Why not get baby boomers back

[336Robin]

If the voting majority (that would be you baby boomers) of this nation made an semi-organized effort to express that social security reform was mandatory as a matter of current or hopeful elected officials to receive votes (irrespective of political party) then you could see social security reform.

You won't see social security reform hoping that Gen Y, X or whatever kids born today are called get out and vote. The political clout in the nation is held by boomers who can vote over any issue, topic or agenda. That they choose not to is tacit approval of our current elected officials.

Hell, what do I know. I'm only a CPA and obviously have no concept of money. I love preparing returns for folks making a few hundred thousand from investments and then seeing that they also receive social security. Lord knows they need it if they are trying to live off only a few hundred thousand a year. Even a proper income based phase-out or the option to volunteer not to collect social security is beyond the capabilities of this nation and it's voting majority to handle.

As far as I can tell Social Security isnt exactly in trouble. Its been said SS could be fixed in 15 minutes if it came down to it.

You might have a concept of money but you seem to think all us baby boomers have each others phone number or something.

I know....its like in the old Tarzan movies.....He does the yell and all the animals come running to his aid......Yeah its kind of cool to have it like that.........


Ah a aaaaaaaaaahhh a ahhhh.....ElLeon say go save Social Security!!......Baby Boomers from across the nation run to Washington in hordes....lmao

 

[bdorman]

If the voting majority (that would be you baby boomers) of this nation made an semi-organized effort to express that social security reform was mandatory as a matter of current or hopeful elected officials to receive votes (irrespective of political party) then you could see social security reform.

You won't see social security reform hoping that Gen Y, X or whatever kids born today are called get out and vote. The political clout in the nation is held by boomers who can vote over any issue, topic or agenda. That they choose not to is tacit approval of our current elected officials.

Hell, what do I know. I'm only a CPA and obviously have no concept of money. I love preparing returns for folks making a few hundred thousand from investments and then seeing that they also receive social security. Lord knows they need it if they are trying to live off only a few hundred thousand a year. Even a proper income based phase-out or the option to volunteer not to collect social security is beyond the capabilities of this nation and it's voting majority to handle.

We've already voted/decided about Social Security reform: pay us every dollar you promised -- and more. Have Social Security go broke the day I die. After that, what the hell do I care?

We learned this from Washington.

BTW, if we establish an income-based phaseout, I guarantee you it won't start at "a few hundred thousand." It will start at the U.S. median household income so that a retired couple earning $70,000 from investments will only get back pennies of the $200,000+ they've paid into Social Security.

 

[336Robin]

We've already voted/decided about Social Security reform: pay us every dollar you promised -- and more. Have Social Security go broke the day I die. After that, what the hell do I care?

We learned this from Washington.

BTW, if we establish an income-based phaseout, I guarantee you it won't start at "a few hundred thousand." It will start at the U.S. median household income so that a retired couple earning $70,000 from investments will only get back pennies of the $200,000+ they've paid into Social Security.

If I had to guess I would guess that ElLeon might be in favor or privatization and individual accounts.....like those two things really have to go together.

Every time we have a privatization effort in this state what it really means is awarding huge no bid contracts to political affiliate buddies who rip off everyone else until the state has to take the program back over and make good on the services.

Individual accounts might not be such a bad thing. So if you don't put it in then you cant take it out but I will vote no on privatization. I've seen the problems with government services turned private then taken back over with nothing left of them.

We already have a program where if you decide to take a payout at 62....you get a reduced check. This was a form of if you really aren't going to need it then you can have it now or if you need it now due to illness etc and another which allows a retired State Employee to access a SS leveling program which provides them more income at retirement but takes an even larger bite from the employees account because he gets it longer. So there are programs that reduced the SS amount taken already in place for those people who want it now and have plenty to live off of.

When I hear the kinds of comments like I just read from ElLeon that's the first thing I think about. Somehow I don't think he is as concerned about the welfare of all of us boomers as he is something else. After all he knows nothing about money management being a CPA.

 

[Highmiles]

Great insight!
For those who aren't clear...Baby Boomers are those individuals born between 1946 and 1964 (this is the general agreement).

Now as far as recruiting that cohort into the pool environment, it's possible.
However, I think the easier approach is to get them in as spectators.
Yes, it's great for them to play, but what the billiard industry needs to do is
somehow create market strategies that will entice them to visit events.
Wherever a large (or small) tournament is taking place look for nearby (local)
retirement centers, assisted living centers, and the like.
Those places have shuttles that can take its residents on daytime excursions—why not the pool tourney?

On the main, this population of people has good spending power.
If they grew up during the Hustler, then they no doubt, have heard of Mosconi and Fats.
Let's reintroduce them to the game and show them how it's changed for the better, e.g. more professional, non-smoking.

The only thing is, I don't know how one would go about this other than post flyers for tournaments at places I have mentioned....

Posting fliers in retirement centers might get someone, but it won't be Baby Boomers. I don't have a single contemporary in a place like that. I am from the early end of the cycle (1947), and play most every day. Two or three days a week at a pool hall, the rest at home on a 9' table. I drive just fine in my Z, thank you very much. Yes I am familiar with Mosconi, Fats, and The Hustler. Have also played against Kelly Oyama, And Allison, at Mother's, in Charlotte, NC, before Mother's went to Hell. Sort of played against Earl, at Breaktime in Greensboro, NC, (actually I watched him run 9 tables in a row, in a race to 9). We do not have one foot in the grave. If you want more of us back in the game, find us some old restored pool halls that look like pool halls, instead of nightclubs with some tables, or sanitized rec centers. The current 16 year old denizens of those try to hustle us and usually have little or no pool etiquette, no understanding of the history of the game, and wouldn't take free help, if I would raise them 2 levels.
Like everything, there are exceptions, and some young people soak up pointers, like a sponge, and many of them have become very good friends.
Unfortunately most of my friends are into other things, all of them expensive. High on the list, are shooting sports, golf, and (gasp), rat rods, hot rods, and car restorations.
Baby Boomers aren't invalids yet, so give us a break. lol
P.S. We can't pass SS packages because the young idiot voters don't care about us, and we're out numbered. Don't really blame them, and don't care, because I saved my whole life so I could retire. When they retire, if they ever can, most of them will be broke, but that is their problem. lol.

 

[Highmiles]

Starting a daytime senior league would be a great idea, but all the "players" are waiting in line at the senior centers to play on the crappy tables. Local place has two tables, and long lines. Their advantage, is free table time, and a free lunch.