Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?

[lily]

Are you better off now than you were four years ago? It seems to be the question most people ask around election time, so I thought I'd ask.

[BoogyMan]

I know that I am doing better now than I was 4 years ago. I am not only taking into account the economic picture either, everything about life (except for the rampant asthma) is just as good as or better than it was 4 years ago.

[Buck Laser]

Well, in the last four years, I've survived leukemia, two attacks of shingles, a heart attack, late onset diabetes, my daughter's divorce, and prolly a few other things. On the other hand, I'm still here, and doing my damnedest to see that we get a REAL president elected this year.

Living as I do on a fixed income, I'm worried as hell about the economy, and about the apparent fact that Bush's economic proposals are aimed moe at rescuing the big companies than at making some real long-range changes. I've never ceased to be glad I bought that Honda Hybrid nearly 4 years ago.

The hardest thing from a rational point of view is to see my constitutional rights and civil liberties dribble away, between legalized wire tapping and denial of habeas corpus. I'm truly worried about what kind of world is gonna be left to my grandchildren.

[Cobra]

yep, don't have much to do with any political situation in the country tho..

[Osborn F. Enready]

I am not doing better now.

My community and surrounding communities, have lost more jobs than were created. The housing market has cost people in this area REAL income loss, and the Fed has compounded the problem by reducing the buying power of the dollars in my pocket. Licensing for just about everything has gone up, taxes are not coming down, but instead, going up. My rights are being threatened in law daily by one major party or the other, for some false reason or another, under the pretext that people are stupid and must have a government nanny to oversee, care for and provide for them at every corner. Due to all of the above, the general mood of people in this area is rather sour... people have less time to spend doing things they enjoy because they are spending more time working to pay for the same things they were buying 4 years, 8 years ago. Stress levels are high.... .but understandbly so....

[4Reaganomics]

I am much better than I was four years ago because I worked unbelievably hard to better my situation.

If four years go by under any president and I haven't made my situation better, than I have failed.

let alone a president who allows us to keep more of our hard earned income, then I should definetely have myself in a better position than previously

[firefox]

I'm better off in the sense that I'm almost done with college (woo!), and I should be able to find good work for a long-term career. The caveats of this are of course the crappy economy/high inflation/taxes, and the fact that my ever-increasing levels of political activism will probably not make things any easier as far as audits, etc. go.

[Keith Hamburger]

If you have ask me this one month ago, I would have said absolutely "Yes". However, I was laid off about two weeks ago.

My wife retired with a reasonable pension, yesterday. And, chances are, she will be going back to work as a contractor in about a week.

I guess, at this point, with my wife's pension, I will never have to worry about putting food on the table again. I'm not, at this point, making as much as I did four years ago, but my families income is guaranteed for the rest of my life.

Better? I'm not really sure.

Keith

[Go Fish]

Yup. I conquered my inner demons and earned 47,000 points for doing it with a Super Mario Brothers Thermite Grenade.
They didn't stand a chance.

[jafar00]

I'm much better off. I am in good health, I have my own booming business, and 2 new children during that time, and have expanded my horizons with a bit of travel.

Life is great :)

[Pookie]

I'd have to say no. Our raises haven't matched the increased cost of living, and gas prices are much higher.
Purrs,
Pookie

[preservanation]

Yes.
what's this "depends on...?"
Either you are or you're not.

I'm fearful for my financial future if the cap gains and income taxes is raised, Fed regulations multiply like Tribbles, SS, Medicare and Medicaid are left to whither on the vine, FICA is raised, leave Iraq in defeat and we go down a trade protectionist path like some are proposing.

[apdst]

I'm definitely better of than I was four years ago. However, the Liberal compaign to destroy the oil and gas industry concerns me. I believe that with a Democratic president and a Democratic congress, I won't be better off four years from now.

[potter]

I'm better off but its no thanks to any politician....it's due to a lot of hard work and persistence on my part.

