Are You Better Off?

from Hezekiah Allen Taylor

When Reagan campaigned for president in 1980, his campaign slogan became a rallying cry. He asked every American one simple question: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”

Granted, he was talking about the term of Democratic rival Jimmy Carter and not a fellow Republican like George W., but it’s still a valid question, is it not?

ARE YOU BETTER OFF TODAY THAN YOU WERE FOUR YEARS AGO?

Four years ago, I didn’t think that the Christian right had control of the Supreme Court.
Four years ago, I still thought “freedom of religion” applied to everyone: Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, pagans, Wiccans, Trekkies—whatever your spiritual choice may be.

Four years ago, we had a budget surplus and not a budget deficit. (We certainly didn’t have the record-shattering $400 billion plus deficit we have today.)

Four years ago, there were 1,000 living, breathing young people who had yet to die in Iraq.
Four years ago, my company paid for my health insurance.
Four years ago, my company matched 401K funds.
Four years ago, I was still getting steady raises based on performance.
Four years ago, the U.S. Patriot Act didn’t exist.
Four years ago, it didn’t take a personal bank loan to pay for a tank of gas.
Four years ago, I wouldn’t have been labeled “un-American” for questioning the government.
Four years ago, we could still do stem cell research.
Four years ago, we weren’t thinking about drilling in ANWR.
Four years ago, we didn’t have Enron’s CEO (now on trial) dictating our energy policy.
Four years ago, Dick Cheney’s connections to Haliburton were only mildly disturbing, not obviously prejudicial.
Four years ago, I had debt, too, and was paying it off twice as fast as I am now—-on the same salary.
Four years ago, I felt that America was a part of the world and not its adversary.
Four years ago, I believed that America cared about others and would not go into any conflict lightly, without serious provocation and solid, supportable proof.

Four years ago, the dollar went farther.
Four years ago, we didn’t live in a constant state of fear based on a color-coded, amorphous “terror alert.”
Four years ago, I didn’t feel ashamed to be an “ugly American.” I didn’t feel we deserved that label.

I know my answer to Reagan’s old campaign question. How about you?

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