AMAC Exclusive – By Claire Brighn
In the final weeks of the legendary 1980 campaign that made Ronald Reagan president, Reagan stood before the nation at his sole presidential debate with failing incumbent Jimmy Carter and urged voters to ask themselves a simple question, one that instantly became timeless in American political lore. “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” Reagan asked.
As Republicans fight to win over the last remaining undecided voters this November, they would do well to reprise Reagan’s iconic question. Are Americans better off now than they were just two years ago, when Joe Biden became president and Democrats took both chambers of Congress? By any relevant metric, the answer is sure to be a definitive “no” – making a clear case for a change in Washington.
Everything Is More Expensive
Even something as simple as putting a meal on the table has become more difficult under Democrat rule. Since last year, the price of eggs is up 40%, milk is up 17%, and margarine is up about 40%. In total, grocery prices are up roughly 13% – the largest uptick in more than four decades. Even toilet paper prices have soared – the average roll is 6% to 8% shorter but 8% to 10% more expensive than it was two years ago.
Though gas prices have come down somewhat in recent months from record highs last summer, they are still sitting around $3.70 per gallon – up from $2.40 when Biden took office—and in many places, they are much higher than that. Meanwhile, public transportation costs are up more than 20% since last year. And when you get home after that newly-expensive commute and flip on the lights and heating, the electricity will cost you 16% more and the natural gas will cost you 40% more. Home heating costs are set to skyrocket again this upcoming winter.
Even previously comfortable and financially secure Americans are now feeling the pinch. According to a recent Gallup poll, 56% of Americans cite financial hardship due to price increases. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that for the past 17 months, inflation has outpaced wages. Nonetheless, despite the fact that their policies have directly led to these financial hardships, Democrats voted in August to raise taxes on the middle class, hire 87,000 IRS agents to harass families and small businesses, and ultimately worsen inflation.
Rents Are Up, Wealth Is Tanking, And Savings Are Depleting
Entering young adulthood and planning for the future is also a far more daunting prospect now than it was two years ago. Median monthly rent is about $1,900 – roughly $200 more than last year. 30-year mortgage rates just hit the highest levels since 2008, dramatically reducing the price of the home a homebuyer can afford. Credit card debt is increasing at the fastest clip in over two decades. Pair this with an April BMO Real Financial Progress survey showing that 60% of young Americans aged 18-34 say they’ve had to reduce contributions to their savings, and it is clear that for many, the American Dream of owning a home and building generational wealth is being destroyed by Democrat policies.
It’s not just young people who are struggling to make ends meet. In the same poll, 1 in 4 Americans say they will need to delay retirement due to skyrocketing prices. Many retirees have even re-entered the workforce because of inflation. Another survey found that about half of Americans 55 and older have dipped into emergency savings as a result of inflationary pressures.
To top it off, the stock market has continued to plummet as new economic numbers hit and investors make quick moves to shore up future losses. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq have each taken nosedives in recent weeks, crushing public pension funds, retirement accounts, and 401(k)s.
Americans Feel Less Safe as Crime Wave Continues Unabated
According to Gallup, 80% of Americans are worried about crime – the highest figure since 2016. Last year, homicides, robberies, and carjackings spiked across the country, and a number of Democrat-run cities are set to outpace these numbers again this year.
In January, a poll found that about 70% of Philadelphia residents cited crime, drugs, and safety as the top issue facing the city – a drastic 30 point jump from August 2020. As crime levels continue to worsen, this tracks with a more recent Siena poll showing that 70% of New York City residents feel less safe now than they did before the pandemic.
The crosstabs in the Siena poll should be of particular interest for Republicans running in districts that are competitive or lean Democratic: 70% of Democrats, 78% of Republicans, and 73% of Independents said they felt “less safe,” indicating a broad bipartisan consensus on the need to address crime. Moreover, the most notable spread occurred between sexes, not races: 63% of men said they feel less safe whereas 77% of women said the same – providing Republicans a critical opportunity to win back the women voters they lost ground with in 2020.
