Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Reaction and Comments - re : [ The State of Baby Boomer Nation ]

Every so often , you can write something that touches a nerve . The wound can be so raw , that just a light touch will cause reaction . At no time , since the blog , " Rick Bava on the Baby Boom Generation " , has existed  have Baby Boomers responded . Not  just the fact that the , story titled , " The State of Baby Boomer Nation " , was read in volume , but the depth that Baby Boomers saw in the report , seemed to touch all that absorbed the story . It appears , that Baby Boomers identified with the fact that , what was presented , was reflective of 312 of their peers . The fact that the story was honnest , to the point , and free of false hope , was what Baby Boomers most liked . They wanted the assessment , at this point in time , they wanted to know what was happening in Baby Boomer Nation . They wanted to know what truly was on the mind of Baby Boomers . By all accounts based on the feedback they received a accurate report ............................. This is very gratifying indeed , because sometimes the direct information , clear of the pep talk , does not always go over well in the mind of the reader . But Baby Boomers , some who want their old life back , or cope with their life on a day for day basis , are in no mood for a bowl of suger , when they seek lemon for their iced tea . The measure of the man , according to Norman Mailer , is to endure . The mark of the man while suffering is to come out the other side, to face the problems of the day , and take pride in meeting the challenge................ Baby Boomers are finding , that pay as you go , driving a well kept used car , and not borrowing from the 401k has merit . Baby Boomers who once were fond of saying , I play with adult toys , look foolish now , tapping into savings to finance the vacation they cannot afford . Besides , haven't Baby Boomers taken enough vacations already in their lifetime . Who needs the treadmill of keeping up with the Joneses . Baby Boomere are reflective , they have a past , it has been a good one , that had many a reward . Baby Boomers will once again with fortitude on their side , still reach their retirement dreams . But reality is what it is . The  " times they are a changing " , again , for Baby Boomers , who know change better than any other generation . So life is what it is , but Baby Boomers like they have always shown , seem to find a way to cope and find the best in a bad situration ......... The interesting thing about the 312 Baby Boomers that made up the report , on  " The State of Baby Boomer Nation " , was though pessimistic now , confidence low now , stressed out now , they believe in their heart , that their will come a day , when this night mare that we are living , will indeed pass . Some Baby Boomers even believe , when it is over we will be a better generation ................

Saturday, August 27, 2011

The State of Baby Boomer Nation

You know that scene that occurs, by law, based on the Constitution . Every year the president , gives the State of the Union Address . He reports to the people of the nation , on the country . His assessment is usually followed by what would be a good coarse of action for the upcoming year ............. The following is a small take on on that winter ritual . Since this is a blog based on Baby Boomers input , rather than the hopes and dreams of a country , the Baby Boomer State of the Nation , will be shared in late summer , and with far less grandeur .............. But make no mistake about it , the 312 Baby Boomers who had input , are every bit as concerned , as they evaluate the state of Baby Boomer Nation . It is safe to say that , Baby Boomers as a whole are not happy campers . While a small percentage , of the generation , are content , and on solid financial ground, and see a bright retirement future , they represent the minority ................. Their is also a small percentage , greater than the group described above , who are distraught , distressed , and destitute . Sadly , many described are veterans ............... The majority fall in the middle , stressed , over worked , and worried . This would be a synopsis of Baby Boomer Nation . They are the Baby Boomers who have seen and experienced the greatest of highs , and now are trying to cope with the lows .It is a group who thought the Great Depression was a history lesson  , and nothing like it , would ever be seen in the Baby Boomer lexicon ............. For a very long time it seemed , nothing very bad or serious ever happened . The house would would increase in value , stocks would be a great investment for the long term , and the technology sector would always be there to provide work . Retirement worries consisted of , warm climate housing , a fitness routine , and travel . This was a generation that was going to redefine the " Golden Years " .  Well it has , but with a far different picture .................. Those years now are about , working longer , if still employed . Those years are about , looking for work , and swallowing your pride , and the paycut that goes with it   Worse , trying to get by , on meager savings , till Social Security kicks in . Now , as if things were not bad enough , politicians , talk of the great problem , the 79 million Baby Boomers who are going to break the system . You have heard them , we need to curb entitlements ......................... This is the State of Baby Boomer Nation . What is the solution . Here is what your fellow Baby Boomers advocate : Baby Boomers first and foremost , want some protection or cover , when it comes to Social Security and Medicare . They ask where is AARP TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF BABY BOOMERS . Baby Boomers also are not fond of the moving target , that being the constant drum beat of raising the age for benefits to kick in . While Baby Boomers are sensitive to fiscal discipline , they also want to point out that they have spent a lifetime , working hard and paying into the system ....................... Baby Boomers are also looking to corporate America to open up the purse strings and start hiring , Major corporations are sitting on a great deal of cash , perhaps they ought to look at some resumes . Baby Boomers have value and experience , their life lessons are valuable . Hey , Microsoft , Baby Boomers could use a job . Say Apple , we are sorry that Steve Jobs can't continue , we value his contribution and are concerned for his health , but your sitting on 76 Billion dollars .Remember those Baby Boomers who bought the Macintosh , well their still ready to contribute . The key word is contribute , Baby Boomers can add a lot of value to a company . They are not graying employees ready to be put out to pasture , but sharp minds  who have , " been there , done that " . Let them come in , and help shape the future , and by the way , let them also mentor the younger employee : just like previous generations once did ...............Mort Zuckerman , of U. S. News and World Report . asks , where is President Obama 's leadership . He wants triple AAA leadership for a triple AAA country . Their might be something to that  , the leaders of this country need to step up and help make Baby Boomers part of the solution...... because they are not the problem .............

