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Are You Better off Than You Were Four Years Ago?

The answer to this varies, but we're asking you to think about how the answer applies to you directly.

The 2012 election is the first Tuesday of November and we're into the final campaign stretch. With the Republican National Convention set to start in Tampa today, or when Isaac lets it, and the Democratic National Convention to follow in North Carolina, things are about to get really intense. The big question being asked is, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

The answer to this depends on who you are or who you listen to. Those supporting the Democratic ticket are trying everything to let you know you really are better off than you were when former President George Bush was in office. Conversely, if you listen to anyone hoping to change presidents in November, you're being told just how bad off you are now, almost four years later.

But you really know.

So our question is, ignoring all the chatter on both sides of this issue, do you believe that you are better off now than you were four years ago?  Also, is this answer based strictly on economic conditions or does personal happiness come into play as well? And finally, how big an influence does the answer to this question play in how you will vote in November?

Laura Cope September 1, 2012 at 12:33 am
I don’t see Mark Zuckerberg complaining about it. How old are you? Does Athens GrandMama know you’re online?
Athens Mama September 1, 2012 at 12:39 am
Mark Zuckerberg may not care, but as one who posts regularly on this site and invited bloggers to view his fb page - well, that's what it reflects.
Tammy Osier September 1, 2012 at 01:55 am
Athens mama - I found this on something else I was reading. This is something that really happened.
"The DC voucher program, passed by republicans in congress was an immediate success. Parents and students finally had the same chance as their more affluent neighbors....Students were excelling and thriving. When Obama came into office he ended this program, to the detriment of students in the area. Parents were furious, knowing it was a republican initiative that was helping their children to a better way of life." This is something that Romney is running on. Just thought you'd like to know where he stands on education. I think you'll agree. I know I do.
Athens Mama September 1, 2012 at 01:58 am
I know I my opinion on the GA charter schools and DC voucher program is not that of a typical liberal.
Racer X September 1, 2012 at 02:49 am
GD- There is definitely a hacker here. Your best bet is truly to not post any more comments until Patch figures it out.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) September 1, 2012 at 03:03 am
Georgia Democrat, I have asked our product support to look into this. I was at the Loganville/Monroe Football game so I've only got back an seen this now. Hopefully they can figure it out. I sent you a private email. We encourage serious discussion, not violation of our terms of use. I am shutting discussion down until we have it figured out.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) September 1, 2012 at 03:52 am
I have suspended the second Georgia Democrat and Laura Cope, both who signed on in the last 24 hours using hushmail accounts. If either of you feel that this is in error and you were not posting with the intent of distorting the posts of someone else, please email me at sharon.swanepoel@patch.com.
R September 1, 2012 at 05:41 am
@ Sharon
Thank you - it can't be said you don't take care of your posters...
Tammy Osier September 1, 2012 at 02:06 pm
John B- ditto. So, much for civil discussions. :)
Tammy Osier September 1, 2012 at 02:07 pm
R - ditto too. Sharon is the best!
Racer X September 1, 2012 at 05:05 pm
Sharon- Ditto from me, thanks.
Racer X September 1, 2012 at 05:12 pm
Just for the record- That's four thank-yous from conservatives and zero from liberals. Hmmmmmmm.............
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) September 1, 2012 at 05:25 pm
Please remember you do have the ability to flag something as inappropriate. Not just if someone posts a different opinion to you obviously, but if you see that someone has used offensive language or appears to be posting as you and is, in fact, not you. That way we get a heads up that something needs to be addressed. We can then see whether it is something that is universally offensive or just something a particular poster doesn't agree with and whether it is something that we indeed do need to delete and even suspend someone if necessary.
Jim Aspen September 1, 2012 at 06:29 pm
Obama is Americas Imaginary Friend, Clint was right. We are not better off.
Just plain fair September 1, 2012 at 08:17 pm
I'm better off and I bet Clint is to.
Athens Mama September 3, 2012 at 04:11 am
Thank you for your attention to the blog Sharon ~
Jim Aspen September 3, 2012 at 09:41 am
NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-
NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO- NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO- NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-
Brian Crawford September 4, 2012 at 02:34 am
The question isn't; "Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?" It's; "Are you better off than you were 12 years ago?" The answer is; "Hell no! But I'm gettin' there."
R September 4, 2012 at 02:43 am
So the question is just so painful that you have to punt a decade???
Oh yes we CAN!
PaulRevere September 4, 2012 at 05:53 am
George:
