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augyboston

(360 posts)
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 06:30 AM Jun 25

I'm a boomer and I'll be the first to tell you that it is time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/24/new-york-mayoral-primary-results

Mamdani's win is exhilarating. Our party needs to get younger and aggressively embrace its ideals.

The days of Republican Light are over!
44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I'm a boomer and I'll be the first to tell you that it is time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. (Original Post) augyboston Jun 25 OP
Good, but history is littered with young socialists over-promising bucolic_frolic Jun 25 #1
Maybe but seems capitalism overpromises and under delivers cally Jun 25 #2
There's the boogie man word, "Socialists" that is always used by naysayers. I say Yes We Can! augyboston Jun 25 #4
That's how the article labeled him. /nt bucolic_frolic Jun 25 #5
Well, it actually labeled him as what he calls himself -- a democratic socialist as Bernie does. But yeah, the label KPN Jun 26 #41
I say socialist and socialism as if they are good things. BOSSHOG Jun 25 #28
Perhaps, but I'd choose them over young fascists Klondike Kat Jun 25 #7
Recent history is full of centrists losing elections. Emile Jun 25 #15
Perhaps, but this is the here and now. Magoo48 Jun 25 #20
As opposed to old Republicans who flat out lie? tinrobot Jun 25 #23
Sounds better than another tax cut for billionaires. Emile Jun 25 #27
Big money donors have lost in NYC. Fabulous. delisen Jun 25 #3
As a 71 year old white anglo saxon WVreaper Jun 25 #6
As an 82 y.o., Irish, Italian, Aryian (really, and don't ask, 'cause I don't know), 3Hotdogs Jun 25 #12
I don't care about age. I will support whoever pushes SINGLE PAYER. multigraincracker Jun 25 #8
I'm generation Hippie myself, barbtries Jun 25 #9
Out of control predatory capitalism eventually invites more socially orientated candidates. hadEnuf Jun 25 #10
FDR 😀 LSparkle Jun 25 #13
+1 Emile Jun 25 #16
In chaos bdamomma Jun 25 #29
Hmmm Lotusflower70 Jun 25 #11
and he was running against a repeat sexual harrasser moonshinegnomie Jun 25 #22
There is that Lotusflower70 Jun 25 #25
and the NY Police Union endorsed Trump. Emile Jun 25 #33
Mamdani "has a big problem with coalition building?" markpkessinger Jun 26 #39
It worked for now Lotusflower70 Jun 27 #44
We need younger people running! Yes! AllyCat Jun 25 #14
I'm a boomer too and I can remember the days when we didn't have all the answers FakeNoose Jun 25 #17
I think there are more than enough torches for anyone who wants one. Torchlight Jun 25 #18
all americans should be on this . i am ready to check out and have been for a long time AllaN01Bear Jun 25 #19
Im also a boomer. its time for the old guard to pass the torch moonshinegnomie Jun 25 #21
Boomer here also - of course that is not gonna happen walkingman Jun 25 #26
Age is everything bad Progressive dog Jun 25 #24
I'm sure we're gonna see more Gen X and Millenials voted in sakabatou Jun 25 #30
The torch bdamomma Jun 25 #31
Agree. And they need to go full Dem socialist/FDR. Nt CousinIT Jun 25 #32
Yup. It's coming. Joinfortmill Jun 25 #35
Me, too. Totally agree. Joinfortmill Jun 25 #34
About Time OC375 Jun 25 #36
A younger generation who have not been brought up on the ideal of "compromise"--- Jack Valentino Jun 25 #37
I'm a boomer, too Sparkly Jun 26 #38
Sorry to hear Sparkly. Hope you are holding up well. KPN Jun 26 #43
"Young wolves, show us your teeth." John Steinbeck Ping Tung Jun 26 #40
All three of my adult children have been saying that they and all their friends support a KPN Jun 26 #42

bucolic_frolic

(51,522 posts)
1. Good, but history is littered with young socialists over-promising
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 06:42 AM
Jun 25

freeze rent and free buses.

Freeze rent: landlords will lower investment and repair in their properties

free buses: That's going to come in contact with reality of how to pay for it

cally

(21,771 posts)
2. Maybe but seems capitalism overpromises and under delivers
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 06:48 AM
Jun 25

How has tax cuts for the rich worked out? How has subsidies for inner city investment worked out? How has need to reduce regulations to stimulate investment workout or long term no tax on internet sales worked out.