Friday, August 26, 2011

Readers Feedback

First , the author of this blog is grateful to the Baby Boom Generation , his peers , for supporting this blog . Month over month the readership has grown , and the feedback has ben very positive . The e-mail's  received , which have been numerous , are very much appreciated ...... Most of the inbox mail . falls into three categories , the identification , the relate to the issues , and the recall of the memory . Baby Boomers like reading about what relates to other Baby Boomers . They like that their is a space where issues they are facing is being discussed . Baby Boomers have also had a rich life , with great memories , both on a individual , and historical basis . Some of the most interesting e-mail 's to read are the ones where the topic that was generated , relate to a Baby Boomer sharing their own experience.................. So Thank You for reading , and Baby Boomers can count on every effort being made to provide the generation with the best possible blog  for Baby Boomers to enjoy and relate too ................. If you wish to write in with your story , a comment , or anything that is on your mind , write to the following e-mail , [ rbava1218@hotmail.com ] . Warmest Regards , Rick Bava...........................

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Spokesperson for the Baby Boom Generation

 In responce to many reader questions , the additional background information is added to the body of the blog for Baby Boomers. Rick Bava of , Rick Bava on the Baby Boom Generation is a spokesperson for the Baby Boom Generation . The blog as you see it , that is called by many , a influential blog for Baby Boomers , is based on research , conversations and ongoing interaction with Baby Boomers. In a description to a writer for the Associated Press , Rick Bava remarked that it is a goal to stay at the pulse of his generation , Baby Boomers. As of this blog post , Rick Bava has interviewed 312  Baby Boomers , and that process is ongoing. Rick Bava has a passion for the work and  thinks that the chronicle of the Baby Boom Generation  , he hopes will make a contribution to society. Making a contribution , is the goal of most Baby Boomers at this stage of life. This is a second career for Rick Bava , having had a successful corporate life for 30 years prior to embarking on the task of observing and being a spokesperson for the Baby Boom Generation................. Rick Bava was born and raised in Chicago , was a tennis player in the tennis boom years. He began a business profession , in Boston , spent a productive tenure with the Boeing Co. in both Boston and Seattle. He made his early mark in the business world with Commodore Computer during the dawn of the computer age, and received significant notice in the later years of his carrer with his firm , The Bava Group , a premier communication consulting firm...................... He continues to be proud of  The University of Wisconsin - Madison , where he graduated with a degree in Communication with a business emphasis. He  enjoy's books , movies and sports. He currently lives in Bellevue , Wa. , which is to the east side of Seattle...........