State of the Union: Are You Better Off Than You Were Two Years Ago?

As you listened to President Obama’s speech, you may have asked yourself : Am I better off than I was two years ago?

• If you an investor, the answer was likely to be “Yes."
Stocks, +48%
Corporate profits, +44%
Consumer confidence, +40%

• If you are a wage earner, the answer was likely “Not so hot.”

Trade deficit,+6%
Disposable income, +5%
Median weekly earnings, -0.6%
Median house price, -0.5%

• If you are unemployed and concerned about the state of the nation, the answer was likely a resounding “No.”

Unemployment rate, +20.5%
National debt, +32%
Gas prices, +69%
Long term joblessness, +139.5%

Source: John Merline, AOL Opinion Editor