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State of America: Are You Better Off?

Politicians on both sides of the aisle are asking constituents whether they are better off now than they were four years ago. We want to know what the Tampa Bay area thinks.

It’s a simple question being asked all over America by Democrats and Republicans alike: Are you better off than you were four years ago?

Although seemingly simple, the answer to the question is likely to have a big impact when people go to the polls in November. After all, the answer to the question is deeply personal and is likely to prove rather motivating for voters.

To justify their stances on various issues, politicians on both sides of the aisle have stated their own answers to this question. Democrats say it’s getting better or is better. Republicans point to elevated unemployment numbers, high foreclosure rates and record numbers of people on food stamps and other forms of government assistance when answering this question with a no.

We want to know what you think Tampa Bay. 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.

Freedom September 19, 2012 at 09:12 pm
Here's a list of corporations who are manufacturing in China & other parts of the world, which is ruining our nation :
http://www.jiesworld.com/international_corporations_in_china.htm http://economyincrisis.org/content/american-manufacturing-can-no-longer-compete http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2011/09/13/u-s-manufacturing-moving-overseas-%E2%80%93-the-new-wave.html http://inchincloser.com/2010/12/10/some-companies-prefer-to-manufacture-in-india-vs-china/
Freedom September 19, 2012 at 09:20 pm
By the way this issue is beyond Politics, we all have been so busy with my candidate is better than yours argument which is getting old, it is not getting any of us anywhere, we are never going to agree with each other, therefore we need to ask each candidate what they are going to do to these corps who are sending jobs overseas!
Yes I blame these corporations, this is shameful!
Freedom September 19, 2012 at 09:24 pm
That link is about Billionaires, I am talking about Millionaires!
Freedom September 19, 2012 at 09:40 pm
If you scroll down that first link jiesworld shows so many corporations making money due to giving away jobs to China while we are over here twiddling our thumps, wondering when the nightmarish economy is going to get better...
Freedom September 19, 2012 at 09:54 pm
I meant to say twiddling our thumbs not thumps...
Watts September 19, 2012 at 10:04 pm
I think that it is really settling in exactly where this nation was exactly 4 years ago and that this line has actually backfired on Republicans. Check out the newest Pew Research poll:
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/polls/250453-pew-obama-opens-up-big-lead-nationally Obama has now opened up an 8 point lead over Romney amongst likely voters and this poll is even before the news of Romney's 47% insults could be taken into account.
Freedom September 19, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Who cares what a poll says, real truth will come out on election day!
-Ed Harris- September 19, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Mitt Romneys campaign is so dead the Mormon church just baptized it! See ya in November!
Freedom September 19, 2012 at 10:30 pm
That's right Ed see you in November, by the way that statement you posted is rantings of reddit dot com & thestranger dot com which are biased views that has no importance, this only proves they must really be worried to make biased comments like that...
Watts September 19, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Are you one of those paranoid freaks who thinks that when polls are not in your ideological favor, that there is some cover-up of the truth? Because that is exactly how your post reads.
Freedom September 19, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Hey Watts, thanks for the humor :)
Allie's Grandpa September 19, 2012 at 11:50 pm
As a Republican, but not a Tea Party fanatic, I must admit that it now looks likely that there will be a Democratic Party celebration on Nov 7th, and a Republican Party wake on Nov 7h, very much like when boom-boom Barry lost in 1964.
If Romney had been honest to his core moderate instincts, he wouldn't be in this cow pie mess that he has created by pandering to the lunatic fringe.
Michael D. September 20, 2012 at 02:14 pm
Both candidates work for the same corporations, you need to blame the parties and the society that let there only be two parties. No one is to blame but ourselves. We used to have a system that had more than two parties and two voices, what happened to that country?
Michael D. September 20, 2012 at 02:19 pm
GBOWR,
I have not problem with companies sending jobs to China. We are slowly becoming a service economy. So it is either change to our new national economy or don't. I also think that both parties have failed our society, but trying to force a manufacturing and making poor scientific policies based on Politics instead of actually helping our Nation evolve. I understand you were talking Millionares, but we are all part of the growth of the 20% from 2011 to 2012. So we are all a little more profitable than we were in 2011. But the question are we more profitable then we were in 2009. If you don't have an education then yes, more low level/manufacturing jobs have been created. If you are are part of the educated workforce no. Average compensation per employee has also gone down according the the Bureau of Labor.
Freedom September 26, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Here is the Letter a 95 Year Old Pearl Harbor Survivor wrote to President Obama
Dear President Obama, My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don’t believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos’n Mate. Now I live in a “rest home” located on the western end of Pearl Harbor , allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country. One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man. So here goes. I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish. I can’t figure out what country you are the president of. You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like: ” We’re no longer a Christian nation” ” America is arrogant” – (Your wife even announced to the world,” America is mean- spirited. ” Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.) Continued Next Post...
Freedom September 26, 2012 at 10:52 pm
After 9/11 you said,” America hasn’t lived up to her ideals.”
Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn’t mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom. I don’t think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected. Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man. Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don’t, I’ll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue . You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves. Continued Next Post...
Freedom September 26, 2012 at 10:53 pm
And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don’t want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts , who was putting up a fight? You don’t mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don’t want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.
One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you’re the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you’re not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you’re thinking of. You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president. You’re not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That’s not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now. And I sure as hell don’t want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle… Sincerely, Harold B. Estes
