Who else thinks their personal financial situation is not in line with the country as a whole?

[Anonymous]

I think most people would say they are worse off than they were four years ago, but I have a lot more money than I did then.

[normalice]

In polling, something like 80% of the population believes their personal situation is better than it was four years ago but also believes everyone else is doing worse. Obviously both can't be true and it is ultimately the media that is responsible for making sure people's impressions of reality match reality.

Unfortunately, since the Citizens United ruling, right wing billionaires have increased their influence over the media by orders of magnitude - that's what they bought the ruling for, after all. So, it's they who are behind this because they don't want an economy where everyone is gaining status - they want another great depression with them on top. Also unfortunately, because the media delivers this misinformation in a way that provides validation for the persecution complex of those who want more attention than they are getting, it will be just as easy for the opposite situation to occur - for most people to believe their personal situation is awful but also believe things are fine for everyone else. That's the future billionaires want - to have all the money while we peasants angrily tell each other we are fine. And questions like this give me no doubt they will get it..

[gatixek710]

You're spending more for products regardless of whether you've made personal improvements in your net worth.

[jennifer_bloom]

I don't discuss my friend's money with them but some of my friends are less generous this year than they were in previous years. I have a few running theories on why they are less generous but only they know the real reason.

[KostasKouvalis]

I do too, honestly. The recession hasn't really effected me

[Walksbehindtherows]

Which country are you talking about?