So, eight years later, are you really better off?

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On more than one occasion, Al Gore has stated, ask yourself if you are better off today than you were eight years ago? So I did.

Eight years ago, I paid less taxes. Eight years ago, I wasn't intimidated to keep my thoughts to myself. Eight years ago, we had just won the cold war and the gulf war and America had no enemy capable of threatening our national security. Eight years ago, China, Pakistan, India and North Korea did not have nuclear arms. Eight Years ago, I thought it took two people to have sex. Eight Years ago, we didn't have metal detectors in our schools. Eight Years ago, I could still park in front of the airline terminal and did not have to show my picture ID Eight years ago, there were many banks, oil companies, phone companies, entertainment companies, there was competition. Eight years ago, I had respect for the President of this country. Eight years ago, there was less hatred and divisiveness. Eight years ago, the person who answered the phone at corporate America spoke English. Eight years ago, I had more property rights. Eight years ago, my country seemed to care about me. Eight years ago, I didn't feel special but I did feel equal. Eight years ago, when my President spoke to me I believed him. Eight years ago, I was less cynical. Eight years ago, I wasn't trying to explain oral sex to my children.

At this point I must stop and say, No Mr. Gore, I don't think I am better off. I think my country and I are all worse off thank you very much. I will be voting for Mr. Bush now that you asked.

-- curious (curious@vote.vom), November 02, 2000

Answers

Eight years ago, when my President spoke to me I believed him.

Read my lips -- NO NEW TAXES

-- Yeah, right (@ .), November 02, 2000.


8 years ago we were in a recession, compliments of Shrub senior.

-- (was laid off @ now i have. a job), November 02, 2000.

Eight years ago, I was barely scraping by. Now, my boyfriend and I make $150,000. Both of us have profited immensely from the economic boom ushered in during the Clinton years.

Yeah, we're much better off that we were eight years ago.

-- Alice in Wonder Bra (alice@wonder.bra), November 02, 2000.


Well, yes, matter of fact I'm a lot better off now than I was 8 years ago. I doubt the government had anything directly to do with this, and I doubt a Republican administration would have made much difference.

I think the country is somewhat better off as well, and perhaps the government IS partially responsible here, because they didn't pass any huge tax increases and didn't do anything stupid. Perhaps the executive and legislative branches being controlled by different parties helped us out here. It's generally much easier to do something than to *stop* doing something, and I think we should have a policy of shutting down two programs for every new one we start. We didn't shut anything down, but we didn't start much either.

Well, taking credit for what you didn't do, even for what you opposed at the time but that worked out well, is an old political tradition. So Clinton/Gore can take all the credit they want for what they didn't do, so long as we're all better off that nothing much was done.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), November 02, 2000.


Eight years ago, I lived in an apartment, and had no hope of ever owning a home. We closed three months ago on our second home, which has already appreciated in value. My husband and I are making more money than we have ever made, and have every hope of continuing this trend. The economy is booming to the extent that businesses in our hometown can't find enough workers.

Eight years ago, we may have paid less in taxes, but we now have quadrupled our family's income. Eight years ago, my husband was shot at by Iraqis so that George H. W. Bush could boost his poll numbers. Eight years ago, people were allowed their bigotries. After all, they're not really people if they don't believe the same way, are they? Eight years ago, the President of my country and his predecessor sold arms to our country's sworn enemy. Eight years ago, I knew that the President did not know the most basic information of the daily lives of many Americans -- the cost of a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. Eight years ago, anyone who didn't initially speak English upon entry to this country was doomed to either unemployment or the most menial of jobs. With ESL classes offered in most areas, people can learn English, and our country can utilize their skills.

Eight years ago, the same things were taking place in the White House. Of course, there was nothing said about "disrespecting the office of the Presidency," because George H. W. Bush seemed to get a hall pass from the "liberal" press. Of course, the press is only as liberal as those who own it.

I find it hard to believe that Bill Clinton's adventures with the opposite sex were a mystery to most children. I clearly remember discussions among my classmates on the playground in 1972 about sex. I also seem to remember that many of Mr. Clinton's predecessors, including the sainted George H. W. Bush, had "zipper problems".

Finally, you might not remember history very well, but I do: EVERYONE presenting themselves at an airport after the Gulf War had to show both picture ID and a valid airline ticket, or they were not permitted inside the terminal.

-- Just another feminist (democrats@whitehouse.com), November 02, 2000.



Eight years ago, I paid less taxes.

Were you also, by any chance, making less money then?

Eight years ago, I wasn't intimidated to keep my thoughts to myself.

If you're so intimidated, why weren't you intimidated when you wrote this?

Eight years ago, we had just won the cold war and the gulf war and America had no enemy capable of threatening our national security.

Actually, it was more of a false sense of security.

Eight years ago, China, Pakistan, India and North Korea did not have nuclear arms.

Oh man, you are so way off on this!

Eight Years ago, I thought it took two people to have sex.

And who's fault is it you were sheltered?

Eight Years ago, we didn't have metal detectors in our schools.

Are you kidding? Metal detectors started being put into schools during the Reagan era. Actually, rather early in the Reagan era.

Eight Years ago, I could still park in front of the airline terminal and did not have to show my picture ID.

What airline were you flying? And what airport were you going through?

Eight years ago, there were many banks, oil companies, phone companies, entertainment companies, there was competition.

Oh come on.

Eight years ago, I had respect for the President of this country.

Feh.

Eight years ago, there was less hatred and divisiveness.

PLEASE. Remember the Rodney King Riots? Who was President then?

Eight years ago, the person who answered the phone at corporate America spoke English.

Gotta love that veiled racism.

Eight years ago, I had more property rights.

Please enumerate the property rights you've lost.

Eight years ago, my country seemed to care about me.

Cry me a river.

Eight years ago, I didn't feel special but I did feel equal.

Your sense of happiness is not in the hands of the President.

Eight years ago, when my President spoke to me I believed him.

You must have cried yourself to sleep after that "no new taxes" thing.

Eight years ago, I was less cynical.

Your sense of happiness isn't dependant on the President. Geez, take a little personal responsibility!

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.nut), November 02, 2000.


My company is getting ready to lay off several workers because the lumber market is doing so poorly. I say thank you Al, I'm voting for Bush.

-- Batsy ol' Betsy (batsyolbetsy@lycos.com), November 02, 2000.

Eight years ago,

I didn't have to shield my 3B=-year-old nephew from the fact that our President, the supposed Moral Leader of the Free World, got his dick sucked in the Oval Office by a woman who wasn't his wife, while talking to a Senator on the phone about Important Government Business.

Thank you, Mr. Clinton, for heightening our moral stature. And Thank you, Mr. Gore, for supporting such an upright model as "one of the greatest Presidents in history", to quote you on Impeachment Day, Sir.

You both have been quite essential parts of "the most ethical Administration in history", to use your own words.

Lying, stinking, rats.

-- Chicken Little (y2k@whatajoke.net), November 03, 2000.


Come on Chicken, Tell us how you REALLY feel, dont hold back now.

Hee hee.....:-)

-- consumer (shh@aol.com), November 03, 2000.


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