Are you better off than you were four years ago?

Question

Ronald Regan masterfully ended his presidential debate with Jimmy Carter with this question. After learning this, I’m asking myself the same question. Expand the question over the entire term of the current administration. Are you better off than you were seven years ago? Personally, my answer is no. Seven years ago was before I was wounded in Iraq, before I lost five classmates in the war, and before gas prices were nearly $3 a gallon. What about you? Are you better off? Is America?

Answer 1

Personally, I'm better, but that's because I've worked hard to improve my life. Not saying that you haven't or that others haven't. I hope you recover and we're all grateful and thankful for your service in the military.

As far as America, more countries dislike us, we have an illegal immigration problem, we're fighting an unpopular war and we're being led by an unpopular president. Our govenment is filled with scandals and there's a lot of partisan politics going on.

Sure, there hasn't been attacks on U.S. soil since 2001, but lets not forget that it took 8 yrs from the '93 WTC bombing before the terrorists attacked again on 9/11. The terrorists are very patient and they definitely mean to harm us. We have to build allies around the world who will help our fight against terrorism and not alienate them.

Answer 2

I haven't been affected by the war in such a personal manner. If a week goes by where I don't watch the news or purchase gas, it doesn't affect me at all. Economically I am better off but it has nothing to do with the $300.00 tax credit from the Bush administration. As a member of the upper middle class, the economy hasn't changed that much since Clinton, but if your truly a member of the upper middle class, the economy never changes. That's the advantage of wealth. I think the national economy is in shambles and no doubt there will be huge tax increases pay for the war.

Answer 3

No. I lost 2 friends in this illegal war. 4 years ago they were here....and alive. Now, they're dead because Bush needed make even more money by fooling America into supporting an illegal war. Things are only getting worse. Terrorist attacks have nothing to do with it. There will always be terrorists attacks. Bush has done nothing at home to prevent any more attacks. Historically, they happen every 7-9 years, regardless of which party is in charge.

Answer 4

I would say we are about the same. Our salaries have kept pace with the Cost of Living. But this is money and not how live my life. I personally don't know anyone who has died in Iraq or Afghanistan, but I do know people who are over there. I'm grateful we aren't worse off. Now if you are talking about health-LOL. I'm close to 50, my husband is close to 52 and we have all the aches and pains of mid-life. In that respect, we are worse off. On the other hand, we aren't dead and our family is in good health. In fact, my father will celebrate his 90th birthday in less than two weeks and he is in relatively good health and living on his own in his own home. Praise God for that!

Answer 5

I am better off. More than four years ago, I took early retirement. Now I am collecting Social Security as well as retirement benefits.
Since the US economy is booming, lots of people are paying taxes, so there is money to pay my benefits. I think that is great.

Answer 6

i am better off than i was four years ago, but i was still in college at the time. i have graduated and now have a job that i like and a new condo and car to go with it. sure the gas prices are annoying, but i can ride a bike so its only my fault if i get too dependent on gas.

Answer 7

In my personal world bubble: I now own a house (which I didn't 6 years ago); I am gainfully employed (same a six years ago); I no longer have a car payment (which I did six years ago); I pay exorbitantly high property taxes (which is not the result of any Federal laws or policies - strictly local so I won't include this one); I have about the same personal debt that I did six years ago (more than I would prefer but not crippling). All in all - I am better off now than six years ago.

Is America better off? OF COURSE! Anyone looking objectively at the leading economic indicators would agree with that statement. Let's start with factual economic indicators, which can be verified at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Government Printing Office and/or Census Bureau:
--The Bureau of Labor Statistics: More Than 7.8 Million Jobs Created Since August 2003. The economy has added jobs for 43 straight months.
--Historically low unemployment rate of 4.4%
--Real after-tax income per person has risen by 10%, more than $2,900 since 2001
--GDP has experience uninterrupted growth over the last five years, averaging 3% per year since 2001
--Productivity growth has averaged 2.8% growth per year since the first quarter of 2001
--US Exports grew faster than US Imports in 2006 for the first time since 1997 (12.7% vs 10.5%). Last year the United States exported a record $1.4 trillion dollars worth of goods and services – making us the largest exporter in the world. As we expand free and fair trade, America enjoys lower prices, better jobs, and increased productivity.
--The US homeownership rate reached a record 69.2 percent in the second quarter of 2004. The number of homeowners in the United States reached 73.4 million, the most ever. And for the first time, the majority of minority Americans own their own homes.

Of the more subjective accomplishments that make America better than it was 6 years ago:
-- Advancing freedom and human dignity through Democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq
--Preventing attacks by terrorist networks at home
--Deny WMD to rouge states and terrorist allies who seek to use them
--Deny terrorists the support and sanctuary of rogue states.
-- Deny terrorists control of any area they would use as a base and launching pad for terror.

All in all - America is better off today than it was 6 years ago.

Answer 8

Yeah, pretty much. I could be even better, but I am better off than I was 4 years ago, even 8.

Yes, I, too, would like to thank you for your service and I am sorry for your losses as well.

Answer 9

No, my debt burden is huge due to student loans (even though I was on a full fellowship) that were necessary to survive in NY. I never was an overspeander. I just don't feel like I can make it work anymore.

Answer 10

hmm id like to think i am. 4 years ago i was dating a guy who was terrible to me and many years away from getting out of school.