I have never bothered with politics on here, and I doubt I'll do or say much more than this little reflection, but this election is too critical. I can't help myself. Over the years politicians and pundits like to point back to Ronald Regan's persuasive question, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" So today I ask myself, am I better off than I was eight years ago? Well, that probably depends on how you look at it. I'm older and wiser and on the whole happy, but none of those qualities keep me fed, healthy or free. So here it is:
1. Eight years ago I taught in the lowest-paid inner city school in the county where I lived and I made twice as much annual salary as I do today.
2. I owned my own home and drove a new car; today I rent my home and drive a 10 yr. old used car.
3. My employer paid the majority of my health insurance premium and when I paid a copay the insurance paid the rest; today I pay 50% of the premium for health insurance that seldom pays for any of the services at my doctor and I have thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills.
4. I was spending more on groceries than gasoline; now I spend more on gas than food.
5. Eight years ago I was living my American dream; now it seems life is more about survival and certainly less about living any sort of dream.
I never could have dreamed that my life could become what it now is. I never would have thought I would actually consider that I might be better off to marry a Canadian so I could be insured. (I actually checked out http://www.hookacanuck.com/ after watching Sicko.) Or that I would have ever had to apply for food stamps. I never thought I'd see my brother sent off to war (thank God he was sent home safely.) Or that I would live on unemployment. Or that I would be homeless. Yet, in the last 8 years I lived all of those things and more. Am I better off? In the ways that I expect governmental impact ABSOLUTELY NOT.
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2 comments:
My house is devalued to the point where it's worth less now than when we paid for it.
My living expenses are in NO way equitable to my income.
There is no stretching a dollar for every day expenses.
I'm worried that we're 2 paychecks away from collapse of our household.
Anyone who would vote for the status quo because someone is a veteran, former POW or a hockey mom deserves more of the same.
I have to de-lurk and say I completely agree with you. Although I am one of the lucky enough to have a job, I also make half as much as I used to. I no longer have company paid internet, cell-phone, PDA and a small expense account.
As far as health care goes, I am lucky on that front as well, but it doesn't nearly compare to my old plan, where I hardly paid anything out of pocket, now I find myself struggling to pay for a much needed ultrasound that I must have this week.
So, overall, I wouldn't say I am better off than I was ten years ago.
Like you, I have grown up, I am more experienced, but better off?
Absolutely not.
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