DONALD TRUMP - MY 200 DAY REVIEW.

While many will forever hate and criticize DJT, after 200 days in office, some things have become very clear about this talented and complex man. He is widening his base of supporters from a diverse population and clearly getting things done. In no particular order, I've listed a few areas in which he has commanded and lead the nation.

1. Trump has been available and open to the press at every event and travel transition. Usually without a script or listening device linked to an off-screen advisor, he listens and answers straight and "gotcha" questions directly and with ease, confidence and intelligence unlike Joe Biden.

2. His strident themes of America First, Made in America and American Exceptionalism shine with a renewed freshness reminiscent of President Reagan. In signing numerous executive orders, he has explained his reasons and done so in public within the full view of the press.

3. Since the failed assassination attempt in Butler Pennsylvania, Trump has become a greater spokesperson for the traditional Christian/Judeo values which framed America's founding. While he will never attain the humility and high moral ground of President Carter, it is significant he recognizes and celebrates a Supreme Being as the ultimate leader. 

4. Given his swashbuckling and dramatic history as a mega entrepreneur and entertainer, his 2024 term has been highlighted by aggressive attempts to bring peace and order to troubled parts of the world.  As Theodore Roosevelt reminded America to speak softly and carry a big stick, Trump has carefully used the nation's military sparingly with care and pinpoint accuracy. 

5. Candidates seeking an election victory usually offer an agenda of promises to voters. In his 2024 bid Trump also followed the tradition but has demonstrated great success in fulfilling his agenda. With a national mandate from citizens and a talented blend of cabinet members he is simply getting things done on the key domestic, economic and global issues challenging the nation.   

6. With imagination and a slim majority of support from Congress and the Supreme Court, Trump has pressed a difficult plan to refresh and reset the efficiency and economy of government via the formation of DOGE. He has also declared war on a federal bureaucracy of unelected agents to limit their regulations which slow and complicate the affairs of citizens and business enterprises. With a new vision of international trade, he has boldly initiated a program of tariffs with the goal of making fairer trade deals for America. Obviously, he seeks to center more businesses in America while protecting our national treasures of industrial and AI innovations and secrets.

7. Given a history of unjust impeachments, legal challenges and a questionable 2020 election result, Trump soldiers along as a man with a long list of programs. Since shedding his association with the democratic party, he has endured endless negative and subjective press coverage. The democrat party has sustained a schedule of total opposition and hate for all things Trump since his ride down the escalator and announcement as a presidential candidate. A majority of entertainers, academia, and social influencers oppose Trump at every turn. However, Trump continues to smile and despite his fortune and fame chooses the most challenging assignment as POTUS. 

8. While he may never garner a Nobel Peace Prize, a place on Mount Rushmere, or the national and international respect he has earned, history books in a few decades will mark his time as a renaissance event for the United States and the world. 

May God Bless and protect Donald J. Trump and the USA.

   

  

MAMDANI & EDUCATION

The rise and possible election of Mamdani will further tarnish the economy and personal liberties of NYC citizens, but it also signals a deeper problem.

Too many children and adults lack an understanding and the historic failure of past societies and cultures ruled by socialism and communism. Our educational system has consistently failed, and the ignorance endangers the stability and future of a nation blessed with a free market and remarkable Constitution. 

Teach history to your children and fellow citizens and protect and preserve the promise of America!

THE SMELL OF THE TIDEWATER

 I must confess my fondness for the distinctive odor of tide waters. 

From my youth along the tributaries of the Elizabeth River to my mature and older life here in Poquoson Virginia, I find the smell of low and storm tides wonder filled manifestations of life, death and natures endless cycle of renewal.  

Within the tides and the marshlands there is the beginning of life for shelled, winged and finned creatures. Those same waters and muds also witness the demise and decay of the water borne creatures and the adjacent foliage. This endless cycle then fertilizes new life despite the fouling of our waters by harmful substances and objects.

While some may consider the smell of the tides and marshy ooze as offensive, I love and embrace the nasal experience as another glorious gift from the nature created by Almighty God.

AMERICAN RENAISSANCE

 I sense a renaissance in America today. 

Common sense, national pride and a rejuvenation of our economy has emerged since the installment of Trump as POTUS #47. While the political left and legacy media continue to flail with their siren song of negativism and TDS, most Americans recognize and celebrate the positive changes. 

May God bless America and its diverse and exceptional citizens. 

THE POWER OF PATIENCE AND PRAYER

While the enemies of DJT are working hard to manufacture a new outrage or replay a past false outrage, Trump is moving ahead with his MAGA, MAHA and DOGE projects. A "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" attitude energizes POTUS every day and fires loyalty and support from his supporters. 

The 2024 national elections manifested an overwhelming mandate for change. The Democrats failed miserably and easily lost the reins of Executive and Congressional power. Now, Democrats are adrift seeking leadership and allowing some of their members to seek attention with profanity and childish stunts. The traditionally faithful legacy media and celebrity pals of the donkey party are gradually falling away. Also, many congressional democrats are going "independent" or retiring.

Those afflicted with TDS don't understand or appreciate the approval of voters in November meant that attacks on Trump are also attacks on his supporters. Calling the president a Nazi, monster, fascist, dictator or oligarch is also an insult and false charge against his followers. Trump supporters are mad at the waste, corruption and ineptitude of the Biden reign and expect the president to fulfill his campaign promises and do his best. 

Rather than recognizing reality and cooperating to make America great, healthy and efficient again, many democrats are in opposition mode and it's a damn shame. Within a two party system, it seems the minority party would offer constructive criticism and help in reaching  broad goals mandated by a majority of voters. 

I believe with tons of patience and prayer, the admirable goals of President Trump and his supporters will come to pass during his term in office or the first term of his republican successor. 

    

SIMPLY BAD BEHAVIOR

Politicians and Social Influencers from the most extreme wings of the Democratic and Republican parties have convinced too many poorly educated, illegal aliens, stupid, gullible, uncivilized and disorderly citizens that any measures to stop politicians and their agendas are acceptable. 

As an example, after over ten years of outrageous and untrue allegations from relentless political and media enemies, state sponsored anti-Trump lawfare, assassination suggestions and attempts, DJT has survived. He continues to build on his goals of making America healthier, wealthier, smarter, and the world's leading constitutional capitalist country.  However. the bottomless pit of hatred for Trump is alarming. In a recent address to Congress, he claimed that there was no action or miracle he could perform that would please the opposition party. Sadly, he was right. 

The hatred of President Trump and other political leaders and movements is alarming and possibly linked to the cultural changes we've allowed and experienced over the last few generations. First, there are too many unguided children in households without fathers. Next, too many parents and guardians fail to provide children with basic training in ethical behavior and a code of religious or moral values. We have too many indulgent parents who believe substituting a lot of stuff can replace disciplined parenting. 

Our public school system has failed miserably despite massive funding and tons of political double talk. Public schools have omitted lessons in American History and Civics while emphasizing studies in DEI, anti American propaganda and bizarre sexual practices. Many among us celebrate and fail to understand the filthy lyrics of popular music and the racist, anti American tone of some entertainment figures. Also, unapologetic racist leaders and organizations have exploited rare police mistakes into uncontrollable crisis's which allow and encourage mobs to burn, loot and murder. All the while, some politicians have actually demanded less policing and legitimate law enforcement.  

Our nation thrives and improves from it's diversity and political differences. However, there must be a greater level of civility from our leaders to set an example for all citizens. Simply stated, no society can sustain and survive the level of bad behavior we currently allow.  When congress, POTUS, high level government officials, media talking heads, leaders of academia, and entertainment/sports stars practice  more civilized and reasonable means to settle differences, the general population might learn to calm the stormy waters of unrest. Our greatest national enemy could be we the people and unchecked our national bad behavior could destroy us.       

TODAYS QUESTION ?

Shouldn't an objective party expose the current financial worth of US congressional and executive branch members? Beyond their net worth when installed as members of Congress and the Executive Branch, it seems many have become exceedingly rich, WHY?

WILL CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS CHANGE?

 In the wake of Trump's clear electoral mandate and ambitious plans to execute his agenda, there is a relentless effort by congressional democrats to double down on opposing and demonizing all things Trump. Why?

Do the leading members of the donkey party really oppose making "America First" or reforming bloated government spending and draining the DC swamp of a regulation happy bureaucracy? 

Are the constituents of said democratic leaders best served by leaders devoted to universally opposing the clear mandate earned by DJT? 

