the deal was that you know, you save up for the suburban house and picket fence for your children and you give them the best possible. Then, when you are old, having done your part for your children and society in general the government + your pension plan will take care of you. And your kids will help out as well.

Except that the pension plans went bankrupt and the government doesn't have the money. Bad investments, corruption, plus the fact that everyone lives longer means they don't have the retirement money they planned for. And there's so few Gen X'ers compared to the boomers so it's hard for that few to take care of so many.

So they were lied to. I get why they are frustrated. They did everything right, and the economy and politicians let them down. But they aren't just concerned about their retirement but their also kids' retirement. They were hoping to maybe have a little nest egg to pass on, but it's gone. And if they can't get their pensions and government help, what's going to happen to the next generation?

Except I don't think my generation of X'ers or the millenials wants the same things. My dad is aghast you know, that so many millenials nowadays don't have homes or cars. But they've don't see real estate as the ultimate safe planning investment anymore. They've seen the housing bubble burst. They don't want private pensions or to put taxes into government pension programs because they've seen how useless they are. They know they won't get it back.

I realize that's a bit of an over-generalization as most things are when you talk about full generations. But I think there's some general trend that exists.

There is a notion that the security lies in stability and bunkering down. Invest in a house, and no matter how bad things get, you'll still have that house. Learn a trade/skill and maybe working in a steel mill isn't the greatest job but your dad did it, and then you did it, and there will always be a need for steel and concrete and farming, etc.

Each succeeding generation is less wedded to those notions. I think the modern 20-ish person just starting out on their own sees the ultimate security in being mobile. Don't move out to the suburbs, live in the city where there's more happening and more job opportunities. Don't buy a house that ties you down to an area and then you might end up underwater. Don't start cranking out kids at 25, it's too risky. Wait until you've got money, then maybe have 1. Or 2, tops. Get money while the getting is good, and if things change, be able to go somewhere else or change careers, location, whatever at an instant.

Young people also like travel and adventure are kind of risk takers, too. I mean, yeah that's part of it. But I think it mostly comes down to the bunker/mobile mentality. Older people are really interested in making Britain strong, as that's their home and their bunker. And they think they can accomplish that. Younger people are maybe a bit more pessimistic about it. Like "Hey, I like my country and all but I can't be sure that things won't go tits up, so I need to be able to work anywhere in Europe. I'll stay here if I can. But if I need to go, I'm gone. I'll still have the internet. I can still travel back to England if I want. I just don't want to be TIED to England."

Therefore, older people think things have gone off-track and want to get them back on-track. Younger people think things have already gone off the rails and want to adjust to the new reality. Older people want things for younger people that the older people think are important for their future, but the younger people believe in other things. And when it comes to who is right, older people think they have the wisdom of their years, younger people think they are stuck in the past with antiquated ideas.

This is nothing new. But again, I think the problem is there are so many boomers compared to the generations around them that maybe they have a bit more influence than they should.
 
Mrs Godders and I are on an old gits holiday and I am stunned by people's lack of comprehension of what they have done. I am pissed off with people telling me they wanted their country back. Well the country they are going to get is nothing like any thing they have ever imagined. I believe we should now freeze all pensions, dispense with the bus pass and cancel all winter fuel payments. The money saved should then be used to upskill our kids to give them a chance. I am so pissed off with selfish stupid old gits. The bastards should be made to pay for their stupidity.
 
This is nothing new. But again, I think the problem is there are so many boomers compared to the generations around them that maybe they have a bit more influence than they should.

Maybe different in the US but I'm pretty sure there are nearly as many if not more Generation X than baby boomers. 1966/7 was a peak year and it was a downward curve to 75 but still pretty high.
 
