The baby boom generation was destined to be powerful culturally, economically and politically because of its disproportionate numbers—and because of its own high self-regard. In the late 1960s baby boomers, still plagued by acne, were featured on newsmagazine covers as the most wonderful generation ever; in 1969 Wellesley College valedictorian Hillary Rodham got national news coverage for a vaporous graduation speech which started off with condescending remarks to the outside speaker, Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke, and his G.I. generation.

Now baby boomers are heading into their retirement years and the assessments are no longer so glowing. Baby boomer Walter Russell Mead has a characteristically brilliant essay on his American Interest blog entitled, “Listen Up, Boomers: The Backlash Has Begun.” His conclusion seems to be that boomers are better than pond scum, at least on balance. Here’s an excerpt: