Letter to the Editor

After eight years, still not better off

Sunday, September 28, 2008

To the Editor:

Perhaps the best question ever asked in a political campaign was that of Ronald Reagan, "Are you better off than you were eight years ago?" I am not better off. Why: 1. Some of my retirement savings has vanished with the declining stock market; 2. The value of my home has diminished due to the decline in the housing market; 3. The increase in gas and energy costs limits my ability to visit my family; and 4. The high price of food means putting items back on the grocery shelf.

Do I consider myself poor? No, not at all, and there are many people who really are n financial straights. But, am I better off now than I was eight years ago? No. The meltdown of the financial and housing market reportedly will cost the taxpayer somewhere around $700 billion so we can bail out Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, and other banks because for the past eight years the Republicans have deregulated the banking industry. Will this financial mess increase my taxes? Probably, so along with every other resident in Clay County, and it is time to put the middle class first. I am voting my pocket book. I cannot allow four more years of Bush economics.

The people of Clay County will not be financially better off with John McCain. I am voting for Barack Obama and I urge you to vote for Obama also.

Ronald Bricker,

Brazil