There is no one number that sums up how the economy has improved under Obama. But there is some simplifying language that folks tend to understand. One of these shorthands is their retirement portfolios. Million upon millions of middle class, lower class, and upper class had their 401ks and IRAs and other investments wiped out by the Bush Administration. Folks who had hoped to retire suddenly didn't really have that money. While the stock market seems to be the playground of the rich, it is actually the playground of the 99% just trying to scrape a little bit of that equity for themselves. The super-wealthy can survive losing half their wealth in the stock market because they still have millions and millions. But for many of us it can mean the difference between retiring at 62 and not retiring at all.
So it cannot be understated how much things have improved under Obama, and yes these numbers are not the full story, but they should represent to real folks why they are better off. If they don't believe this tell them to go look at their 401k statements and ask them how awful Obama has been for them.
I realize a lot of this growth is due to record profits that has not funneled down to jobs and wages. But these tables are not meant to say "Whoo-hoo...Golden Age" but it is to try and try and address the narrative that things are worse than they were. They aren't things are a helluva a lot better, but there is still a ways to go and the best way to get there is by electing Democrats.
NASDAQ Average on Inauguration Day
Administration |
Year |
Value |
4 Year Percent Change |
Pres Term Percent Change |
|
1981 |
247 |
|
|
Reagan |
1985 |
263 |
6.5% |
|
Reagan |
1989 |
391 |
48.7 |
58.3% |
Bush I |
1993 |
697 |
78.3% |
78.3% |
Clinton |
1997 |
1349 |
93.5% |
|
Clinton |
2001 |
2770 |
105.3% |
297.4% |
Bush II |
2005 |
2074 |
-25.1% |
|
Bush II |
2009 |
1441 |
-30.5% |
-48.0% |
Obama |
Aug. 31, 2012 |
3067 |
112.8% |
112.8% |
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S&P 500 Average on Inauguration Day
Administration |
Year |
Value |
4 Year Percent Change |
Pres Term Percent Change |
|
1981 |
134 |
|
|
Reagan |
1985 |
171 |
27.6% |
|
Reagan |
1989 |
287 |
67.8 |
114.2% |
Bush I |
1993 |
435 |
51.6% |
51.6% |
Clinton |
1997 |
776 |
78.4% |
|
Clinton |
2001 |
1343 |
73.1% |
208.7% |
Bush II |
2005 |
1184 |
-11.8% |
|
Bush II |
2009 |
805 |
-32.0% |
-40.1% |
Obama |
Aug. 31, 2012 |
1407 |
74.8% |
74.8% |
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Dow Jones Industrail Average on Inauguration Day
Administration |
Year |
Value |
4 Year Percent Change |
Pres Term Percent Change |
|
1981 |
971 |
|
|
Reagan |
1985 |
1227 |
26.4% |
|
Reagan |
1989 |
1920 |
56.5% |
97.7% |
Bush I |
1993 |
3256 |
69.6% |
69.6% |
Clinton |
1997 |
6833 |
109.9% |
|
Clinton |
2001 |
10588 |
55.0% |
225.2% |
Bush II |
2005 |
10540 |
-0.5% |
|
Bush II |
2009 |
7949 |
-24.6% |
-24.9% |
Obama |
Aug. 31, 2012 |
13090 |
64.7% |
64.7% |
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