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Question For Midterm Voters: Are You Better Off Than You Were Two Years Ago?
IBD ^ | 11/02/2018

Posted on 11/02/2018 8:17:44 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

President Reagan won a landslide election in 1980 when he asked voters a simple question: "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" Voters knew they weren't. Midterm voters should be asking themselves that same question now, before casting their ballots next Tuesday. Only this time, the answer is yes.

The latest evidence: The Labor Department reported this week that private sector wages and salaries rose 3.1% in the third quarter of this year, compared with last year. Total compensation, which includes things like health benefits, climbed 2.9%. Both growth rates are significantly faster than two years ago.

This was just the latest spate of good economic news. But there is plenty more. In fact, by almost any measure, the country is much better off than it was in November 2016.

Here's a rundown:

GDP Growth

In the first three quarters of 2016, quarterly GDP growth was an anemic 1.5%, 2.3% and 1.9%. This year, quarterly GDP growth has been a far more robust 2.2%, 4.2% and 3.5%.

Jobs and Unemployment

There are 4.3 million more private sector jobs than there were two years ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are 1.8 million fewer unemployed. The unemployment rate is now 3.7%, down from 4.9% — where it had been stuck throughout 2016.

Among blacks, the unemployment rate dropped from 8.3% to 6%, and among Hispanics it's now 4.5%. It was 5.7% two years ago.

The average time people are unemployed is now 24 weeks, down from 27 weeks just before the 2016 elections.

Household Incomes

Take-home pay for most people is higher today than it was two years ago, for the simple reason that Republicans cut income taxes. Those savings started showing up when the new withholding schedules went into effect in February.

(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: economy; midterms

1 posted on 11/02/2018 8:17:44 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

VASTLY better off then I was 2 years ago.


2 posted on 11/02/2018 8:19:59 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (They would have to abandon leftism to achieve sanity. Freeper Olog-hai)
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To: SeekAndFind

No contest.


3 posted on 11/02/2018 8:22:06 AM PDT by Leep
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To: SeekAndFind

WAY


4 posted on 11/02/2018 8:24:07 AM PDT by TangledUpInBlue
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To: SeekAndFind

Not if you add back in my share of the exploding national debt.


5 posted on 11/02/2018 8:24:12 AM PDT by babble-on
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To: SeekAndFind

here’s a suggestion for DJT to ask in the remaining days:

“What do you have to Lose”?

and then list the items he has Trumped or Completed-

it would make a great meme, too..


6 posted on 11/02/2018 8:24:47 AM PDT by bitt (We want judges that protects us from them. They, the ruling elites, want judges that PROTECT THEM!)
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To: SeekAndFind

My paychecks got bigger; not by a whole lot, but definitely enough to notice.

MAGA


7 posted on 11/02/2018 8:37:35 AM PDT by SirLurkedalot (10/10/51-7/7/16 RIP Dad, I'll be missing you until I cross over to Eternity)
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To: SeekAndFind
A better question is to ask this of potential non-voters.

The voters already plan to vote.

8 posted on 11/02/2018 8:50:24 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: MNJohnnie

My wife and I are, too.


9 posted on 11/02/2018 8:50:57 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: babble-on

Amazing how the DNC bots around here only scream in hysteria about the Debt when the GOP hold Congress and the White House.


10 posted on 11/02/2018 9:00:40 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (They would have to abandon leftism to achieve sanity. Freeper Olog-hai)
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To: SeekAndFind

OMG I am better off in so many ways! I can’t fathom why anyone would want to vote for a Blue Wave and destroy all the progress we have made!


11 posted on 11/02/2018 9:02:42 AM PDT by 48th SPS Crusader (I am an American. Not a Republican or a Democrat)
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To: MNJohnnie

That’s not me. I scream in hysteria about the debt pretty much non-stop regardless, because neither political party gives one damn about it.


12 posted on 11/02/2018 9:11:43 AM PDT by babble-on
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To: MNJohnnie

There are election signs in my area that say “Had enough yet? Vote Democrat”. Had enough of what? Higher wages, less unemployment?


13 posted on 11/02/2018 9:23:43 AM PDT by eieio1
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To: SeekAndFind
I certainly am.

I am spending LESS on taxes AND, I was able to tell our UNION THUGS where to get off!

THAT right there was just like a raise!

14 posted on 11/02/2018 9:32:36 AM PDT by SMARTY (Hatred is a feeling which leads to the extinction of values. Ortega y Gasset)
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To: SeekAndFind

Only a brain damaged idiot could read this and then go vote Democrat.


15 posted on 11/02/2018 10:07:56 AM PDT by upchuck (Definition of a Republican registered to vote but doesn't on Nov 6: A DEMOCRAT!)
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