Hey America: Are you better off?

[DNP]

Are you better off?

No doubt, the economy is gloomy. But how are you doing? It's a question the candidates are asking - and an issue that Americans are dealing with every day.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The statistics are grim: Inflation is at a 17-year high. Unemployment is rising. Foreclosures are spreading.

For many Americans, however, these figures are simply numbers. They are still gainfully employed and paying their mortgages. Sure, they are shelling out more for gas and groceries, which might prompt them to skip a movie or a dinner out. But overall, they are still better off than they were when America's last recession ended in November 2001.

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[Donald Aquilano]

To answer your question yes I am better off. Now your going to find people who will say no just because Bush is president but over all the economy is still sound for now. I work for a food broker and we have more business than we can handle even with food prices on the rise.

 

[draggar]

I don't think I am. 8 years ago I was just starting to live with my wife and I had almost no credit card debt (less than $400). We lived in an apartment across the street from the beach in a small coastal NJ town. The CCs are 95% my fault (yes, some emergencies came up that required them - $3000 to fix a car, ER visit, etc..), so I have no one to blame but myself for those.

Now, I'm poor and living in the ghetto (but at least I can still pay my bills and have no fears of foreclosure).

 

[Delton77]

I will be welcoming the change from Bush! We are in serious need of relief. I haven't been hit near has hard as some people, but still feeling it!

 

[hittjw]

No doubt, the economy is gloomy. But how are you doing? It's a question the candidates are asking - and an issue that Americans are dealing with every day.

It's funny how candidates are presenting that they have something to do with an individuals personal success. In every day and age, no matter the economy, some people do good while others suffer.

I'm doing better than I was two years ago, not because of the economy, but because of my own efforts and diligence. If I waited around for presidents to earn a living, I wouldn't get anything done.

I guess many Americans don't know any better and they sit around waiting for stimulus checks, tax breaks, and good news from the president.

Best,

Justin

 

[jberryhill]

The "are you better off than you were four years ago" thing gets trotted out ever since it was started by Reagan IIRC.

Because, you know, that's what America stands for. A true patriot bases his love of country on his/her bank account, and recites the Pledge of Allegiance as "Every man for himself! I got mine, now you get yours."

 

[randomo]

I guess many Americans don't know any better and they sit around waiting for stimulus checks, tax breaks, and good news from the president.

That's one thing I have to thank Bush for - I made a nice profit off StimulusChecks(.)com.

 

[Theo]

Am I better off financially than 4 years ago? Yes.
But the reasons go beyond what the average American family faces today.
I work for myself, have no obligation towards others, I am able to cut down on expenses and seek maximization of my income. However, I did not have to serve in a war and/or lose my job. Hundreds of thousands of others did. Today's main sentiment in the US is numbness instead of joy, apprehension instead of content. There is no chance of euphoria, when a war ongoing since 2003 is sucking away the mental and financial resources and the focus of an entire nation, when the funds go towards bombs and military rations instead of schools and health care. When the Republican candidate is a 72-year old, financially-secure, keyword-totting, war-loving individual whose biggest accomplishment is that he was downed in Vietnam, there is little to expect than to seek change, improvement and a 180 degree turn from today's conservative politics.

 

[Adapt Web]

Am I better off financially than 4 years ago? Yes.
But the reasons go beyond what the average American family faces today.
I work for myself, have no obligation towards others, I am able to cut down on expenses and seek maximization of my income. However, I did not have to serve in a war and/or lose my job. Hundreds of thousands of others did. Today's main sentiment in the US is numbness instead of joy, apprehension instead of content. There is no chance of euphoria, when a war ongoing since 2003 is sucking away the mental and financial resources and the focus of an entire nation, when the funds go towards bombs and military rations instead of schools and health care. When the Republican candidate is a 72-year old, financially-secure, keyword-totting, war-loving individual whose biggest accomplishment is that he was downed in Vietnam, there is little to expect than to seek change, improvement and a 180 degree turn from today's conservative politics.

100% co-signed and agreed