We hear a lot about the cultural divide in this country, but less about the divergence of common interest between ourselves and our children.
David Leonhardt in his New York Times article “Old vs. Young” points out that the wealth gap between people over 65 and people under 35 is the largest it has been since they have recorded that statistic. Over the last decade, the income level of people between 55 and 64 has remained about the same, while it has decreased by 11% for people between the ages of 25 and 35.
Older people benefit from a variety of policies that protect assets and ensure continuation of Social Security and Medicare. Younger people benefit from funding programs likely to benefit society in the future—things like education, research, environmental controls.
Along with all else we consider in making our political choices, we should try to anticipate how current policies will impact the lives of our children and grandchildren.
Until we can address the income disparity, it will only get worse.....unfortunately.
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