I always though that the boomers were the generation before, as in the post war generation that became adults in the 60s, not those born in
The 60s. They probably did have advantages with house buying as prices didn't start to become 10 x salary or more until much later, but they were probably the last to experience this.
They are now the elderly though rather than the middles aged or younger who would have been the ones facing 15% interest rates.(15.4 % at its peak for me)[/QUOTE

I should have said 50s and 60s. There was still a heavy birth rate up to and including up to about 1967. I bought my first house in 1969. My basic salary was around £15 per week I was the only bread winner. My first house cost £3750. I was also studying via the open university just after the move. My first mortgage was £21.1shilling and 9 pence per month. Trust me with 5 children to support paying that mortgage was hell but pay it I did. I studied at the open university until 1972 and then moved up the salary level quite considerably but still was the sole bread winner. We bought our first new house in 1976 in Lordswood Southampton. By his time interest rates from memory was around 7.5/8.5 %. My youngest son was borne there soon after we moved in. I was still and would remain the only bread winner.
Trust me our life was not easy but I am pleased to say all 6 of my children now own their own homes. They did through sheer hard work, each one of them. If they needed help they were helped but to a penny each paid me back as I was in no position to just give it to them. To do it though both had to be wage earners except of course during their early years of pregnancy until their children were of school age. Now their children are embarking on the ladder of house ownership. How are they doing it? Exactly the same as their parents and grand parents, sheer bloody hard work and saving. Yes they needed a little help from mum and dad and Grandad. If they can do it so can others.
Oh and by the way although all had a good education none went to university including the grand kids.
So I think you will understand why I don't understand why some say it is impossible to get on the housing market. There is a lot of help out there to get you started but it will take a lot of willpower and determination. Nothing is easy.......ever.
One final word ......to the lad that has just lost his job. Sorry to hear that keep you pecker up mate, as one door closes another will surely open...trust me on that!
 
What do you mean "and so it begins" that decision will have been made months and months ago and will have nowt to do with referendum.

It could've been a decision that was dependant on the result of the Referendum, you don't know that Beddy...There will be jobs lost due to pulling out of Europe, I know that the Prince's Trust that is partly funded by the EU will have to review it's finances.
 
I agree the decision will have been made before the result but the result, in my opinion, has caused it's implementation.

To be honest it would be doubtful for them to actually give a date if they were waiting for the result. They will have had to put things in place previously. So it would have happened whatever the out come of the referendum.
I feel sorry for the chap but as I said earlier as one door closes another will surely open.
 
To be honest it would be doubtful for them to actually give a date if they were waiting for the result. They will have had to put things in place previously. So it would have happened whatever the out come of the referendum.
I feel sorry for the chap but as I said earlier as one door closes another will surely open.

The doors may not open if the country goes into a recession and unemployment rises as many economic forecasters predict.
 
To be honest it would be doubtful for them to actually give a date if they were waiting for the result. They will have had to put things in place previously. So it would have happened whatever the out come of the referendum.
I feel sorry for the chap but as I said earlier as one door closes another will surely open.

As it's not until April that gives them plenty of time to put things in place so I'll stick by my opinion but unless someone knows one of the bosses we will never know.
 
One of my main reasons for voting remain was the threat of people losing their jobs.

I genuinely would have felt guilty putting a tick in the leave box, knowing that my vote could put someone out of work.
 
Mrs Godders and I are on an old gits holiday and I am stunned by people's lack of comprehension of what they have done. I am pissed off with people telling me they wanted their country back. Well the country they are going to get is nothing like any thing they have ever imagined. I believe we should now freeze all pensions, dispense with the bus pass and cancel all winter fuel payments. The money saved should then be used to upskill our kids to give them a chance. I am so pissed off with selfish stupid old gits. The bastards should be made to pay for their stupidity.

My pension just went down by about 10% as its hooked into the FTSE and Wall St. Thanks very much, Brexit voters!
Agree with you here, Godders!!
 
As far as I'm concerned. This thread now has no place on this forum. It's easy for the mods to say ignore it but curiosity gets the better of people. We are all passionate about Southampton but reading some of the things that have been posted on here in the last few days should not be on a football forum. It's ok saying that nothing personal has been posted but having a discussion on here and at certain times having to read posts about accusing people of being thick racists imo although no names are mentioned is personal because it's directed at people using this forum. I am now requesting that as this is a sports forum there is no need to have this thread. It's served its purpose and it's time to close it.
 
My pension just went down by about 10% as its hooked into the FTSE and Wall St. Thanks very much, Brexit voters!
Agree with you here, Godders!!
Think yourself lucky your in a position to have such a pension. Some of us live day to day with no such luxuries.
 
This thread was set up in an effort to keep politics out of the off topic thread. There are people that like to express their political views and this is the thread dedicated to them. The answer is simple, if what you read offends you, then stay out of the thread.