While it is important that all political parties share in the responsibility of managing the affairs of a constitutional republic, shouldn't democratic opposition be reasonable and respectful? Do the spectacles of street protests and their shameful conduct during Trump's congressional speech serve the best interests and needs of the citizens they represent?

In my opinion, upcoming elections will not serve the democratic party very well. I expect some congressional members of the democratic party may change their party affiliation, retire or seek new pursuits. 

Hopefully, many democrat party leaders will abandon the false narratives and accusations used against Donald Trump over the last decade. While the far-left media, academic and Hollywood crowd's hateful rhetoric loses favor, democratic party leaders should at least join Trump and Company in sharing his optimistic goals of " America First" and Reagan's vision of " American Exceptionalism".

 

         

POST ELECTION REFLECTIONS

Thank God it's all over. Please suffer my few observations.

First, isn't it wonderful the ugly road signs will soon be gone. Isn't it great the radio and TV political ads are gone, and the biased media propaganda and fluster will fade away. Isn't it nice our daily mail will no longer contains fat envelopes full of political contribution appeals. Whether your person or party won the day, I think we can all be united with these immediate post-election results.

However, Trump won! More importantly, voters made the choice and opted for changes to how our government conducts its domestic and international affairs. 

In our system of government, many don't admit, fully understand or appreciate politics. Further, many people are unwilling to express or share their political views. Their choice. However, we must appreciate that politics touch every aspect of our lives. From the rules that govern our behavior to the prices we pay, the political beliefs of those who control the sites of local, state and federal power are critical in our lives. 

America was blessed with founders who designed a framework of laws and a constitution which wisely divided powers between executive, legislative and judicial branches. These centers of political power grant a unique balance to our system of governance and insure a system of checks and balances. Adjustments to our constitution and body of common laws have been made over the decades of our republic. Our system of government is not perfect but has a design feature which has and will endure the stresses of change.

Whatever, the outcome of the election and one's personal preferences, today is a day we should all celebrate. Our freedom to vote ruled election day. We will survive the changes and hopefully prosper as the world's superpower of economic freedom, personal liberties and military might.   

 

GET "ER DONE ON 11/5/24

OK friends and neighbors, it's time to sweep away the bad four years of the Harris/Biden regime. We need to refresh America with DJT and his likeminded congressional partners to Make America Great Again. 

Trump has been unfairly attacked and prosecuted by federal agencies for four years. He has been unjustly impeached and demonized by the Democrat Party four years. Additionally, most of the media and elitist left have spent many years unfairly characterizing DJT as the evilest human alive. Real assassins and potential wannabes have been motivated by the hate rhetoric of far-left extremists.

In my opinion, it's time for a BIG change in Washington DC. 

Except for the Chinese virus, his 2016-20 term was a good and stable time for most Americans. We suffered no endless expensive wars or floods of illegal immigrants during the Trump years. He didn't suddenly shut down the careful use of our natural resources. He supported a strong military and domestic law and order. Also, he diligently worked to reduce the heavy burden of taxation and unnecessary federal regulations. We didn't struggle under inflation; our gas prices were lower, and our southern border was much more secure. 

Fellow citizens, carefully consider the facts of our last four years domestically and as a world superpower. Set aside the feelings and emotions of personalities because we're voting for the most powerful elected official in the world, and not a 5th grade class president. Don't be a single-issue voter and don't vote out of habit or peer pressure from your family or friends.

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE and God Bless America.   

THE MAIN QUESTION ABOUT K. ?

Kamala Harris talks happy talk full of joy and promise of great things to come if she is elected. However, the great mystery is why her envisioned bright future begins in January of 2025? 

Where the hell and high water has the Harris/Biden team been since of January 2021? 

During her 2012-24 tenure:

Why has our southern border exploded with so many more illegal immigrants, drug dealers and violent criminals?

Why have the prices of fuel, food, energy, general goods and services steadily increased in price? Why have earnings lagged behind inflation which has forced many to use their savings or retirement nest eggs to keep pace with rising costs? 

Why are there raging hot wars in Europe and the Middle East and steady rumbles and rumors of war in Asia and Africa? 

Why have departments of the federal government been used to stage years and years of legal warfare against the chief opponent of the Democratic Party - Donald J. Trump?