[Cobra]

lol I'm better off and it didn't even take more work.

[potter]

lol I'm better off and it didn't even take more work.


Well, it's taken us quite a bit of work to straighten your ass out... :nana:

[lily]

Good one potter!

As for the question, thought it was time I answered. No, I'm not better off. Food has gone through the roof, trips I used to make twice a month are now cut down to once every two months. Extras are a thing of the past and what kills me the most is I can't spoil my grandkids the way I used to.

Medical expenses are sky high, which also has a direct link back to the economy, as unions have to give concessions in order to keep jobs here.

Only good thing is I've been through a recession before and I know how to cut corners.

[potter]

Good one potter!

As for the question, thought it was time I answered. No, I'm not better off. Food has gone through the roof, trips I used to make twice a month are now cut down to once every two months. Extras are a thing of the past and what kills me the most is I can't spoil my grandkids the way I used to.

Medical expenses are sky high, which also has a direct link back to the economy, as unions have to give concessions in order to keep jobs here.

Only good thing is I've been through a recession before and I know how to cut corners.



Yup...costs are killing me, but I paid off all my bills so it's easier for me to pay the other bills. Saving for retirement is tough.

[potter]

I'm definitely better of than I was four years ago. However, the Liberal compaign to destroy the oil and gas industry concerns me. I believe that with a Democratic president and a Democratic congress, I won't be better off four years from now.


Really.... :ponder:

What campaign would that be?

To eliminate some chump change tax credits?

[Cobra]

Paying for college is tough, I ain't gona get a lick of government aid money according to my FASFA report but then didn't really expect to.

My parents will take care of most of anything I can't thru scholarships/ect.

[potter]

Paying for college is tough, I ain't gona get a lick of government aid money according to my FASFA report but then didn't really expect to.

My parents will take care of most of anything I can't thru scholarships/ect.

:thumbsup:

I think that's something to be proud of cobra. :thumbsup:

[Cobra]

Shoot, I'll take whatever handouts i can get.

[cronic]

POST #5 (http://www.democracyforums.com/showthread.php?tid=12980)

Read that and attach my name below Osborn's

[Mia]

The economy tanked after 9/11 and the war machine revved up. The industry I worked in took a huge hit and has not recovered - few make the incomes they used to.

The PA and other legislation,,,,,,no, I'm not better off.

[apdst]

Shoot, I'll take whatever handouts i can get.

Our next generation.

[Buck Laser]

Yes.
what's this "depends on...?"
Either you are or you're not.

I'm fearful for my financial future if the cap gains and income taxes is raised, Fed regulations multiply like Tribbles, SS, Medicare and Medicaid are left to whither on the vine, FICA is raised, leave Iraq in defeat and we go down a trade protectionist path like some are proposing.

What a pointless point, Pres. I'm a bit better off financially right now than I was four years ago, owing to a good year in the market last year. But I expect the shit to hit the fan. If you think that's a black/white situation, then you have a faulty grasp of reality. I've often thought that what most characterizes conservatives is that they're almost totally incapable of dealing with ambiguity. You've just proved it.

[preservanation]

Shoot, I'll take whatever handouts i can get.

Our next generation.
Scary.
Cobra may be kidding, but that attitude is quite prevalent.
Some seem to want to cede their freedom to gov entities for a couple shiny baubles, which are actually mirages of shiny baubles.
I've often thought that what most characterizes conservatives is that they're almost totally incapable of dealing with ambiguity. You've just proved it. Ambiguity is in the eye of the beholder.
Some people are just more confused than others.

[jafar00]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm buying US$ while they are dirt cheap :D

[Deadshot]

I answered no for quite a few reasons.

1. I don't feel safer then I did four years ago. With the story's about lack of air marshalls, problems at our borders and the FBI on the Hill begging for more money to fight terrorism, I simply don't feel safer.

