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 ...
VASTLY better off then I was 2 years ago.
No contest.
WAY
Not if you add back in my share of the exploding national debt.
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..
My paychecks got bigger; not by a whole lot, but definitely enough to notice.
MAGA
The voters already plan to vote.
My wife and I are, too.
Amazing how the DNC bots around here only scream in hysteria about the Debt when the GOP hold Congress and the White House.
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!
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.
There are election signs in my area that say “Had enough yet? Vote Democrat”. Had enough of what? Higher wages, less unemployment?
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!
Only a brain damaged idiot could read this and then go vote Democrat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.