Radical Leftism Running Amok in Education as Achievement Dips
Measurable outcomes for K-12 learning show student test results are falling disastrously. The first national test results of nine-year-olds comparing scores before and after school closures show a five-point drop in reading levels, and a seven-point drop in math – the first drop recorded in the test’s history.
A growing number of parents of all political persuasions are also waking up to the reality that their children’s schools have become breeding grounds for toxic left-wing ideologies like Critical Race Theory and gender theory. It is no surprise that student achievement in math and reading is lagging considering schools are teaching sex-ed to kindergartners and replacing traditional instruction with lessons on “Whiteness Theory.”
Confidence in the Future Is Falling
There is perhaps no clearer sign that Americans are worse off than they were two years ago than the fact that measures of national confidence in the future have tumbled in recent months. According to a recent ABC/Ipsos poll, 69% of Americans say the economy is getting worse. Additionally, a recent AP-NORC poll shows 85% of Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction (78% of Democrats said this – a 56-point jump from when Biden first took office).
This would imply that not only are Independent voters persuadable, but even some Democrats are primed for a change in direction. Now, it will be up to Republicans to make the right arguments – and ask the right questions – to capitalize on voter frustrations and take back control of Congress this November.
Claire Brighn is the pen name of a conservative researcher and writer with previous domestic and foreign policy experience in the Executive Branch.
Valid question then & Now
Very obvious after 2 years of Lockdowns
A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends calmy informed me that Biden had no control over the horrible economic and crime statistics. He is a retired financial consultant. My brain and heart is exploding; however, I kept my mouth shut, because my friend is fighting different forms of cancer. My heart goes out to him for his courage in facing serious health conditions, but I’m horrified over the fact that my friend is such a political ignoramus.
Fauci is about $5million better than he was two years ago. The rest of us, not so much.
Republicans need to just stick with that question; are you better off now than you were 2 years ago? And watch them squirm and spin and try and explain how they had nothing to do with it they can just dig their own grave and jump in it
HeII to the F N0!
They don’t seem much terrified to me in fact in their arrogant way they seem sure of themselves because they’ve gotten away with the murder for too long
This is not 1980. Many Americans are either to lazy,ignorant or brainwashed to answer that question. The motto, Vote Blue no matter who is been ingrained in their brains,everything else secondary.
No, we are much worse off. The little I had in savings and in stocks has been greatly depleted.
Terrifies everyone capable of thinking…
YES! it’s going to look like IBP needs to hire more butchers.
No, I’m not better off with the buffoons running this country! I’m angry and hurt that this country has gone to hell in 2 years. How are us seniors suppose to survive with the prices going up every day? We need these idiots removed from office and God fearing people put into office NOW!
There will be a finite number of liberal extremists who might feel like they are better off after a couple of years of getting away with everything from petty theft to murder while grooming the next generation into dysphoria on so many levels, it boggles the mind. The rest of us who decided to grow up and live in the real world know what to do next month! This may be our last chance here in Nevada, Dems want to change the entire voting structure, (similar to Alaska’s ranking list ballots), to preserve their power grab. If you are conservative and live in Nevada, please remember to vote no on State Question 3!
Yes, the country was better off by far under the last administration. Biden has done nothing but tank our economy, deplete our energy supplies, and inflate all household costs. In addition he has sent billion$ to the war in Ukraine that are unaccounted for and he has no plans but to continue. Give Russia the 4 regions and get the US out of there. No toxic globalist marxism.
We are not better off now but it gets much worse then that. We are being abused by the illegal moves this administration keeps making. If the people make a red wave next month Republicans better listen to them and remove these criminal clowns in Bidens administration
Since most American citizens are not better off than they were two years ago, Democrats should fear for the jobs that they have done so poorly and do not deserve to retain. While politicians can be bought, obviously, the American people have to pay for the consequences of the policies that are allowed or implemented.
