NationStates Jolt Archive

I am wondering how many people have been living paycheck-to-paycheck (or worse) for the last 8 years, and how many have lost jobs in the last 6 months? Were you better off economically during the Democrat/Clinton era or are you better off now?

I'm from Michigan, which should answer most of your questions.

I'm actually better off now....

Its wierd.

I don't get a paycheck. My entire paycheck goes to paying taxes on my tips. I am currently being subsidized by my parents.

Yay underemployment!

I'm not sure that's a valid way of judging policies. 8 years is a very long time, and the things that you do as a person or that happen to you irrespective of politics distort the picture way too much.

I was 12 years old in 2000, so I'd say my financial position is not comparable.

Well, I DO live paycheck to paycheck, somewhat, but I was indeed worse off during the Clinton Administration. Being a college student working through college in a min wage job versus being a graduate fully employed in another country does that. ;)

I am wondering how many people have been living paycheck-to-paycheck (or worse) for the last 8 years, and how many have lost jobs in the last 6 months? Were you better off economically during the Democrat/Clinton era or are you better off now?

I'm a grad student. I'm *sort of* paycheck to paycheck, in that I must set aside a certain amount to cover my half of the tuition (I've got a 60% fellowship). If I weren't, then I'd be frickin' loaded.

During the Clinton era I was in school, then college and made no cash, so yes, I'm better off now incomewise. I know full well, however, that I'm an exception. For every person like me, there's someone like Illusion, a friend of mine who signed up in the army (despite my warnings not to), only for Iraq to be invaded a month later. IIRC he's been sent there five times so far... no, he hasn't been wounded (to my knowledge), but...

I've never in my life lived paycheck to paycheck. In the past 8 years, I've paid off my house, 3 cars, and my ex-wife. I have no debt. My job is relatively secure. Life is good.

The last 8 years have actually been pretty damn good to me, for reasons having nothing to do with any political party. I'm far better off now (well, up until about 2 months ago) than I was 8 years ago. And I'm still voting for Obama.

I saw my earnings quadrupole these last 8 years given I invested in Haliburton as bush got elected.

I'm 19 years old, work part-time and Canadian.

I was 12 years old in 2000... and I was leeching off my parents. They were much more well off during the Clinton years - their collective income has dropped 60%, while everything else goes up up up. Lovely.

But, I did get a job a year later at about $10,000 a year, and I'm now making $84,000. And my life has improved greatly.