Your life during different Presidential terms (non-political!)

[Spider-Dan]

Disclaimer: As contradictory as the thread topic might sound, this thread isn't intended for comments like "My transmission died because of George Bush!"

During a Presidential election cycle, one frequently hears a version of the question, "Are you better off today than you were 4/8 years ago?"  Recently, I decided to think about different Presidential terms I've lived through and how my life has fared during them, and it seems that most terms have been pretty clearly positive or clearly negative for me.  So I thought I'd ask, in general terms, how different terms have went for some of the posters on this site.  (Again, this isn't really to score political points, although if Clinton closed a base and that was the worst thing that ever happened to you, I suppose it's relevant.)

For me, the top three terms have been:

1. Obama 1
2. GHWB 1
3. Obama 2

And the bottom three terms (with 1 being worst) have been:

3. GWB 2
2. GWB 1
(large gap)
1. Clinton 1

[Phishfan]

I find it very hard to answer this question because what defines better off? Financially I am better than I was in my youth, but I was much happier with life and didn't worry about money back then. I was carefree, traveled, and didn't mind sleeping on a floor or even outdoors and I look at those times very fondly but I am a different person now.

[Spider-Dan]

I am defining "better" in the most subjective terms possible: your own interpretation of your quality of life during that term.

So if you think your life was better when you were poor-but-happy, then rate that term higher.  Likewise, if you think your life is better overall when you are secure-but-stressed, then rate that higher.

[Phishfan]

The top
1) Clinton 1
2) George H.W. Bush
3) Clinton 2

The bottom
3) Carter
2) Obama 1
1) GWB 2

[DaLittle B]

I'd say most have been a pretty equal dose of good and bad.I also feel like it's too hard to judge in hindsight,as I know differently,and how somethings effected me much more now,than back then.I realize now more than ever,that things that happen during one presidency,might have huge impacts,or implications years later.

I mean Reagan 1 was probably very beneficial to my Mom,bullish to my step dad.Reagan 2 was Hellish to my Mom,especially from someone looking on the outside.

I feel Like I can't Blame,or Credit any 1 president for any dramatic swings in my life either way.

My life has become more open,and accepting and understanding. Debrain-washed of the B.S. this living in this area tried to install in me as complete undeniable fact.

I most regret the G.W.Bush years,The Carter,Reagan,G.H.Bush,Clinton,and Obama are all a push +/-

[Dave Gray]

I am in good shape now....the best I've ever been, in terms of financial stability and having my ducks in a row.

The worst point started right near the end of the Bush administration and carried into the first two years of the Obama administration.  It was a two-pronged issue.  The value of my property fell out and everyone in my association started moving out, leaving a ghost town.  And my business was shrinking.  It took a toll on me not only financially, but personally.  I was home all day, less busy than I was, sleeping in late, etc.  It took a toll because I just wasn't social.

I got a different job that wasn't more money at first, but it was less stressful and I didn't have to worry about its long-term viability.  And the hours were more traditional, so I got on a schedule.  And I had kids and got out from under my mortgage.

Best to Worst:
Obama 2
GWB 1
Obama 1
GWB 2


This 16 year period covers most of my adult, working life.  Clinton 2 was good times for me, but I still lived at home and was in college, so I didn't have the pressures of a traditional working life.

[Spider-Dan]

Part of what got me thinking about this topic in the first place was that question: "Are you better off today than you were 4/8 years ago?"

Even though I'm an extreme partisan, on the level of my own personal life it usually doesn't track with national events.  For example, I work in IT in the Bay Area and avoided layoffs during the dot-com bust (I actually did quite well in job advancement at that time), but in 2002 as the economy was picking back up and the bubble was building, I was laid off.  I had spotty employment and was working mostly part-time until 2007, but in 2009 as the economy was in tatters I actually got a major promotion.  The housing market collapsed just as I was saving money to buy, and I was able to buy a house in 2010 at the rock bottom of real estate prices.

It's like I've been doing well when things should be going poorly, and have had a rough time when things should be going great.

[CF DolFan]

I remember the 70 and 80's being hard and getting better towards the end but 1991 - 2008 were very good years. Regardless of where I worked I had lots of work, lots of raises and even a lot of bonuses. since 2007 things have changed and raises and bonuses are very minimal. In fact I don't know very many people who still get bonuses. Raises are typically 3% now so really they aren't even raises. Heck I went 6 years with out getting a raise and paying out more for benefits.  Hard to say what was the best but the economy is much different today. Everyone works for as little as possible and so there isn't much spreading the wealth as there used to be.     

[Tenshot13]

I remember the 70 and 80's being hard and getting better towards the end but 1991 - 2008 were very good years. Regardless of where I worked I had lots of work, lots of raises and even a lot of bonuses. since 2007 things have changed and raises and bonuses are very minimal. In fact I don't know very many people who still get bonuses. Raises are typically 3% now so really they aren't even raises. Heck I went 6 years with out getting a raise and paying out more for benefits.  Hard to say what was the best but the economy is much different today. Everyone works for as little as possible and so there isn't much spreading the wealth as there used to be.    

I get bonuses every year, so you know one person...well kindof, you don't really KNOW me, you know Tenshot, but you get the gist.

[Spider-Dan]

Necropost update:

After 2 more terms, I would probably say my top three/bottom three is mostly unchanged, with only one substitution...

Top three:
1. Obama 1
2. GHWB 1
3. Biden 1 (changed from Obama 2)

Bottom three:
3. GWB 2
2. GWB 1
(large gap)
1 (worst). Clinton 1

[masterfins]

Best:

1) Clinton #1 (By far the best)
2) Clinton #2
3) Reagan #1

Worst:

1) Nixon
2) Carter
3) Obama #2