It's time to ask: Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?

I am comfortable but less than I was 4 years ago. I feel bad for those who are truly suffering.

I went from being a college student to a working professional, so I am making more money now than I did when I was in college living on babysitting money. But my family's financial situation has declined significantly...I grew up upper-middle class but my parents' income has declined and my mom worries about paying the bills. I'm just hoping my dad can turn his business around. They are kind of in that awkward income bracket where they make a little too much to qualify for most means-tested tax credits and financial aid for college, but not enough that paying for my brother to go to school is easy. My mom is really stressed out lately and it's frustrating to feel helpless about it.

One of the reasons I am fighting so hard for Obama is because my mom believes he's the only candidate who really offers any hope of meaningful change. She'll vote for Clinton if she is the nominee but she said she doesn't think there would be that much difference between Clinton and McCain except for Supreme Court judges. I'm a little more optimistic than that, and I do think there is a big difference between Clinton and McCain on a lot of the issues, especially domestically. My mom thinks this country is on the decline and our image abroad is a big part of that, and just the symbolic nature of his election would send such a powerful message to the world. In terms of policy change, he could turn out to be ineffective and let us down, but I'd rather have a president who tries to change the system than one who resigns herself to the fact that it can't be done.

Four years ago I was 14 and I did not have a job. I did not know what to do in my life. I had a bedtime and was trying to understand my sexuality. I have a job, working to become a librarian, can stay up late, and came out last year. so I am fine.

that is because I am older and my husband has a comfortable oil company pension (he was blue collar so don't get huffy) starting (of which I will get 100 percent until I die, too), I almost own my home which even though has declined in value lately had almost tripled in value while I was paying the mortgage. Both my cars are paid off and I am already receiving Social Security and have Medicare. I have life insurance and my kids are through college and fortunately one of my children has paid for their kids' college through the Florida pre-paid college program (the one is five but his college is paid for and the 4 year old's will be paid in a year). The other grandchild has very wealthy Conservative grandparents who play the stock market for him daily paying for his. Both of my kids have good jobs in education and healthcare. In August, all of my credit card debt will be gone, gone, gone.....

But, I also see my friends, neighbors, and extended family suffering. I have gone without in my very younger years in the 1970's and have fallen through those cracks plenty of times myself and know their pain.

But, the bottom line is that I do not trust my government anymore to continue my SS nor my Medicare. So, no, I don't feel better off than before....

makes us worse off then four years ago......