Lets conduct a poll. Are you economically better off or worse off than 2001?

Question

Polls show Americans are concerned with the economy and feel america is worse off since the last recession which was three quarters in 2001. However when asked about their personal situation the percentages reverse.

I don't want to know who you are voting for just are you better off or worse off.

I am better off.

Answer 1

I am better off and the only people I know that are worse off, brought it upon themselves.

Answer 2

The same

Answer 3

A lot better off!

Answer 4

Better off definitely. Thanks W!

Answer 5

better off

There are lots of people that are worse because they bought $300,000 homes when they can't pay for them......

Answer 6

I make far more money than I did in 2001, but that is because of MY hard work, nothing that Bush & Co. did or did not do.

As for my money, it sure doesn't go as far as it did in 2001.

Answer 7

Worse, much.

Retired, inflation got me bad, but my home is all but paid for.

Problem is my taxes have gone up, and my oil bill is up, and my food is up, and my electric is up, and my cable is up.

My cable is my only entertainment, we can't get TV reception here without it. It includes my internet too.  Without that I'd have no amusement at all.  

No $300,000 home, thats just so insulting to so many people who work hard.

Answer 8

I am better off....and keep blowing my dough on Ebay and my 401...I`m doing well...Better.

Answer 9

worse - less disposable income

Answer 10

Well, of course I'm better off.  I was in college in 2001 and now I'm well into my career.  

Answer 11

better off

Answer 12

Better.

Answer 13

I am better off, and if you guys need money for college and stuff military pays for all of that.

Answer 14

I'm worse. I have no money to go to college. There isnt enough pell grants to go around. So I take out thousands in loans to pay for school....but in 2001 i was only 14

AND GAS...no one can say they are better off there

Answer 15

Much better.

Answer 16

better. Unless you bought a home in the last year, most are better off.

Answer 17

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better off.

Answer 18

Better, but I emigrated before the dollar plummeted :)

Answer 19

much worse and I did not buy a home I could not afford.  

Answer 20

Exponentially better off.

Answer 21

Better off.

Answer 22

Worse.  I can pay my mortgage, but due to the mortgage crisis I am now upside down.  I owe more than it is worth.  Totally sucks, I can't move to a better job cause I can't sell my house.

Answer 23

Better off but, it's in spite of the efforts of the government for the past 7 years--especially considering the 8 years before that.

Answer 24

worse, thanks to inflation

however, I am doing fine because I have a decent income.  But I am not a Republican so I don't think of only how it affects me.  Most Americans make less then I do and I care how it affects those people too.

you really need to put some qualifiers on this type of question.  Many of the people that say they are better off were students in 2001 or at entry level positions in 2001.

try and ask this question of people with families, people who have been in the work force for ten years, people who have kids in college.........  you will get a very different result.  few of these people are better off.

Answer 25

If you are anywhere near average, yes.  Personal, disposable, inflation-adjusted income grew 9% in the first six years under Bush.  Since Bush has been President, the unemployment rate has remained under 6.3% and averaged 5.2%  (In Clinton's eight years it remained under 7.3% and also averaged 5.2%.)

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/t...

http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost?l...

Answer 26

Worse.  We own our own business, but the cost of doing business, paying for health insurance, and inflation have continued to eat into our profits.  With the downturn in our economy, it is difficult to pass cost increases to our customers.

For my friends working in corporate America, their have been layoffs, and raises have been non-existent or lower than the cost of living.

And with the current deficit, someday we will all have to pay up for the waste during the Bush administration...and that will mean more money out of our pockets.

Answer 27

Wow, most people on this pole seem to be better off. They must not be the people that the media is constantly interviewing. I too am better off, but not because of any outside influences. The panic created by the media and enhanced by certain political candidates has given me greater opportunity to invest in blue chip stocks and real estate at lower prices. I realize it is a risk, but just like in the 1980's, the upside potential is greater than the downside risk. As we as a national or global economy begin to recover, I believe I will be even better off. It all comes down to personal responsibility and ambition.  

Answer 28

I'm worse off. Health care costs have gone out of the roof as have groceries, clothing, sundries and on and on. The cost of living has gone sky rocketed, yet pay raises are minimal. By the time health care, 401k, disability ins. and taxes come out of the check there's not much left. I don't have cable. I don't have a cell phone plan. I buy most everything off ebay or from Walmart. I also sell on ebay for extra cash. We aren't starving. We manage ok, but I sure would like to go to a movie now and then or have money for the charities I used to give to.