I was riding by and smelled something a little "fishy" here. This whole country would love to know. 1)What exactly did Obama do to suddenly perk up your business? 2) ACAct Excited "what it means to your employees" --Really? You certainly must have over 50 employees to be part of ACA Right? And if you do, you already have them insured Right? Or do you have under 50 employees with no medical insurance and are pleased that the rest of America will pay your medical coverages. Just asking?
PaulRevere September 4, 2012 at 05:55 am
TAMMY:
You are a very informed person. Keep it up.
PaulRevere September 4, 2012 at 05:57 am
Think of this!
I wonder how many foreclosures are from the Heavy Real Estate taxes forced on all homeowners. Paying for public schools that many of us don't even use anymore. Many of us who do not have children. Why are we paying for Public schools all of our lives? Look at the foreclosures!
PaulRevere September 4, 2012 at 06:08 am
Athens:
It's time for you tostop blaming the past. Focus on what Obama does, not what he says. When your pipes bust and water is gushing out, you certainly would not continue with the plumber who BLAMES the person who installed the plumbing. I inherited a big Plumbing Mess! But you would never accept that excuse. Obama also inherited the greatest Military!. No excuses there. Many believe the Military got OsamaBin. Who cares Right. He is inept and has no clue how to fix his problems. He has Zero experience on Financial problems facing this country. Romney is condemned but, gave America a great 2002 Olympic showing. See his Fix of that mess. That alone should qualify him to be given achance to fix this financial mess. Finally, many people created their own Home crisis. Many took out extra loans over the house purchase to buy things on credit. That was big reasons for forclosures. That is exactly what Obama has done. He has given many free things with Borrowed money. He is bankrupting all of our futures.
PaulRevere September 4, 2012 at 06:16 am
Athens
Why bring up other countries. America does not need any change. We need more "responsibility" We need young graduates who do not expect to have a job handed on a silver platter. No President could promise any Job. That is not the President's job. Education should also be a choice. But that is another Topic.
PaulRevere September 4, 2012 at 06:28 am
Georgia:
Do you know the difference in Billion vs Trillion? 2008 this USA owed $10Trillion debt. 2012 this USA owed $16Trillion debt. Obama has Borrowed everything he claims to do for the people. $6T to support his so-called I care Forward program. He has Zero money and zero policies. All $6trillion has been wasted on : 1) Paying $4000 for clunker car program 2) Paying College tuitions 3) Paying for 2 years of extended unemployment 4) Paying $8,000 for everyone that bought a home. 5) Putting millions of single un-wed adults on welfare as they offer their bodies as "Playgrounds" 6) Allowing billions in college loan writeoffs. 7) Borrowing $60b to keep GM/Chrysler afloat for about 6 years. (they will be gone and We all lose the $60bill This guy spends BORROWED money. You and all of us will have to pay the $70,000 each he has borrowed. Obama will bankrupt this country and take 100% of every 1%'er wealth to boot. That means no employers to give a non-teacher job.
Karsten Torch September 14, 2012 at 09:22 pm
I have no idea what you people are talking about here. I made the invite to befriend me on facebook so that I could invite to some political blogs I regularly visit. Do. Don't. Don't really care. But there's a lot of liberals out there, a lot that I've been talking to for many years. It's a good, even mix.
Somebody else posted the paraplegic twister, and I stole it. Is there a point made by putting it out here? And what are you guys talking about with "prank"? Or violation? How could it be either. Again, I'm not afraid to put out here who I am, like some others. And then we talk about trolls and hackers? Are you kidding me? Holy crap, get over yourselves. And feel free to grow a pair and put your real name out here. Or don't. But don't feel like I need to read your crap if you're too scared to step up....
Karsten Torch September 14, 2012 at 09:23 pm
Oooh, like that one...Get em, Mike....
Karsten Torch September 14, 2012 at 09:24 pm
How is stealing money from one group of people good for your conscience?
PaulRevere September 15, 2012 at 04:04 pm
Better Off?
It"s 4 years FROM NOW! That is the question. The current Obama policies will: 1) Create $5 per Gal Gasoline. 2) 9% Unemployment. (Go ahead Google "Projected unemployment") 3) GM filing another Bankruptcy. 4) Another USA credit downgrade. (that will cause rise in Interest rates) 5) Credit downgrade will make Home prices decline again--All homes will have lower values in 4 years. 6) Your employer will be paying way more for your Health insurance (Your job is in jeopardy) (employers will need to choose the best employees) 7) Prices of everything you buy will go up. (That's Inflation) 8) Anyone earning more than $75,000 per year will be paying higher taxes because once Obama gets re-elected, HE WILL SAY THAT HE NEEDS MORE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT TAX INCREASES> So People who voted for Obama in 2008 and do not see he is begging to forgive him for not getting us on track , will be falling for all the above traps. He is NOT running on a job well done. He is running as a PARTY CANDIDATE. Obama is campaigning all over again, as if he never had a chance to prove what he has done. Pity those of you who vote "democratic" just because of the party, while risking your future for the last time. America is literally burning in the middle east. That , people is something to ponder. IT's NOT THE---"BRITISH ARE COMING" this time around. Go figure who is coming?!!!! IN 4 YEARS
Just plain fair September 15, 2012 at 04:27 pm
You have a good break down here but what will happen in the next 4 years if Rommey take office.