I don’t consider myself a socialist nor a democratic socialist but we need new ideas, new energy. NYC has had rent control for a long time yet still thrives. Many, many major cities offer free buses and reduced transportation costs. I’m not willing to say it won’t work when many of our current approaches don’t work.

KPN

(16,770 posts)
41. Well, it actually labeled him as what he calls himself -- a democratic socialist as Bernie does. But yeah, the label
Thu Jun 26, 2025, 12:10 PM
Jun 26

has been demonized by the Rs over decades sufficiently so that it is equated by many with USSR style communism. Definitely a hurdle ... but perhaps and hopefully not invincible. I do think there is value in embracing the term socialism proudly and openly as opposed to shunning and shrinking away from it. All public services and goods are essentially socialism. That's not a complex notion.

BOSSHOG

(43,368 posts)
28. I say socialist and socialism as if they are good things.
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:44 PM
Jun 25

Because guys who need bigger yachts have made them good things. The big beautiful bill which is as ugly as a cross between a trump and a hegseth have made them good things. Any Republican in Washington who orates loudly gives justification for them being good things.

I’m a Vet. I served for liberty and Justice and the constitution including that quaint notion of due process. I did not serve so billionaires could buy votes to get bigger yachts through paying less taxes. Socialism V Fascism? The choice couldn’t be clearer today in the USA. Go ahead. Make you choice.

Klondike Kat

(895 posts)
7. Perhaps, but I'd choose them over young fascists
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 07:37 AM
Jun 25

which seem to be what Republicans are cultivating.

The Overton Window needs to be pulled back to the left, bit by bit. What was previously left is now center-right and what was right is now extreme right/fascist. That's my nickel's worth (inflation).

Magoo48

(6,527 posts)
20. Perhaps, but this is the here and now.
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:07 AM
Jun 25

The Young folks out there at this moment, are as focused on the problems at hand as any of the old guard, and, they bring their enthusiasm, stamina, and determination which are bonuses of their youth. We are in a right fucking Fix, so, lets Incorporated the new, especially in places where some of our leaders now seem to be rocking back, leaving the real fighting to a much treasured view.

tinrobot

(11,652 posts)
23. As opposed to old Republicans who flat out lie?
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:43 AM
Jun 25

I mean, seriously.

Perhaps he promises a lot, but even getting half those promises enacted moves the needle in the proper direction.

delisen

(7,111 posts)
3. Big money donors have lost in NYC. Fabulous.
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 07:12 AM
Jun 25

Bringing in new voters also fabulous.

So far, so good.

3Hotdogs

(14,383 posts)
12. As an 82 y.o., Irish, Italian, Aryian (really, and don't ask, 'cause I don't know),
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 08:22 AM
Jun 25

I agree.

Jimmy wanted to vote for Kamala before he died.

I hope I get to vote for A.O.C.

multigraincracker

(36,007 posts)
8. I don't care about age. I will support whoever pushes SINGLE PAYER.
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 07:54 AM
Jun 25

Health care is killing everyone here.

barbtries

(30,604 posts)
9. I'm generation Hippie myself,
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 08:13 AM
Jun 25

and I endorse this message.
We fucked it up for the coming generations, but they have the brilliance and the energy to make it right for themselves. Not that I'll just go hide in a corner, but I'm ready for the next generations to assume leadership.

hadEnuf

(3,317 posts)
10. Out of control predatory capitalism eventually invites more socially orientated candidates.
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 08:14 AM
Jun 25

Trump destroying the social safety net and letting the treasury be looted is the very definition of predatory capitalism. Not to mention the authoritarian crackdown that is happening.

This has happened throughout modern history.

Lotusflower70

(3,104 posts)
11. Hmmm
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 08:20 AM
Jun 25

New blood is one thing but he has a big problem with coalition building and alienating certain demographics. He is also generating a GOP throwback to 9/11 that is very concerning. He is being labeled as anti-police, been seeing a lot of his defund the police tweets being posted. He is helping GOP fundraising

moonshinegnomie

(3,533 posts)
22. and he was running against a repeat sexual harrasser
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:40 AM
Jun 25

a centrist who only excited the old guard whos time has passed.

