Are you better off today than 4 years ago?

[PSU84]

Real median household income has fallen by $1,535 dollars since 2000.

Median Household Income in the United States, in constant 2003 dollars:

Median
Year Household Income

2000 $ 44,853
2001 $ 43,882
2002 $ 43,381
2003 $ 43,318

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Here's something to ponder: In the United States, 50% of all income goes to the top 20% of households, up from 44% 20 years ago.

The bottom 20% of households receive 3.5% of all income, down from 4.2% 20 years ago.

As of 2003, 36 million Americans - 12.5% of the population - are officially in poverty. The poverty threshold for a family of 4 is $18,800. If the official poverty thresholds were not so outdated, the number of people "officially" in poverty would be a lot higher because a lot more than 36 million people in this country are poor - the are just not "officially" poor.

The poverty threshold is based entirely on how much money it takes to purchase a minimally adequate diet, which is then multiplied by a factor (devised in the 1950s) that represents food as a percentage of household spending. In other words, even though the poverty level is adjusted upward each year for inflation, it is still based on the percentage of a household budget that was spent on food in the 1950s. I kid you not.

[olddem43]

1. Is the person you are working for better off today than 4 years ago?

Said on Leno or Letterman.

[childslibrarian]

2. Good question

I am, but I belong to a union and work for one of the best school districts in the state.
No child left behind has not left my employer better however.

[NMDemDist2]

3. gross income 2000 $98,750

gross income 2003 $43,600
gross income to date 2004 $16,400

what do you think?

[Lizzie Borden]

4. No...

I am physically disabled, can't work, and my health insurance costs me $25,000 a year.(no that wasn't a typo).

[LibraLabSoldier]

5. I am an Active Duty Soldier.

So that would be a NO.

[Cleita]

6. Nope!

Retiree here and nest egg is rapidly disappearing whereas during Clinton's presidency it grew, not rapidly, but steady growth that kept up with inflation. Ancedotal, true, but I'm sure when BushCo says this is the best economy ever, that it's true for them, the small cadre of billionaires who are robbing the rest of us of what little we own.

[davekriss]

7. Are you better off today than 4 years ago?

Mmmmmm...bwahahahahahahah!!!!!

Hell, no!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

8. Company hasn't given raises since 2001, but then, I guess I'm fortunate

(at least for now) to still be employed full-time (though my company doesn't seem to be doing so hot).

[mhr]

9. Unemployed 4 Years Now - No Prospects, No Hope - Definately NO!

eom

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

10. That sucks, mhr. :( I'm sorry to hear that.

Hope is on the way....

[walldude]

11. Ha! Not even close,

and not just financially either. I'm totally drained physically and emotionally. Since 9/11 I have been pretty active politically but have had to lay off for a few weeks. I find myself angry alot, snapping at my kids for things I would normally laugh off, snapping at my co-workers for things I would normally be happy to help with. My wife is disabled (muscular distrophy) and in addition to taking care of our 3 kids she helps with 2 other couples children. One couple are working 2 jobs each and the other are both out of work. I myself am putting in 60-70 hours a week to make ends meet. Barely. 4 more years of this and we'll all be screwed..

[B Calm]

12. Making 1/2 the wages I was making this time last year!

Not only that, I watched my 401K turn into a 201K over the past three years. The republican party have one platform to run on that they are keeping a secret and that's Cheap Wages for working stiffs!

[bearfan454]

13. Hell no !

Me and Mrs bearfan are way worse off. At least you could get a job under Clinton.

[stavka]

14. No - income has been flat, costs have risen....Net? BAD

but at least I have a job.

This comment does take into account that $17 a month change in my taxes I got under the "W" miracle.

FWI: I took my 2001 $300 tax bribe and bought a license plate that compels me to give to a state public University every year I renew it - and gave the extra $100 to local democratic races.

Oh, I forgot - my retirement 403b account hasn't really grown (net) in four years, despite contributions of a few hundred dollars a month. I pay in, pile stays the same, for four years....

but again, at least I have a retirement account.

[MercutioATC]

15. Actually, yeah I am. But I'm an anomoly (federal ATC employee)

We have great job security and get cost-of-living increases (plus a performance increase) each year.

I'd actually do better financially under Bush (until the entire country went to hell, that is).

Most people wouldn't, however. He's sold the "tax cuts" as compassionate conservatism without telling anybody all of the facts. We need to educate people that Bush's "tax cuts" were made by giving less money to state and local governments. Either they'll have to do without basic services (like fire protection and schools) or they'll have to make up the difference. There never WAS a "cut"...it was just a shifting of the burden.

[Fescue4u]

16. Yes, but I could be making even more

If Bush wasnt in office.

[Hotdiggitydog]

17. I am, too....

Financially, yes. (but no thanks to Bush).

But mentally....I'll never forgive Bush for the months of anxiety that started in February/March 2003 as he led us into a war we needn't be in. Its heartache every day that Bush is in instead of Al Gore.

[Jokinomx]

18. HELL NO!!!!!!!!!! As B Calm said... I also am making half the wage I did

last year... and I will be layed off again at the end of October. Does that answer your question....

:argh:

[Green Lantern]

19. About the same

in dollar amounts but working about 10% more in hours to stay there.

[rucky]

20. Spiritually yes.

new bride, new kid, new priorities.

also fighting poverty & depression.

so I guess It's all evened out.

[fortyfeetunder]

21. Rising prices negate any tax cut gains

My job is stable but inflation has just about eaten up any alleged tax cut. Despite this, I have upped my charitable donations to stay one step ahead of the tax man.

[Carson]

22. Yes

I was fortunate enough to find a better paying job and buy a house at 6%.

[PatriotGames]

23. Haven't gotten a raise in 4 years...

So, I guess no.