ARE YOU BETTER OFF TODAY?

Bill Clinton and Bob Dole have different visions for leading America into the 21st century. But before we leap forward with a discussion of their plans, let's take a look at some recent history. Are you better off today than you were four years ago? Last week, the Daily News asked its readers to answer this question. Here are some of their responses.

While your question may refer to my economic well-being, I believe that the question of whether I am better off today applies best to the moral condition of the country. Business today is better than it was four years ago, but my outlook is pretty low for the future of America as a great nation.

Tolerance for violence and depravity, acceptance of deceit as the status quo, and placing great value on perception rather than truth are evidence that America is not one iota better off today.

Are Bill Clinton and his administration directly responsible for creating the climate that makes this possible, or have we simply elected a leader that represents the demoralization of the country?

The days when we looked up to presidents, athletes and educators as our role models and heroes are waning. Today, we tolerate mediocrity and dismiss - even embrace - behavior that used to be called treason, adultery and deceit. (Or is it social conscience, human frailty and creative reality?)

My hope is that we will not allow another four years of liberal agenda to undermine a nation that used to stand for truth and honor as the American way.

- Claudia Ellison Cook

Topanga

Better off after the last four years? Are you kidding?

My wife and I are in our 80s. We have seen our taxes rise like a wave around us - taxes on everything. Are they going to tax the air we breathe next?

They took away our tax credits for interest, a whopping reduction in what we could save by claiming medical deductions and the ceiling of our tax code was raised.

Inflation has robbed us of the real money value that our Social Security should have given us. And what happened to the tax cut?

I foresee something like the French Revolution if something is not done by the powers that be to: (1) reduce interest rates; (2) keep lawyers out of our pockets; and (3) stop continuation of the current policies of only the rich live well and the poor and the middle class (especially) shall pay and pay. I hope that it is not in my time.

I cannot believe that the only tax revolt we have had in this country came in California (soon snuffed out, of course). Where are the voters, anyway?

- H.O. Wang

Palmdale

Yes, I would say I am better off today than I was four years ago, because I am four years older and quite wiser now.

- Julian T. Nguyen

Reseda

We are not better off today because of Clinton's foreign trade. Manufacturers are sending their work to be done in other countries and putting businesses out of work, which then have to go out of business. The garment industry is especially hurting. People are losing their homes as well as their jobs.

Americans are not better off today. We need to unite and buy U.S.-made products only and keep Americans employed.

- Diane Sauer

Glendale

I'm in the same place I was four years ago, but I'm mired in more taxes, union dues and higher prices. With Bob Dole in the White House and a Republican-controlled Congress, I would be better off than I am now.I blame our nation's economic woes on 60 years of liberal-Marxist-socialist rule. Bill Clinton has done more to raise taxes and prices, expand government, and abuse federal powers. I felt better under Ronald Reagan.

- Stephen Russell

Glendale

I am better off today, and it has nothing to with who is president. I'm doing better because I'm working harder. I don't whine or claim victim status for some perceived injustice.

I have a personal goal to achieve for me and my family, and the whims of government are not going to stand in my way. And, four years from now, I will be better off than I am today.

- John Darst

Calabasas

Are we better off today? Absolutely!

Why just go to the market or pay your auto insurance? Sure, we're better of today

We have the privilege to pay more taxes, see our property values continue to decline and experience smaller pay raises.

Yes, we are better off! Our society tolerates and justifies euthanasia and partial-birth abortions. Our moral fiber, which is the strength of a nation, is crumbling.

We all have fears for our children, for their safety with all the violence and drugs so rampant in our society.

Maybe we are not so well off. We elevate to the highest office in the land a person of questionable character, who is morally bankrupt, opportunistic and deceiving, and most people don't care.

No, we are not better off. In fact, we are in deep trouble.

- Nick Blaire

Saugus

Four years ago, the travel company I worked at for four years moved from Van Nuys to Omaha, Neb., to merge with its sister company and cut costs, leaving 36 people unemployed, some of whom had been with the company for 10 to 15 years.

