At First, I Laughed. But Then...

...I became horrified.

Millennials actually believe that they have it WORSE than any previous American generation - INCLUDING those who lived through the Depression.

Clueless is a cute movie. It is NOT a basis for a life.

For those not familiar with the situation vis-a-vis the Baby Boomers, let me tell you. In 1969, the economy was BOOMING - about the same employment as today. Just a few short years later, we had:

• Price controls - under Nixon
• Skyrocketing credit rates - after years of lobbying by the credit companies, Carter lifted the limits that had been imposed by usury laws. Rates shot up to 17-18%, for GOOD credit risks.
• Housing prices, and rates, were low at the start of the 70s. They gradually crept up. The dumbest thing I've ever said in my life, was "Honey, that interest rate is ridiculous (8.5%). My parents have a loan that's HALF that. Let's wait until the rates come down." My husband - blessedly - didn't hold my advice against me, but we were locked out of the market by inability to manage a loan until the late 80s - at which time, the prices had hit their highest level in years.
• Jobs - hard to get, more vulnerable to layoffs, fewer benefits. Most women had to work - and it wasn't at cushy jobs with high salaries. Non-college grads had it worse. The Rust Belt was just written off - by both parties. If CA and/or Silicon Valley goes belly-up, don't look for sympathy from us (former Ohioan, family still living there). We were BOTH screwed, and sneered at. We DON'T forget.

Grow up, Millennials. If you aren't in severe danger of living on the street or in your car, having to skip meals, or living without cable, Internet, spare change for an occasional coffee, you aren't truly living close to the bone.

Not even.