Why do the domestic evils of drug addiction, crime and homelessness continue to plague our cities, towns and rural communities while billions in foreign military aid and illegal immigrant freebies are allowed by the Harris/Biden duo?  

Simple stated, can we place our trust in Kamala Harris who has either ignored or failed to participate in solving the decline of our economy and society? Can or will Harris in the next four years, handle our national superpower status any better in dealing with serious international struggles than shown over the last four years?  

Folks, it's time we fish or cut bait, which I think means time to separate facts from feelings. Do we want her happy talk of promises and a pitiful continuance of her 2021-2024 record of failures, or do we need Trump to repeat his past successes and habit of firm leadership?  

SAD DAYS FOR AMERICA?

I have followed presidential races since the days of Ike and am alarmed and saddened by the current presidential election. While the major political parties represent different visions for America's future, there is an element of hate and outrage that is dangerous and extreme.

Supporters of both candidates show great enthusiasm and passion. However, I don't understand individuals and groups who support the physical destruction or lifetime imprisonment of Donald Trump. Equally, those who feel the election of Kamala Harris would end our free enterprise republic hold an over-the-top view, in my opinion.

All should be reminded of our nation's federal government unique structure of three equal and separate branches; executive, judicial and legislative. Over the decades of war and peace, these departments have checked the other branches and controlled the chaos of dark domestic and international events. Additionally, I believe the resilience of citizens in surviving major national challenges such as The Civil War, full integration of minorities, women's suffrage and terrible periods of war highlight a reasonable population of men and women.  

In my opinion, since the beginning we have been a nation of incredible natural resources, an outstanding body of founding principles and laws, and a diverse population of the world's best people. Our prosperity, peace and progress has never depended on one president or the other, but on the people of the nation.

While supporting your preferred candidate with passion and facts, supporting extremes to win the day is evil and un-American. I am confident that America will survive no matter the outcome of the 2024 election and pray that the merchants of hate will end or tone down their harmful rhetoric.

God Bless Kamala, Donald and the United States of America!

OCTOBER WONDERS TO BEHOLD?

As the weeks melt away leading to election day look for these democratic miracles from Kamala and Company. Announcements of new federal grants for all citizens and businesses, lowered gasoline prices, sudden promises to secure the border, re-open the oil pipelines and back the police 100%. Additionally, Kamala will drop her obsession for the "green new deal" and fervent backing of anti-Israel movements, BLM, Antifa and "woke" groups. She will swear a new allegiance to dissolving the government swamp in Washington and pledge total support to build and improve our military. She will make a solemn oath to help our veterans, homeless and drug addicted citizens before giving any more money and safe refuge to "illegal" aliens. 

Upon these announcements, the biased print and electronic media will go bonkers with excitement and give her extended unlimited coverage. Some fence sitting politicians will even jump onboard the Kamala train. Uninformed, low information and gullible voters will suck up her promises like hopeless souls finding a new and glorious savior. 

Don't be fooled friends and neighbors. 

Her promises will be a last-ditch effort to sway voters. Essentially, she will desperately attempt to move from a far-left political agenda to a more centrist set of political views. If, God forbid, she wins she will shift back to her historic record of being an extreme leftist California and federal politician. Her pre-election words will be empty and represent a strategy to sound more like Trump.

Carefully look at the facts and economic numbers of the last four years of the Biden Harris regime. Consider their foreign policy blunders and blind reversal of Trump policies from day one of their failed administration. 

Don't be fooled by the onslaught of October surprises and promises from the Kamala camp!

CHOOSE WISELY FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

Shortly, we will elect a new President and its damn important we get it right! Carefully separate the facts from the emotions, media bias and political advertising puffery and bullshit. Reject all polls and political pundit opinions and guesses. Look long and hard at the candidates' qualifications, past performances and records. 

Focus on your vote as the deciding factor in the outcome. Consider the economic hardships and changes you've suffered over the last 4 years. Think about the "woke" world promoted by Biden and Harris and its implications on the prices of everything, the declining morale of our armed forces, unenforced laws and civil order on our streets and a national education level dropping with every new pronoun, bathroom or bizarre mandate. 