I was out of work for nine months and almost lost my car because I couldn't make the payments. I used up every cent I had in my savings. I defaulted on my school loan, and my mother had to pay my credit card bills. I could only find a part-time job delivering newspapers for $25 a week.

A stroke of luck came when a dear friend offered me a job with an upstart company in Encino. I worked there for 15 months. The company drained all of its accounts in a legal battle and was forced to close when the Federal Trade Commission subpoenaed the owners in connection with a telemarketing fraud probe.

Again out of work, this time for 11 months, I took a part-time job servicing a magazine route. I now work for a marketing company in Canoga Park. My paycheck is taxed 25 percent, and I still have to work the magazine route to make ends meet. Am I better off today?

- Michael Duarte

Sylmar

Am I better off today? Good question, but not very easy to answer. Let's take it in steps.

Financially? Yes, because of an honest and conscientious stockbroker and continued savings on my part. That is probably the only positive factor I can state concerning your question.

Can I breathe better today than four years ago? No way. I'm suffering more with my asthma now than four years ago. And that is still due to the lousy air quality.

Safety on the streets? No way. The surface streets are a nightmare to drive on. Heavy-footed drivers are a menace. I drive around 40 mph, and I'm being passed by 90 percent of the drivers going 50 mph or more.

Food prices? Ha! Even though I'm retired and can still afford to pay a little more for food, I still have seen prices go sky-high on fruit and vegetables.

Schools? That's a laugh. More drugs and less qualified teachers. I worry about the safety of my grandchildren with out-of-control gangs shooting at them.

I think all of this should answer your question on whether we're better off today.

- Earl D. Horwitz

North Hills

Am I better off? I don't think so. Four years ago, I had a job, and I didn't have Big Brother in my back pocket like today. I was able to make phone calls without being told that this call is being monitored under the guise of better services or training, or being asked if I had a push-button phone so as I could play tic-tac-toe pushing buttons. I didn't have to: deal with the stupid authoritative commands from the City Council; have a president who was a habitual liar; or play the odds of getting shot using the ATMs at the bank.

On the brighter side, looking at the number of resumes I sent out and the interviews I've had, being told that I'm way overqualified for the job I'm being interviewed for, or told that I fall into an entry-level position only, and knowing when leaving I had no more of a chance of getting the job than the man in the moon . . .

Am I better off today? Only to the point that I didn't see my name listed in the obituaries this week.

- Benjamin R. Laufer

Sherman Oaks

I am better of today because I know who I am and that I have a great value in the scheme of things. I know what my goals are and that I have genuine love, support and care from my friends and mentors.

I have confidence that, God willing, I can achieve my dreams and help others achieve theirs. Four years ago, I was definitely lost and suffering. Today, I owe my life and happiness to some positive transformational workshops.

I'm voting for Clinton because watching him speak is a pleasure. But Dole is so critical and righteous that he scares me. To have peace on the planet, we need to all commit to peace. It's not about being right; it's about caring and love.

- Marilyn Stein

Piru

This is the happiest time of my life, but not the most lucrative. On Sept. 3, 1993, I retired and took a more than 50 percent decrease in income, which was my choice.

I have been a professional specialist in the medical field for more than 40 years. The last 23 years of work were for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since my retirement, I have been dependent on the Congress and the president for any increases in my income.

During the past session, Congress voted to extend the delay of my cost-of-living increases even though Social Security recipients and retired military personnel will receive increases each Jan. 1.

I am not financially better off than I was four years ago. I am not happy when Jan. 1 rolls around and I don't get the cost of living increase I am entitled to receive.

For this, I blame the conservative Congress that frequently saves not from their own expense accounts but from funds due to civil service employees and retirees.

- Judith F. Klempner

Sherman Oaks

I am not better off today. I used to work in the housing industry and environmental cleanups years ago.

