Conrad Hildebrandt

I'm going to break my own rule to never start a sentence with, "as a boomer". But as a boomer, I've done well. Yes, I've worked hard, mostly succeeded at what I wanted to do, had a good and satisfying career and was able to retire fairly comfortably. But I don't kid myself. I was also blessed, as most of us were, with very good luck to be born when I was. Stuff just worked out for most of us boomers, not because we were special, but because our timing was. And we had SFA to do with the timing. Dumb luck, is all. The younger generations coming up behind us are the future, not us, and they're every bit as smart as we were - check that, they're way smarter because they've had to deal with and adapt to an unprecedented pace of technological change that we just missed. Good timing again. But their timing sucks. They were saddled with the effects of COVID and had to live through what is, I believe, accurately described as the lost decade. They had nothing to do with the timing, little say in how the Trudeau Liberals mismanaged the economy, divided us against each other and ended up mortgaging their futures. It breaks my heart when I read stories about young people still living with their parents because they can't afford rent, let alone a downpayment on a house or a condo. It especially hurts when I hear about young people putting off, or deciding against, starting a family because the can't afford it. And, yes, I'm pissed off at Trudeau for all that. I'm also pissed off at Trump for disrupting our election with his tariff and 51st state bullshit. He's an old man trapped in a '70s loop and he's driving frightened fellow boomers into Carney's arms at the expense of our children and grandchildren. So as a boomer, I'm appealing to my generation to think hard before casting their vote. We did okay, our timing was great and take a bow if you must. But for God's sake accept the fact our time has come - it was great while it lasted - and is now fading, as it should. Don't succumb to the fear of the Orange Man. That's what the Liberals want you to do because they have nothing else on offer. Instead, choose hope for your kids over fear for yourselves. Vote for unity over division. Vote for change or, if you can't, at least get out of the way of it.