Through their imaginative visions, artists can give us hints of possible futures our society, but satirists do it best. Think Animal Farm, 1984, Jonathan Swift, the Onion and Steven Colbert.
Christopher Buckley's new book, Boomsday, comically depicts the coming intergenerational war as boomers retire and collect on their entitlements funded by an increasing taxes on younger folks.
Robert Samuelson takes note that 'Boomsday' is Approaching
Cassandra Devine knows how to solve the coming "entitlements'' crisis, preordained when the 77 million baby boomers begin hitting 65 in 2011: Pay retirees to kill themselves, a program she calls "transitioning.'' Volunteers could receive a lavish vacation beforehand ("a farewell honeymoon''), courtesy of the government, and their heirs would be spared the estate tax. If only 20 percent of boomers select suicide before the age of 70, she says, "Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid will be solvent. End of crisis.''
OK, Devine is a 29-year-old fictional blogger in Christopher Buckley's satirical novel "Boomsday.''
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Buckley's comic tale revolves around two truths usually buried in our dreary budget debates.
First, a generational backlash is inevitable...
Second, boomers will want even more benefits.
Baby Boomers,'' says Buckley's Devine, "made self-indulgence a virtue.'' Sure, that's a stereotype, but for opinion leaders and politicians, it is uncomfortably accurate