At the time of the last election, housing went virtually bust, and with the ensuing recession, nobody had the money to do their environmental jobs. The entire market dried up with large-scale downsizing at all levels.

Since then, I've been in and out of employment with temporary or short-term job stints - not a good way to support a family. As a result, my marriage broke up, and I'm now struggling to survive as a single dad.

Yes, I am currently working, but not nearly in the same capacity (my income is one-fourth of what it used to be). Despite what the experts say, the economy has never recovered. All the previous unemployed people - due to the widespread downsizing - have just taken lesser jobs out of survival necessity.

And I do blame our current president and vice president for the current condition. With all the other cuts and regulation changes they've made, they have hindered rather than helped my situation.

-Barry Irick

Los Angeles

I am not better off nor worse off than four years ago. Why? My pay increases have been approximately 3 percent a year, and inflation is 3 percent a year. With increased taxation, I am perhaps somewhat behind, but let's just call it a wash.

To look at the picture on a national scale rather than a personal level, I believe we are worse off.

Why? Our foreign policy is a national embarrassment, our president is a laughingstock, our drug policy is nonexistent and now having AIDS or being gay is accepted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service as legitimate criterion for asylum in the United States - all paid for by you know who.

Perhaps the question we should be asking is: Are we better off now than four years ago.

- Steve Sheridan

Sylmar

It all depends on who you are and where you live today. I live in California, where the unemployment is still higher than the national average - all the result of the Clinton peace bonus which caused the downsizing, merging and consolidation of the high-tech and defense industries.

I am not better off and neither are most of the Californians in the 40- to 60-year-old group who still must work. This is still the greatest country in the world, but it can be better with some changes in local, state and federal government.

- James L. Pyle

Woodland Hills

Of course I'm doing better today than I was four years ago. Thank you for asking.

Four years ago, I marked my fifth year as a long-term contract employee - with no benefits - performing secretarial work that I was growing to hate. The following year I would become almost totally unemployable. My color TV was on the blink. My mother told me: ``When you're 50, no one will hire you.''

On Oct. 4, 1994, I accepted a temporary position with the District Attorney's office, transcribing tapes on the O.J. Simpson case and other criminal cases. By June of the following year, I had been hired as a permanent, full-time employee with full benefits.

I love my work. There is no agenda, no politics. You merely record what you actually hear - no guessing and no games.

It would be easy for me to attribute my success solely to my talents or my supervisors' recognition of good work when they see it, but credit should go to the catalyst for these events. I now hold an honest, full-time, responsible position and must thank O.J. Simpson.

- Ken Camp

Los Angeles

Am I better off? No, things do not get better for a person who is 68 and living on Social Security and no other income. I saved for my retirement, and what happens? The interest rates come down so there is no interest on my savings to speak of.

The same goes for all the seniors in my class. Everyone thought the interest on their savings would supplement their Social Security. Also, I pay more for my sewer charge than my low-income discounted water bill! This is just typical of many things.

Seniors cannot expect to get any help from any politicians. They do not want to hear about us.

- Nick C. Weber

Van Nuys

The answer to your question depends on your evaluation criteria. Do I enjoy more leisure time? Yesye. Am I financially better off? A resounding no.

You see, Bill Clinton's anemic economic growth record has had the effect of reducing the amount of work available in my field and has slowed the rate of the pay raises I have received well below those I experienced in the much maligned Reagan '80s.

On the other hand, the sluggishness of the economy, which has stunted my income and shortened my work week, has meant that I have discovered the joys of spending more time in church activities and at home with my dogs.

True, I cannot make the contributions to my church that I once could afford, but I do have substantially more free time to spend there.

Bob Dole's 15 percent across-the-board tax cut will stimulate the economy, giving me both more opportunity and more incentive to work longer hours.

The dogs may miss having me home as much, but the car might actually get paid off before the end of the century - a prospect unlikely under a second Clinton administration.

If you want more free time so you can juggle which bills to pay which month, just keep Clinton in office. On the other hand, if you want to have the opportunity to earn more - and keep more of what you earn - Bob Dole is your man.