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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 18, 2013 at 09:49 pm
Rabies tag on dog leads to a disconnected owners number
David Binder June 18, 2013 at 06:03 pm
And it's not posting my comment how I typed it. It's jumbled on the "Boards" banner.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Yea, sorry David. We are still dealing with some "issues." It rejected Jason's blog, andRead More none of us, not even our top regional editor, is being given authority to release it. Poor Jason, I know he so hates being rejected! And we hate it happening to him. The people not being "bugged" by technical issues, however, are reporting that it is super easy to use.
Tammy Osier June 18, 2013 at 01:08 am
Sadly, Mr. Newman, we have people who live in a utopic vision of the world and refuse to believeRead More that this can happen. Sounds a bit like 1984. Ironic too, is that in the bible, when the Lord was referring to people being blinded and going astray, he referred to them as sheep, and that phrase has been coined today to denote the same type of mentality. This could happen if our watchmen stop guarding the gate.
Karsten Torch June 18, 2013 at 12:39 pm
What's sad is that people will accuse you of needing a tinfoil hat because of this post. But weRead More are marching inexorably toward this end, the only thing we can really control is how quickly or slowly we get there.....
TheSkalawag June 18, 2013 at 08:29 pm
I don't think that Ray needs a tinfoil hat but I just don't see the inexorable march to theRead More dystopian world Ray is foretelling either. I do understand the gloom and doom outlook and I attribute that to the unrealistic quest for the Norman Rockwell version of life in America. That kind of life was made for tv. Life never really was like that. At least not that I remember anyway. And I would wager not for the majority of Americans.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Tom, I will see if I can find the connection.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Good news! Her name is Izzi and she has been reunited with her owners.
Tom Laverick June 18, 2013 at 09:42 pm
Great News!!!!
tijensen June 15, 2013 at 12:34 pm
The better assignment would have been how could you have written a letter to try and convince themRead More not to commit suicide. To persuade them about all the wonderful things you love about them, how special they are and what the world would miss if they were not in it. A creative teacher could have used the same exercise to teach a life lesson that may have helped someone save a life down the road.
Tammy Osier June 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm
TJ, exactly. Like you said, a GOOD teacher would have found a way to make students think outside theRead More box yet still examine the mood of the story. But I do agree with ggy that it might have been more appropriate for a college aged student. High school (girls especially) have so much drama going on inside of them, and confusion about so many things, that it might be impossible for them to be objective in an assignment like that. Boo to the teacher.
flyinby June 15, 2013 at 08:34 pm
strikes me as more subversive attempts by perverted minds dedicated to influence all our childrenRead More with this sick mindset: http://larouchepac.com/node/11188 http://www.naturalnews.com/040744_euthanasia_children_mercy_killings.html http://www.lifenews.com/2013/06/06/sarah-palin-blasts-sebelius-for-denying-girls-lifesaving-lung-transplant/ http://cnsnews.com/blog/judie-brown/lives-unworthy-be-lived-and-polst http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/the-elite-are-attempting-to-convince-us-that-killing-off-our-sick-grandparents-is-cool-and-trendy suicides higher than car crashes past few yrs http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2207089/56-million-suicide-prevention-programme-launched-study-reveals-Americans-lives-die-car-crashes.html http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/08/more-states-consider-legalizing-assisted-suicide-as-baby-boomers-age/
