Are We Better Off Now?

The economy is issue number one for many voters. And some Democrats are hoping people check their wallets before heading to the polls They're trying to pin the current recession on Republican policies.

Ask yourself a question - are you better off now than you were when George Bush took office.

 YOU WILL HEAR A LOT OVER THE NEXT NINE WEEKS ABOUT FAMILY BUDGETS AND THE STRUGGLING MIDDLE CLASS...AND WHETHER THE ECONOMY IS BETTER OFF TODAY.

In a word, No. You're comparing a recession today with eight years ago, when you were in a boom and that's a tough comparison no matter how you slice it.

TOUGH COMPARISON INDEED. REMEMBER GAS AT A DOLLAR FORTY NINE? IT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED DURING GEORGE W. BUSH'S ADMINISTRATION...MOST RECENTLY 3.68 CENTS A GALLON. MEDICAL COSTS ARE GOBBLING UP AN EVER BIGGER CHUNK OF YOUR HARD-EARNED DOLLAR. THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY:

MORE THAN 17 CENTS OF EVERY CONSUMER DOLLAR IS SPENT ON HEALTH CARE... TUITION AND FOOD PRICES ARE EXPLODING, AS PAYCHECKS AFTER INFLATION SHRINK.

ECONOMIST MARK ZANDI SAYS THE RICH ARE A LITTLE RICHER THE POOR: A LITTLE POORER AND EVERYONE ELSE: I think for the average American they are treading water financially.

Their incomes are about where they were eight years ago and their net worth is about where it was eight years ago as well.

HISTORICALLY, INCOME RISES. THE DEMOCRATS BLAME WHITE HOUSE ECONOMIC POLICY.

IT'S ONE REASON MANY SAY JOHN MCCAIN MUST DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM BUSH AND CHOOSE A RUNNING MATE STRONG ON THE ECONOMY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOP WARNS AGAINST DEMOCRATS TAXING AND SPENDING THE COUNTRY FURTHER IN THE HOLE.