Lotusflower70

(3,104 posts)
25. There is that
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:35 PM
Jun 25

Right. The bar was so low. He wasn't competing against much. He is not at all prepared for what is coming from the other side

Lotusflower70

(3,104 posts)
44. It worked for now
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 05:47 AM
Jun 27

Yes but he has a problem with the base of the Democratic party. I think generally there is a blatant disregard for experience and black people particularly black women. A lot of people were split and he is not making outreach to them. After the last election, the party is moving to center white men again. 9/11 is coming up in an ugly way for him.

AllyCat

(18,077 posts)
14. We need younger people running! Yes!
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 08:27 AM
Jun 25

We need a mix of representatives that look like our country!

FakeNoose

(37,950 posts)
17. I'm a boomer too and I can remember the days when we didn't have all the answers
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 08:56 AM
Jun 25

We thought we knew everything ... then we found out otherwise.

Along with youth comes energy and a lot of hubris.

My awakening began in my early 40s when I started taking trips to Europe, mostly to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. What they've done in post-war Europe - with our help - is more of an eye-opener than anything I've seen here in the US. More Americans need to go there with an open mind and a clear knowledge of 20th century history.

AllaN01Bear

(26,545 posts)
19. all americans should be on this . i am ready to check out and have been for a long time
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 08:57 AM
Jun 25

note, ai aint going to fo anything stupid.

moonshinegnomie

(3,533 posts)
21. Im also a boomer. its time for the old guard to pass the torch
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:37 AM
Jun 25

ive been saying this for a while. its time for the old guard (which i call anyone who was in office when clinton was elected to his first term) to retire. we need mre young firebrands like aoc,crockett,and the like


walkingman

(9,587 posts)
26. Boomer here also - of course that is not gonna happen
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:42 PM
Jun 25

but I see the party moving more and more that way. I hope things don't have to get worse before the message is clear.

Progressive dog

(7,500 posts)
24. Age is everything bad
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 04:29 PM
Jun 25

Experience means nothing. That's how we win, especially with the birth rate dropping.

bdamomma

(68,864 posts)
31. The torch
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 09:58 PM
Jun 25

should not only be passed to younger blood and new ideas.

Those in the Congress who are way past retirement should retire. We know who they are.

OC375

(136 posts)
36. About Time
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 10:46 PM
Jun 25

They'll pass the torch and the biggest transfer of generational wealth in history, right past X and on to Millennials and Gen Z. Thanks, I guess.

Jack Valentino

(2,838 posts)
37. A younger generation who have not been brought up on the ideal of "compromise"---
Wed Jun 25, 2025, 11:36 PM
Jun 25

since the Republican party has long since abandoned that ideal,
there is no one LEFT to compromise with---!!!

(but older Democrats such as Schumer continue to search for them...)


I seek new leaders who are very willing to SPEAK HARSHLY
against the Republican party, their politicians, and their policies---

and Democrats who fail to do so because they hope to have a drink after-hours
with those Republicans, are sadly deluded....


Anybody with two brain cells left to rub together KNOWS
that those Republicans would cut off their own limbs
before having a drink after-hours with a DEMOCRAT,
"the very spawn of SATAN"! (Ironic, that!)

Sparkly

(24,701 posts)
38. I'm a boomer, too
Thu Jun 26, 2025, 12:51 AM
Jun 26

and I know we are dying. I literally have stage 4 cancer.

We are "passing the torch" and we have to.

I'm just sick of all the agism (along with the renewed sexism) against the most active, progressive youth movement you'll ever see! No, it wasn't perfect, but it got a lot done for civil rights, women's rights, economic opportunity, and the end to idiotic wars.

Now here we are again. It's fun to idolize the youth of the 60s and 70s then, right? But not now, when they're old (with one exception). The 80s "ME" generation won, and they're still mad at the boomers.

It's a sad, sad situation.

Ping Tung

(3,080 posts)
40. "Young wolves, show us your teeth." John Steinbeck
Thu Jun 26, 2025, 10:45 AM
Jun 26

I'm s preboomer and endorse the above statement.

KPN

(16,770 posts)
42. All three of my adult children have been saying that they and all their friends support a
Thu Jun 26, 2025, 12:20 PM
Jun 26

better balance between capitalism and socialism for nearly two decades now. That movement in thinking has only grown.

My view? If we want to save our democracy and Constitution, we baby boomers need to do everything we can to support and promote these young people and their leaders -- even if that means telling our generation's leaders it's time to yield and pass the torch. It's the young people's futures, not ours.

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