I am retired and basically living on social security and a small pension. I am seeing my expenses go up but my income is not. My savings will be not enough to keep me afloat for that long. I have given up going out to eat or entertainment. My clothes are what I have had for years. So years I am not better off.
Oh yea, we’re a wreck. But the Dims are convinced we will tolerate anything. And why not.
We gave the country to them after 4 great D Trump years so what makes anyone think we will
deny the Dims the chance to take us further into hell ? The problem ain’t the DIms. Its us.
If the Republican candidate is a Trumpet, I’m voting Dem. That’s it. The GOP will never live him down and the MAGA idiots forgot about Reagan
“The White House on Friday announced tough new visa restrictions and asset-freeze sanctions after a newly-declassified CIA report confirming that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the murder of Jamal Khashoggi — but none of the penalties strike at the prince himself.”
from “Biden hits Saudis with sanctions in Khashoggi murder — but not crown prince” (nypost.com/2021/02/26/biden-hits-saudis-with-sanctions-in-khashoggi-murder-but-not-crown-prince/, February 26, 2021)
“No one f**ks with a Biden,” the president said to Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy, in a clip shared on social media.”
from “Hot mic catches Biden cursing to defend his family name while surveying Hurricane Ian damage” (businessinsider.com/biden-caught-joking-hot-mic-no-one-fucks-with-biden-2022-10, October 5, 2022)
“The OPEC+ alliance announced Wednesday that it will cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day, a move that’s likely to send gas prices higher again after a year of tumult at the pump. …
Political analysts have observed a strong correlation between gas prices and Biden’s approval rating, as voters home in on gas prices as a proxy for inflation and thus the state of the economy.”
from “OPEC will cut production by 2 million barrels a day, likely sending gas and oil prices back up” (nbcnews.com/business/business-news/opec-announces-will-cut-production-2-million-barrels-day-move-likely-s-rcna50808, October 5, 2022)
Think again, senile, decrepit, corrupt Creepy Sleepy Quid Pro Joe!
With the run away inflation I and my wife have been forced to go back to work just to make ends meet. With Biden level of inflation in four or five years all the money that I saved up will be worth half as much.
I have delayed my retirement for at least 12 months after 40 years of 90-hour weeks, waiting out the market storm. 9% inflation and 3% dividends are a disaster for retirement.
Why are only White people’s taxes expected to pay for their assimilation out of existence by unlimited third-world immigration and FORCE integration into EVERY White country and ONLY White countries?
Nobody demands that the Chinese must pay for their assimilation out of existence by breeding with millions of non-Chinese in their own country.
Diversity is a code word for White Genocide.
Here’s better question to ask Democrats: Can a man get pregnant? Why” Because the entire basis of a Constitutional republic hinges on the acceptance of objective reality. If a man can be a woman simply by saying so, then two plus two can equal five for the same reason. And if people can be forced by the government to believe that which they KNOW is fundamentally untrue, then you have totalitarian rule.
The economy of the world has been disrupted by a lot of things that are NOT under the control of President Biden or any American institution. But the GOP will say anything to get power. They are happy with a proto-authoritarian like trump, a guy who inspired a violent attack on the Congress. They support candidates like herschel walker – totally unqualified for any elected office.
Absolutely! Every morning I wake up with a smile on my face that Trump isn’t President!
I started planning for my future in 1968 when I joined the United States Navy. I did not want my parents to pay for my education because I had five younger siblings still at home. I stayed in the Navy on active duty for 20 years. The best decision I’ve ever made. At the end of that career, I earned a monthly government check. I used the education I received from the Navy to continue my employment with them for another 20 years as a civilian employee doing the same job I did on active duty. For this career, I earned another monthly government check. The only difference in the work was fewer separations from my family on deployments. Another bonus for getting up every morning and going to work for 50 years I received another government check in the form of Social Security. My wife also got a Social Security check, but she received half the amount of my pension. My wife and children always received excellent medical care because of my career choice.