Understand and learn that the warm/fuzzy philosophical dream of socialism and communism is impossible and has proven deadly for billions of people. With an out-of-control IRS, taxes will be dramatically increased and literally levied on every breath we take. Also, after almost four years, Biden/ Harris did little to stem the tide of illegal aliens at our southern border. Despite word salads and happy talk under their leadership, or the lack of, the numbers of illegals, raw criminals and drug traffickers increased well beyond the numbers during the Bush, Clinton, Obama and Trump presidencies. 

Seriously, consider the far-left political record of Harris and how she is now flip flopping on many of her old positions to draw voters and appear less radical. Think about all her current promises to fix everything, which her administration screwed up, from her day one in 2025 when her actual day one was really in 2021. And why is everything bad Trumps fault when democrats actually occupied the White House twenty of the last 24 years? Why is Harris afraid of press conferences/debates and giving details about her agenda, when Trump will talk endlessly to any reporter without a tele prompter or notes?  

Trumps record before the Chinese Virus was one of no wars, momentum towards national energy independence, increased employment, tax breaks for all classes, increased household earnings, precise elimination of terrorist leaders, dynamic business growth, a plan and desire to secure the southern border, a willingness to meet with any adversarial world leader, steps to build our military strength and readiness, and moves to decrease the influence and number of federal unelected administrative decision makers. Trump will pick up his agenda from late 2020 and continue to "Make America Great Again" and help Americans and the world see "American Exceptionalism" once again alive and well! 

Remember, Harris and her closet allies have political visions a million radical miles from the Democratic Party core ideals held by Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, John Kennedy and Clinton. Harris and her far left radical ideas if fulfilled will destroy our economy, our military, our culture, our laws, and the principles embodied in our Constitution. 

Dear friends and neighbors get the facts before casting your invaluable vote. 

Set aside your family voting tradition, peer pressure or the tired and now false generalizations from your grandparents, preacher, or neighborhood influencer. Vote in 2024 as though the future of your economic and domestic liberty, the future of America and all your descendants were at stake ... because they are!  

POLITICAL FEELINGS AND FACTS

Politics is the sticky stuff that controls ALL aspects of our existence. 

Our vote represents the main power we have to choose politicians, understand their tax schemes and desires to regulate every facet of our lives. While some people are reluctant to discuss or publicize their politics, it is important to participate in the process. Every voting citizen must discover and understand the agenda of all the candidates and their political parties. In my opinion, armed with facts and knowledge, one must politely and firmly state their choices and justifications for same. 

Beyond the media propaganda, fantasy fluff of political ads, spoken candidate promises and the peer/social pressure we all face, making a wise choice is difficult. We must try and discover an aspirant's past history, accomplishments and record as a citizen, government, military or business leader. Then, separating facts from feelings and rumors is another task of hard work given the unending noise of claims and counter claims coming from all directions. 

Finally, considering our constitutional republic and its utilization of capitalism has been a very successful government model, we must consider how our vote sustains or changes this winning historic model. Ultimately, our question must be, what is in the best interests of my personal liberty and economic wellbeing, and holds the best future for my children, grandchildren and yet to be born American generations? 

  

IRS EMPLOYEE TAX DELINQUENTS

Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa has just released this shocking information. Approximately 5800 IRS employees have unpaid federal taxes amounting to fifty million (50,000,000) dollars. This amounts to about $ 5800 per delinquent IRS employee.

Recently, House Representative David Schweikert of Arizona, reported our national debt had reached thirty-five trillion (35,000,000,000,000) dollars. He further revealed that an astounding 45.68% of every tax dollar collected is necessary to simply pay the interest on our national debt. While Congress and the President spend billions willy nilly we get the bill and there is little accountability on their ungodly shopping sprees.  

The IRS gets billions of federal dollars annually and the Biden Administration has demanded more and more employees and agents be hired for this tax collecting outfit. Recently, Vice President Harris cast the tie breaking vote in Congress to give the IRS an additional eighty billion (80,000,000,000) dollars. Surprisingly or maybe not, this new IRS windfall was granted with no reform requirements for the agency. By the way, the IRS tax cheats were fired and then rehired or shuffled off to other federal departments.

While numbers and hard facts are difficult to understand and perhaps boring, they reveal our nation's colossal financial mess. Sadly, not new and getting worse year after year.  