Octo Slash June 14, 2013 at 12:18 pm
My kids drink coffee every morning because they need something to accompany their cigarettes.
Tammy Osier June 14, 2013 at 01:12 pm
Tr - the perfect diet - the Mediterranean diet has a lot of fish in it. Olive oils etc... OurRead More American diet has a lot of animal fat in it and look at us as opposed to other nations! Fish oil is brain food. A multi is good, but we should ask our pediatricians about adding fish oil to our kids' diets. We should get our (good) fats through diet. Good fats help vitamins go where they are supposed to and do what they're supposed to do.
Deedee June 15, 2013 at 08:12 pm
My grandma always drunk coffee all day and I started around 30 and I am no good without at least oneRead More cup a day but she always stated that we couldn't have any as kids because it will stunt our growth. I have always felt that there is something to many of those old sayings and did not let my son touch it.
Tammy Osier June 17, 2013 at 01:53 pm
DR, seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? I'd like to hear from someone who is actually from there toRead More find out their spin on why they even enter a contestant in the first place. It's my understanding that a woman that shows that much skin in public will be flogged or worse? Maybe democracy is taking ahold in some places, who knows?
Good Grief Y'all June 17, 2013 at 03:24 pm
I was wrong. Guys are interested pageants. You would no doubt be happy if the contestants justRead More wore the face shawl with their bikinis.
Karsten Torch June 17, 2013 at 04:30 pm
Couple of thoughts - One, why hold it in a land where there is going to be this kind of protest?Read More Just move it and don't worry about it. Other, I find it interesting how the Muslims want us to be understanding and inclusive of their beliefs, but don't even think they'll allow anything they don't agree with. Just a tad bit hypocritical...
R June 14, 2013 at 02:06 am
You mean the FEES don't you? Cause they aint taxes don't you know...
Bonnie June 14, 2013 at 11:50 am
I call it a "rainbow!"
M.K. Osborne June 14, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Fees is when its lightning too .
Mr. B June 13, 2013 at 01:29 pm
They're not Americans. They don't deserve to step foot on American soil.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:34 pm
Meh, a difference without distinction.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:37 pm
Huh, you learn something once in a while on Patch blog threads. I didn't know you must be anRead More American citizen to be tried and convicted of crimes against America . . . ;p I think John and Sarah could handle them . . . you betcha! They would probably beg to be sent back to Gitmo. LOL
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 7, 2013 at 10:35 am
We don't know yet..it was not me who found her. They had Gwinnett pick her up after staying withherRead More for a few hours..we will know after they process her there. I have contacted golden retriever rescues to let them know so they can see if they have lost ads ..or if need be rescue her
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 8, 2013 at 02:24 am
She is so sad and missing her owner ANIMAL ID#32243 I am in PEN 114, FEMALE, GOLDEN RETRIEVER. TheRead More shelter thinks I am 3 YEARS OLD. I will be available for adoption starting 6/12/13. FOUND STRAY, LARGE, FRIENDLY Contact the shelter for more info 770-339-3200.
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 10, 2013 at 03:11 am
Reunited!