In my civilian job with the Navy, I opted to work at a Marine Corps base in the Mojave Desert. My children grew into adulthood, married, and set up their own lives using this desert as their “home port.” My grandchildren and now great-grandchildren consider it home. Before Biden and the Democrats put a stranglehold on my state to support their Communist Chinese Party bosses, I thought my descendants would have the same beautiful opportunities I enjoyed. Please be careful of whom you choose as your representative.
It’s all going into the pockets of the thieving Tammany Irish Drmocrats, their Reparationist streettrash, and their innumerable Communist NGO’s.
What I fear most is older Americans, and I myself am one, will buy the GOP line clearly taken in this cynical article. Our partisan scribe isn’t wrong to ask the famous question she does – no. not at all, but she limits the answers by leading the unwitting reader to those she wants you to agree with. What she didn’t point out were the vast numbers of friends, loved ones, citizens, and human beings who died under Trump – who defunded there very pandemic experts who could have saved so very. As with hurricanes in Puerto Rico, DJT was more than satisfied saying “The buck stops everywhere but here” as he threw out rolls of bargain brand paper towels. The economy he inherited had already begun showing the effects for his poor choices and profligate spending when he was summarily booted from office, but as soon as Biden took his place, the GOP again became “fiscally responsible” as though Trump never happened. Remember, Trump NEVER takes any blame – and he makes sure nobody who wants to be on his good side shifts any his way either. Biden is honest. Not perfect, not bombastic, but honest. Some American needs him – it’s his nature to want to, try to help. Look to Ron DeSantis. ASK him. Now look for any sort of genuine largesse from Trump whatsoever. Greed always sounds good when you are the beneficiary. I shouldn’t have to enumerate to anyone the many potent reasons Trump and his minions are bad for this country, but again, greed blinds its temporary beneficiaries. I HOPE AMAC is bipartisan and not a mouthpiece for the plankless Republican Party. It would make for a good resource if not so terminally doctrinaire as this article makes it seem.
DEMOCRATS ARE SO TERRIFIED OF TRUMP that they are willing to do anything to stop him. Given the number of DEAD trailing behind the key Democrats, does that “ANYTHING” include assassination? This question should be thrown in their faces!!!
Remember that the bribery & Treason crimes committed by top officials can put them in PRISON if the GOP takes back the Country!
EVERYTHING the dirty DC Democrats propose and enact have been proven failures. Biden makes Jimmy Carter look great
Author Brighn is right. What people need to vote on is the economy, schools, crime – issues hitting them now. Republicans need to work to ensure this election does not become one on the Trump Cult’s belief that all good and bad things in America revolve around their Maximum Leader,.
I’ve never been happy with Biden but, yes, I’m better off than 2 years ago because I am not threatened with a President who is trying to become a dictator. I also have a President supporting stamping out Covid. Trump’s own Dr. Birx said that no one could stop the first 100,000 deaths but Trump was responsible for half of the next 500,000.
I honestly believe there are no problems that do not have a solution. Further, I believe that often33d4dd the answers to tough problems are usually easy to understand, but generally hard to do. We have the following in the USA, and I not saying anything that pretty much everyone doesn’t already know
The solution to these, and the (very) long list of related issues, is simple:
Someone else’s rights end where mine begin.
And if you lie to me, or about me, you ought to be in trouble.
Trouble that you will really regret.
We used to know the above because they are so obvious.
Common sense we used to say.
Actually, we still know them- it’s just that we don’t dare say anything.
HECK NO! . . . AMERICA IS NOT BETTER OFF UNDER ANY / ALL POLICIES OF JACKASS JOE’S ADMINISTRATION!!!
Fauci is better off now. He’s at least $5 million richer.
This country is in a serious mess. Nothing good. Pray for a change in November.
We are better off now only because my husband came out of retirement and went back to work. With the extra income, we have been able to pay off our house and rent house and are debt free. However, I would like to purchase a new car, as the one I’m driving is 12 yrs old. We bought it for $38,000. To buy the same car today would be double! In addition, our health insurance went up from $200 to $300 a month when we went on Medicare! Thank God, we have a good retirement. I don’t know how people will make it with everything going sky high.