A deeper problem is the lying and coverup of problems we receive from our federal government leaders, their bureaucracies and the media. For too long American taxpayers have ignored or been unaware of the corruption and wasteful spending along the Potomac. Politicians of all stripes like spending our money and poking their noses into our personal and business affairs. Most politicians won't or don't tell the truth about our national financial health or the vast maleficence alive in most federal agencies and their thousands of civil servants. 

Did you know a large portion of the monthly hiring report increases are for more federal employees? How often does the White House Press Secretary, federal leader or congressional witness give a yes or no answer? How often are these questions referred to another agency or put on hold with a promised follow-up? Where the hell is the accountability?

Our financial mess is a national shame. President Biden's SOTU desire to get another percent or two from the richest among us to solve our budgetary morass is simply another untruth. Do the math to uncover this whopper of a lie. 

The only thing we can do is use our voices to constantly challenge and demand answers from our politicians and cast our valuable vote with a deeper understanding of the issues and candidates. 

ELECTING TRUMP ADVICE

If we wish to install Donald J. Trump as our 47th President I offer a little advice:

1. Ignore all polling reports.

2. Ignore all media reporting and commentaries.

3. Do not assume an easy landside or win until all votes are counted. 

4. Gently but confidently reveal your support of Trump to family, friends and your social networks. Use statistics and established records in your communications. Refrain from arguments.

5. Do not wait until election day to cast your vote. Weather, overcrowding, forgetting or inconvenience may deny your voting. Vote absentee or early to ensure your vote is counted. 

6. Remember your vote is a citizen right, privilege and obligation.

  

GOD BLESS THE MOMS

God bless my dear mom. Thanks too, for all the mothers, mamas, grannies, and aunts who were moms. Give 'em a big hug on their special day of honor and remember them fondly if they have moved on to heaven. 

REPUBLICANS WINNING 2024?

 It is incumbent on republicans, independents and right leaning democrats to learn an important lesson from main stream democrats.

Democrats have mastered the art and magic of early voting while too many on the other side wait until the last day and hours to vote on election day. An early vote prevents a failure to vote on election day because of bad weather, simply forgetting or assuming your guy has an unbeatable mandate.

Using absentee voting at city hall or by mail, filling a bus/van of seniors-neighbors-relatives to vote early, and emphasizing the importance to family and friends will make the difference in 2024. 

To erase or cover late night ballot box "shenanigans", votes from the deceased and multiple votes from the opposition, republicans must mount an historic early voting offensive. 

We can and should send Trump and more republicans members to Congress. We must untangle the mayhem of Biden's term and stem the domestic and international degradation of the United States caused by his poor judgement. 

Specifically, seal the Southern border and welcome only "legal" immigrants, restore our energy independence, reform and reduce the administrative state size of unelected bureaucrats and lobbyists, forever eliminate a DOJ which  prosecutes political opponents, let the free market work, establish term limits for members of Congress, return to the wise counsel established in our Constitution and existing body of laws, stay out of foreign wars, and slowly restore our place as the worlds dominant economic, military, and republican form of government.

Simply stated let us be an Exceptional nation again! 

 

BIDEN'S SOTUS RANT

Joe Biden's speech was loud, hateful and continued the Obama trend of dividing and conquering Americans by groups. Biden clearly preached a message appealing to the racial, economic and cultural differences of our wonderful and diverse population. It was a mean speech grandly lauded by democratic politicians and their ever loyal media and academic puppets. 

He bragged and lied about fictional successes and promises of more and more federal programs to cure all the problems of our society. More and more federal spending on social programs simply increases our national deficit, increases our taxes, and the growth of the unelected administrative state. Except for national defense, the federal government is a drag on our capitalist republican style of government.

Destroying our southern border, dismantling our move towards energy independence, continuing inflation, the sloppy and deadly Afghanistan withdrawal, repeated foreign policy blunders, and the corruption of the Biden Family will be the legacy of this POTUS. History will someday rank him near the failure level of James Buchanan who failed to prevent the Civil War. 

Sadly and significantly, the democratic party is more united than their republican counterparts. Additionally, the legacy media, academic high brows and hollywood weirdos will happily support Biden's second term. If Haley and other leading republicans fail to back Trump 100% and if republican voters fail to vote early, Biden will be reelected in 2024.

A key question remains. Except for the Chinese Virus (Covid) are you better off now than you were four years ago?