Arrell asked "Is America better off than it was", and not "are Americans better off?" There's a difference between the status of the country and the economic status of its citizens.

If you think that the respect of the rest of the world has a material impact on our national fortunes--prospects for cooperation and agreement with our national goals and self-interest--then America is certainly not as well off as it was eight years ago.

The cost of paying--or more accurately, borrowing to pay--for Bush's foolish war in Iraq is wreaking havoc on the finances of the Federal government--pricetag now estimated at three $trillion--which is to say that America's finances are on the ropes.

America's military is pretty bruised and battered after six years of misuse by Bush and his fellow geniuses Rumsfield and Cheney. Troops need rest, equipment needs maintenance and replacement, and the majority of the combat-ready personnel are pinned down doing occupation duty in Iraq.

Is America better off than it was 8 years ago? Hell no it's not. It's why Americans are gnashing at the bit to see a change in government in Washington.