The Answer—and What Comes Next

To paraphrase another president, whether we are better off now than we were four years ago depends on the meaning of “we,” not to mention the meaning of “better off,” and even the meaning of “four years ago.” Start with “we.” The upper crust of Americans is unquestionably better off as measured by rising incomes and wealth, as this special report has shown. The middle class and poor, not so much. The median household’s income, adjusted for inflation, is down. Interesting, then, that support for President Obama is weakest at the top of the income ladder and strongest at the bottom.

As for “better off”—by what measure? Global warming has continued apace during Obama’s term, so by that important metric we’re all worse off. There’s been no progress on fixing the impending entitlements crisis. America’s schools are falling behind, and its physical infrastructure is crumbling. Meanwhile, U.S. troops are still dying in Afghanistan, albeit far fewer of them. The parade of horribles is long.