2. Financially I am doing just a little bit better, just enough to say that I'm not stagnant. But with the falling dollar; home foreclosures; people and businesses filing for bankrupcy (SouthWest Airlines today); and a slow to stagnant Stock Market (02 Apr 08 it closed at 12,608 02 Apr 07 closed at 12,382) make me feel less safe.

3. A POTUS and VPOTUS in the White House, and this is Cheney more then Bush, telling people that they don't really care about Democrats or what they think, makes me as a Democrat feel less safe.

4. Finally, with two young daughters (10 & 12) a nephew (10) and a lot of freinds and cousins with children hereing a candidate for the POTUS talk about 100 years more of war does not make me feel safe.

The country needs a change, we'll be getting one very, very soon and it's been too long waiting for it!

[brien]

Economically at least by double....but, oh the taxes... :clapper:

Healthwise, 1000% since in 2001 a Dr told me I was terminally ill..:sick:

Spiritually......at least 100 fold...:peace:

Overall.........you betcha:thumbsup:

[potter]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm buying US$ while they are dirt cheap :D


Well...I'm sure that'll be a winning proposition.....:shame:

[ChingChangChewie]

The only one who has a shot at ruining the whole world is the U.S president... Bill Clinton lost that shot, but Bush did not...

[micfranklin]

I'm about the same from then, more or less, except I was in high school complaining about my PS2 not working.

[Phyxius]

Well, in the last four years, I've survived leukemia, two attacks of shingles, a heart attack, late onset diabetes, my daughter's divorce, and prolly a few other things. On the other hand, I'm still here, and doing my damnedest to see that we get a REAL president elected this year.

Memo to me: Don't ever doubt Buck's tenacity... :worship:

[Phyxius]

I am better off, but it has NOTHING to do with the current administration or anything they have or haven't done. More to do with finally gathering up the courage to take a leap of faith where my career was concerned that paid off marvelously...

[David]

Not really. Not much worse off physically and I have more money, but 4 years ago I still had hope. All that's left is anger.

[ViolaLee]

I'm not better off. My salary isn't keeping up with the doubled cost of gas and the higher prices of everything else due to the rise in gas prices.

[David]

I'm not better off. My salary isn't keeping up with the doubled cost of gas and the higher prices of everything else due to the rise in gas prices.

I don't bother. Public Buses FTW :thumbsup:

[Moorington]

A lot better!

My parents are both doing amazingly well, (one's a finacial advisor, another a general contractor) and I'm about to get a summer job at a summer camp this year. Good health, good weather, couldn't be better.

[Easy90]

I'm better off than 4 years ago. Last year I had more income by 30% than 4 years ago...But I think most people are worse off than two years ago.

Since the Democrats won the congress...gas is up by 35%, unemployment is up by 10%, Americans have lost over two trillion dollars in stock equity..and nearly two trillion in home values. So, the Dems promised change...and we got it. Happy?

[potter]

After receiving my 401K statement I find that no...I am not better off...In fact as far as my retirement, I may be fucked......

[Mayberry]

Seeing as how 4 years ago I lost my job, yes I am doing better. But with rising energy and food costs (always conveniently left out of inflation numbers :ponder:) I'm not really. I'm watching my life swirl around the commode. I'm an outdoorsman and my life runs on gasoline. I've got free reign of Texas' state parks but I can't afford to drive to them. I had to sell my offshore fishing boat because I could no longer afford to feed her. I haven't been SCUBA diving in 2 years. I haven't been offshore since last summer (when the Gulf is calm enough for me to get out there in my "dingy"), and even then it was only 8 miles versus the 30 to 50 miles I used to run to get to the big 'uns! Kingfish (while fun) get old. I wanna wahoo! Or a tuna. A marlin would be nice. Or an amberjack...... :sadly: Ya gotta get out there a ways to get the good fish. Big game fish don't hang out on the beach around here. :shame: Jeez, now I'm depressed.

[Elrathin]

And with the falling dollar, the price of gas is only going to go up.