Keith Best September 27, 2012 at 11:13 am
A weak economy and chronic unemployment over 8% is the disease and whether you like them or not, Romney/ Ryan are the cure.
NOBAMA2012!
DLC September 27, 2012 at 11:28 am
I have to agree with you Keith.
Please if you care for our country make sure you vote. Vote for Romney and Ryan to help our country get back on its feet. America needs them.
Harborite September 27, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Florida has had only Republican governors for the last 14 years. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have been under Republican control since 1996. Somehow Republicans now point fingers and blame Florida's poor economy on Pres. Obama when it was their own short sighted policies that caused our economic problems. Unfortunately, the once noble GOP has been captured by religious zealots, extremist tea partiers, and Grover Norquist whose tax pledges ensure that the richest in our society will never pay a dollar more in taxes. The Party of Lincoln has now become the party of Rush Limbaugh, Todd Akin, Gov. Rick Scott, Michelle Bachman, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum. God help this country if the current GOP takes over the federal government in Washington.
Sahara September 27, 2012 at 01:08 pm
Joe...Your voice of reason falls on gullible panic stricken ears stirred by those who want not only their fair share but yours also. Try reasoning with a child who is ruled by his emotions and limited experience or those so taken with themselves that they "know" everything and you have your challenge. Most of us realize the failings on all concerned in both parties. Those that don't will never be convinced, because it is impossible for them to objectively analyze the successes and failures of all our politicians.
Tony T September 27, 2012 at 01:45 pm
Yes I am better off but not because of obama!!! I have worked since I was 14 when I could get working papers. Most of my life I had two jobs (usually one p/t) I paid my way thu college by work study and studnet loans (all paid off). Married and we paid for our own wedding. Served my cournty in the US Navy. Took a job with a pension and health benefits (looking out for the future) put two children thru college and advanced degrees with student & peroonal loans all paid back. Purchased a home I could afford and paid the mortgage off. I have given to charity and my church......paid my local, federal, SSI, income tax etc..........all along being able to put a few buck away. I feel I am doing pretty good and am better off than others becasue I am not dependent on obama and his welfare entitlement state. This is the story of most middle class Americans and although I cannot speak for all of them but I think "we have paid our fair share" and are tired of supporting fakes, phonies and frauds and illegal immigrants that now riddle our welfare system and take funds from those who are trully in need,
JS September 27, 2012 at 02:22 pm
The Democratic Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rC2T81nsqKA
Harborite September 27, 2012 at 03:34 pm
Last year, Citizens for Tax Justice found that 30 major corporations had made billions of dollars in profits while paying no federal income tax between 2008 and 2010. These major corporations include General Electric, Boeing, Verizon, and Mattel. The greatest beneficiares of Pres. Obama's "welfare entitlement state" are actually our large corporations and not the "fakes, phonies, frauds and illegal immigrants" that you mention. It is corporate welfare and entitlement that is costing us taxpayers the most. If you really want to prevent welfare, entitlement, and dependency in our country, you need to focus on Corporate welfare. We need to stop the endless list of IRS corporate tax deductions purchased by corporate lobbyists, the taxpayer bailout money for corporations including those on Wall Street, the taxpayer subsidies of Big Oil and defense contractors, and our multi-billion dollar farm subsidies to the Agribusiness industry.
Sahara September 27, 2012 at 03:49 pm
Yes, Tony, there are cheats in the welfare system but there are cheats in the Banking system and the stock market etc. And as you have recently seen, they can cause more damage than anyone. Do not go overboard and be overly concerned as those who have other agendas would like you to believe. Corruption is everywhere but you don't want to cut off your nose to spite your face such as cutting out welfare for those that take drugs, as we see in Florida, Rick's plan has cost more money than it saved after being conned into believing this was the most important problem with welfare in Florida. Priorities and good judgment work better than slaying everything with a broad sword. Use your common sense, not emotions based on other prejudices.
Sahara September 27, 2012 at 05:49 pm
No Keith, Their philosophy was the cause of the weak economy and unemployment. You have a short memory if you want to return to people that brought you the greatest recession since the great depression. If you don't learn from history you are doomed to repeat it. Take a look at the facts. Democratic presidents over the last 60 years have brought higher employment and better economies than Republicans. Seems it shouldn't be that way, if Republicans are for Business, but the paradox is , that is what happens time and again. Most recent example: Bill Clinton and a surplus budget. Facts, not wishful thinking, for the way you would like it to be. Reason Not emotion!
Sahara September 27, 2012 at 05:54 pm
JW: Brainwashing balderdash! I've seen the same crap dissing the Republicans. What we need now are rational people to view facts as facts and cut out the people in both parties that are ruled by their emotions instead of their brains and begin solving problems not standing in the way of those that try. Get out of the way!
Steve October 2, 2012 at 04:15 am
Anyone who says they are better off today than 4 years ago, is sadly ignorant as to what is happing to them. Our country has become a sad crowd of uninformed people following after empty promises with little or no regard to the truth. We are like sheep being sent to the slaughter, all the while thinking what a nice free ride we are going on. It so sad to watch - but little can be done to stop it.
Steve October 2, 2012 at 04:21 am
The reverend Wright was right when he said "Americas chickens have come home to roost"... in the form of one Barack Hussien Obama! Becoming a nation of fools comes with a very high price!
Sahara October 2, 2012 at 02:39 pm
"The sky is falling" theory somehow doesn't go with "This is the Greatest Country in the World." espousal. Now let's get down to the real truth and not opinion or propaganda and vote out all those who are so married to their beliefs it obscures any true production. Sharing the load has always worked in this country and we are not about leaving half the country behind because they aren't the same as you or won't believe as you do.

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Rep. Mike Fasano - 2013 Outstanding Public Servant
rocky waters June 19, 2013 at 10:01 pm
outstanding public servant...we are doomed in Pasco. he turns a deaf ear, when asked for help.....
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WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ONE WHO CAN HELP LOCATE AND CATCH THIS THIEF!!!! THANK YOU