It’s a seemingly simple question being asked across the land by Democrats and Republicans alike: Are you better off than you were four years ago?
The answer is likely to have a big impact when people go to the polls in November for national and local elections.
It was a question that Ronald Reagan first asked to great effect in his debate with Jimmy Carter in 1980. (Check out the second clip in the accompanying YouTube video.)
Then, as now, the economy was struggling and a Democrat was seeking re-election.
We want to know what Peninsula Patch users think. Are you better off than you were four years ago? What has changed to make your answer true for you? Let us know in the comments section.
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1. Unemployed Americans: 4 years ago(12.05 mil.) Today(12.54 mil.) Change(up 495,000) 2. Unemployment Rate: 4 years ago(7.8%) Today(8.1%) Change(up 3.8%) 3. Long-term Unemployed: 4 years ago(2.7 mil.) Today(5 mil.) Change(up 87%) 4. Middle Class Income: 4 years ago($54,962) Today($51,002) Change(down $3,960) 5. Gas Prices: 4 years ago($1.85) Today($3.86) Change(up 107%) 6. Home Values: 4 years ago($169,700) Today($151,600) Change(down 11%) 7. Worker Health Insurance Costs: 4 years ago($3,354) Today($4,129) Change(up 23%) 8. College Tuition: 4 years ago($6,591) Today($8,244) Change(up 25%) 9. Americans in Poverty: 4 years ago(39.8 mil.) Today(46.2 mil.) Change(up 6.4 mil.) 10. Food Stamp Recipients: 4 years ago(32 mil.) Today(47 mil.) Change(up 46%) 11. Consumer Price Index: 4 years ago(211.1) Today(230.4) Change(up 9.1%) 12. Federal Debt: 4 years ago($10.6 trillion) Today($16 trillion) Change(up 51%) 13. Debt per Person: 4 years ago($34,731) Today($51,037) Change(up $16,306) 14. U.S. Global Competiveness: 4 years ago(1st) Today(7th) Change(down 6 places) Hope and Change. You’ve gotta love it!
1. Unemployed Americans: 4 years ago(12.05 mil.) Today(12.54 mil.) Change(up 495,000) 2. Unemployment Rate: 4 years ago(7.8%) Today(8.1%) Change(up 3.8%) 3. Long-term Unemployed: 4 years ago(2.7 mil.) Today(5 mil.) Change(up 87%) 4. Middle Class Income: 4 years ago($54,962) Today($51,002) Change(down $3,960) 5. Gas Prices: 4 years ago($1.85) Today($3.86) Change(up 107%) 6. Home Values: 4 years ago($169,700) Today($151,600) Change(down 11%) 7. Worker Health Insurance Costs: 4 years ago($3,354) Today($4,129) Change(up 23%) 8. College Tuition: 4 years ago($6,591) Today($8,244) Change(up 25%) 9. Americans in Poverty: 4 years ago(39.8 mil.) Today(46.2 mil.) Change(up 6.4 mil.) 10. Food Stamp Recipients: 4 years ago(32 mil.) Today(47 mil.) Change(up 46%) 11. Consumer Price Index: 4 years ago(211.1) Today(230.4) Change(up 9.1%) 12. Federal Debt: 4 years ago($10.6 trillion) Today($16 trillion) Change(up 51%) 13. Debt per Person: 4 years ago($34,731) Today($51,037) Change(up $16,306) 14. U.S. Global Competitiveness: 4 years ago(1st) Today(7th) Change(down 6 places) Hope and Change. You’ve gotta love it!