I am on a fixed income, and I can honestly say I am worse off than I was when Biden took office. I was doing good when Trump was president. I don’t see and never will believe that Biden won the election. He is just a puppet with BO as the puppet master and Soros as the pay master. I pray for Americans and for America. I see dictatorship in many ways. Does the dem-O’s want zombies walking around? Yes. They want to keep We the People under their thumbs.
I am not better off now, I can’t even go to the funeral of my family, because it is too expensive.
We have lost much ground financially since Biden arrived. We have lost freedom. Retirement in December, and we will continue to get new jobs. He botched the pandemic response. Our Military is trained to be woke rather than tactical. He is funding the Ukraine war with our tax dollars. Crime is at all time high.
Please, do not complain of #meantweets. Biden has left us poorer with more rule and globally vulnerable. He is void of a brain and very #mean. Also, sniffs kids hair.
OH!!! It’s gone far beyond that!!! Are you better off is no longer the question, we all know the answer to that. The new question is – is your community better off? Is your State better off? Is your Country better off, and finally is the World better off?????? And most important is your kids and grandkids and their kids and grandkids further better off???? Can you even imagine what history will say about these idiots and this so-called administration of criminals!!! LET’S GO brandon!!!!
Better off now than I was two years ago? HA! Better off now than I was TWO WEEKS ago, you mean. HyperBidenstagflation. I am curious to see if imbecile Biden supporters have had enough, have learned anything. I doubt it. You can’t fix stupid. I miss President Trump SO much. 758 days until the election. If we survive. America First. ULTRAMAGA.
Jack was asked the same poll question while floating on a door after the Titanic hit the iceberg…
The deck is stacked, without election integrity, you had better learn to speak Chinese, because that is who owns Biden, and also who he’s already sold us out to. Once you’ve figured out the origin of the Corona virus, and who financed the gain of function research, strictly for the purpose of destroying Trump, and taking over a million lives world-wide, and Biden and his crack-head son, loading their pockets up with Chinese money, it should be abundantly clear which direction he’s trying to take us.
It all depends on who you ask the question. The socialist/democrats are definitely better off because their agenda is succeeding. As more and more of our freedoms are taken away, the rest of America those who are not in the upper echelon, are suffering and will continue to suffer. The two level system of the socialist/communists are them and us. If we don’t like it we better make changes, FAST.
The ONLY thing that worries DEMOCRATs is , whether or not those eletronic voting machines ( EVs ) will perform as DEMOCRATs want . DEMOCRATs want the electronig voting machines to switch your vote to a DEMOCRAT. They worry , that the electronic voting machines might actually add a vote for a Republican to a Republican instead of to a DEMOCRAT . DEMOCRATs also worry that those EVs might not switch Democrat votes for a Repuliban back to a Democrat . I believe in 2020 , millions of Democrats voted for Trump but their votes were switched to Biden . Who would know ? It’s the perfect crime ! There’s no paper trail . Lets say that you’re one of the millions of Democrats who voted for Trump . But , unbeknownst to you , your vote was placed in Biden’s column . How would you know ? Do you know who you voted for ? We must get rid of those Electronic Voting machines . The entire country of France recently held a nationwide election using paper ballots and clear plastic official ballot boxes at official polling places and no one complained . And, the election was conducted in ONE day . And, the results were announced at 11:00 on Election night . We used to do this before we switched to electronic voting machines. We can AND must do it again .
This is a well documented article. It showcases the plight of Americans and the partisan disinterest of the demonrat party. But don’t forget the RINO’s; they are every bit as complicit.
Bottom line, the Dems over-arching interest focusses on harnessing political power to enrich themselves and to destroy their opponents. The welfare of the nation and its citizens be damned. They’re a tertiary concern.
Democrats are stealing from Retirees just to dole it out to their welfare ni@@ers.