bobquasit | We're better off now, economically?

I wrote this in as a comment to a question over on Askille which suggested that the economy was really better now than it was fifteen years ago, because we have faster computers, better internet connections, and more texting options on our phones - among other things.

A slower internet connection and computer fifteen years ago means that our economy is better now?

That's pretty disingenuous. EVERYBODY had slower computers and internet connections fifteen years ago! The same goes for texting.

The fact is that technology advanced...but that's what technology does, and you can't credit that to politicians. If that's what you're trying to do.

The real measure of the state of the economy for the individual is the amount of personal debt, plus the ratio of expenses to income. And by that reckoning, most of us are in big trouble.

If you're trying to say that Americans are whiners who should be happy because of all their new-technology toys, well, I don't agree with you. A faster computer and a broadband connection doesn't make up for the economic security we've lost over the past seven years. And that's not even factoring in the $700 billion we're all about to be tapped for...and the many other, even larger bailouts that will almost certainly be carried out in the months and years to come.

This is the worst economy since the Great Depression, and it almost certainly hasn't hit bottom yet. Virtually every economist agrees that we're in enormous trouble. And you're arguing that we should feel better because our cell phones have new texting options?

It's an interesting line of argument. Good luck with it.