Are you doing better than four years ago?

[Chubroach]

ARE YOU DOING BETTER "ECONOMICALLY" THAN FOUR YEARS AGO?

Remember that famous question that Ronald Reagan asked in a debate when he ran against Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election? Back then due to a slugish economy the typical response was NO I am not doing any better than four years ago.

Move forward to 2004 and I expect John Kerry will be using the same line in his run for the Presidency. I have not seen a poll on that question yet but suspect that the answer for the typical person is the same as 1980, NO!

How about for you? (If you were working four years ago)

 

[Robinrs]

Let me see:

Four years ago I was in a great job in a corner office that I had for 12 years with a HUGE 401K, had two parents, a child in the 1st grade and a pretty good sense of the future.

Fast forward 4 years:

I am unemployed for a year and everyone in my business is in a hiring freeze. I've drained my 401 K and my unemployment is due to end in two weeks. I am the sole support of my home with one child in the 4th grade and both of parents are in heaven.

Yep, I'd say I'm just doing GREAT.....

 

[shortbun]

In the last 4 years-I lost a job I had been doing for 29 years.
I was without work for 8 months and took a huge cut in pay
to take the job I have now. I like my current job a lot but the
loss of a paycheck for 8 months and finally taking a cut but
earning a paycheck has been financially hard. My husband is
self employed, has had to take over all parenting chores that
require being with DS during the day(sick days, field trips, professional days off school) and NO ONE has done anything to help us out.
We've taken care of everything ourselves but there are lots of
folks like us out here struggling while guys like my father get
a tax break. FYI, Dad has done nothing to stimulate the economy in the last 4 year-hired no one, bought nothing big and when he
travels: he stays in Motel 6. Mom says he rarely tips in the hotel
and has a hard time getting a tip in a restaurant over 15%. I assure you, my father is a typical 65 year old millionaire, the very
ones W says are stimulating the economy. BS, I say! By the way,
I did not ask for nor was I offerred any assistance by Dear old Dad while I was unemployed. His only comment was, "are you going to have to file bancruptcy?" I would have filed before I asked for help from him but geesh, what a guy. He voted for and
will vote for W again. Mom allows him to think she votes the same way....jokes on him, Mom thinks before she votes.

 

[Tinks]

Yes, we are. Thanks for asking.

 

[mom2of2]

Yup!

 

[ghcoughlin]

we're doing much better now then when we were in the Clinton years.DH and I were quite happy to cash our tax REBATE check last year.And we did our share of stimulating the economy...a trip to WDW.So as you can imagine DH and I will be casting our vote for four more years.As a middle class family we have had it with being taxed to death.

 

[tlgoblue]

This is going to get ugly.

 

[olena]

We are better off economically. Four years ago, we were engaged to be married. Now we have a house, more financial security and I've been able to do more volunteering and charity fundraising in my community.

Chris got into grad school, so we're hoping for even better days.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Well let's see...I changed employers about 2 years ago, got a big promotion and equally big pay raise. DH got promoted to being a foreman. Together we probably bring home about $40K more than 4 years ago. My stock porfolio and mutual funds are finally making a comeback.

Yes we've seen lots of jobs disappear - due in part to WA. State having the highest minimum wage. It's forced many employers to cut back to bare minimums on personnel just to stay in business. Thanks to our strong liberal democrates we also have the best welfare program in the US paid for by me & my DH & the other members of our states working class....

So yes, we're doing better and will vote for W again...

 

[kilee]

We are doing better too. But for us, age is a big part of it. We are very close to hitting that 30 mark. And I just think for us it's time and growing more mature has helped us to become more stable.

 

[GoofItUp]

I'm actually lots better. DH and I enjoyed our 'rebate' (didn't actually get anything back, but it did cut down on the amount we had to pay in). We have more trips on the books, paid additional principal on our house, and are looking at doing some remodeling on our house -- all of which stimulates the economy. We are by no means millionaires; many of us regular people were on the receiving end of the tax cut. More, more!!!

 

[CarolA]

I am, but my boyfriend is unemployed.

However..... I will NOT vote for W....I don't think he gets much credit for me being better off.

 

[Waffles]

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm a substitute teacher (at my choice) and have been for 20 years. However, it's been FOUR years since our school district has granted Subs a raise.

But........DH and I have been doing careful budgeting and saving in these last four years so financially we are still doing better. Of course ask this question a year and half from now when our 2nd DS goes off to college!!!

 

[katerkat]

Yes, Bush gave my husband a pay raise and our BAH is being realigned so it better fits with the COL in each area. ]

 

[Hagred]

Nope. I'm much, much worse off and Robin's story is very similar to mine. I also had to cash out a 401K (thank god I have another one) to stay afloat.

My vote's going to anyone but Bush. I don't see how Kerry can do any worse. When you hit bottom, there's no where to go but up.

 

[Mr.BsMom]

Actually, yes we are. Thanks for asking!

 

[tnkrbell]

Yes we are Thank God!! And Knock on wood!!!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

As with every presidency, my answer is NO! It wasn't any better for me with Bush, Sr. so I voted for Clinton. BIG MISTAKE there! Didn't do any better with Clinton either. I don't blame it on the presidents, I blame it on the CORPORATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! The ones who directly pay me! I'll stick with what I have, thanks very much!!

 

[Micca]

Yes, but because DW earned a well deserved promotion that was years in the making. I don't blame or credit the federal government for our improvement.