To the Editor:
Colton DeLarosa lamented, quite vigorously, the bad attitudes of boomers. He even asserted the I am the problem with the entire nation. I, ahem, must disagree. My apologies, dear, if I tweak your fragile sensibilities. I am a Boomer. I’ve been kind all of my life. I give 10% of my very meager $34,000 per year to homelessness. I’ve been homeless myself so many times, and even got “moved along” at the giant, empty VA hospital parking lot at 2 a.m. this last time.
I’m not a dead beat, in fact at my age, I went from homeless to homeowner in 9 months. I live out here in the forest now so people can’t hurt me. But I still care. You say that Boomers are the ones griping. How many, exactly, do you know? And why are you listening? It’s toxic, my love, and I mean no disrespect; in fact I agree with you about everything but the age blaming. That is ineffectual, adversarial, and ignorant. I hear it from practically everyone around me.
I’m surrounded by Trump banners and the fallen flags I keep putting back up for idiots and haters because my country means everything to me. I defended her for 12 hard years as a US Army medical evac NCO.
I had a lot of fun wrecking this body, but I’ll be damned if I let you blame me after everything I’ve done and all the people that I’ve helped him in my life. Don’t you dare.
Attacking Boomers is the same as attacking a stereotypically marginalized group like blacks or Hispanics. Don’t do that. If you have something intelligent to say, say it. You don’t need to group people into a bundle; it’s insulting and it’s disrespectful.
Thank you, sir. I wish you well in your life and I do agree with you on everything else. Your letter was well-written and I felt your angst.
My advice is to just say no. Be kind but assertive, then change the subject to something else interesting and fun and laugh together.
Jean Elliott
Fort McCoy