- Pat Parker

Los Angeles

Four years ago, I owned a beautiful three-bedroom home in Lake Los Angeles. All of my capital was invested in this home. I planned to sell the house and claim my one-time tax exemption for retirement.

Then the defense industry in the Palmdale area vanished. I could not sell my house, and due to stress-related illness, I lost everything.

I now live in an alley in abject poverty. You tell me who is responsible.

- H.N. Wootan

Venice

Worse off! Mr. Clinton's precedent-setting, retroactive tax may not have affected a high percentage of voters. However, it will. Take a look at Proposition 217 and note its retroactive provision. Only for the wealthy? Stick around.

- Carolyn O. Hawk

Santa Ynez

Definitely not! In 1993, yea Democratic-controlled Congress and President Clinton enacted the largest tax increase in the history of the world.

All those taxes eventually show up in the price of goods made in America, or a reduction in wages (at least, less money available for raises). For me and my wife, it had a direct and immediate (actually retroactive) impact.

How dare Mr. Clinton. After this and the failed attempt to socialize medicine, he wants me to believe he's not for more government and taxes.

He wants to build a bridge to the 21st century by using my money to make more of the same old irresponsible government programs.

- Donald R. Norvell

Sun Valley

No! The government's involvement in our private and personal lives has reached proportions unthinkable if we look at the Constitution we are supposed to be governed by.

Nannyism is the word that applies to the way our daily lives are controlled, all in the name that government knows better what is good for us than we do. Parents have little to say about how to raise their children but are blamed if the children do anything wrong; a divorced parent can lose custody of children because he or she is a smoker; you cannot go into a restaurant, a ballpark, a mall or any public place if you are a smoker.

It would be high time to get government off our backs and let us live the way we did before the Big Brother syndrome.

- Otto J. Mueksch

North Hollywood

Since the Great Depression in America, we are much worse off today than four years ago. It's the economy and character - stupid!

The economy stinks with only a 2.4 percent growth rate, with lower wages for women and men who pay some 40 percent in taxes from their paychecks.

There are massive character problems from ``Slickmeister'' Clinton's administration, probably the most scandalous presidency in history.

With all his inconsistent and unstable behavior, can America survive another four years of Clinton's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde split personality? He is nausyeeating and disgusting with no honor or dignity.

With Bob Dole and Jack Kemp, there will be decisive and positive leadership that will give us all that true vision and inspiration and lead us to that bridge to the future with truth, honor and dignity.

- Gerald G. Vick

Palmdale

President Clinton had barely learned his way around the White House when he clobbered me with a major Social Security tax hike. I am obviously worse off than I was four years ago. And at that time, I was worse off than six years prior, when Reagan started the process.

I haven't failed to vote since I came of age, but I'm awfully fed up with having to choose the lesser evil to cast my ballot. This year I'm going to vote for Ralph Nader. I may never vote Republican or Democrat again.

- Leo Finegold

Thousand Oaks

No. I have spent the last several years trying to build a future for my children. Between my husband and me, we didn't make enough to have a savings, but we could pay our bills and mortgage. Now we don't know what we're going to do.

- Susan Renko

Palmdale

The question you ask isn't the one that needs to be addressed. More importantly, I feel we should be concerned whether we all are better off and why or why not.

- Babu Patel

Canyon Country

We have entered a new era - a worldwide capitalistic, electronic era - and I am out of the loop. Where is that employer who needs me and pays a living wage?

Mr. ``Cut-to-the-bare-bones'' Bob Dole can't find me a job. Neither can President Clinton, although he is easing us through the transition into the worldwide economy more gently. To be better off, I must retrain myself for current job openings.

Clearly, I intend to vote for Clinton, because his policies are more likely to help me survive.

However, right now I must go read the Sunday classifieds and continue my search for the job.

- Meliss Appel

Santa Paula

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--Color) Bob Dole

(2--Color) Bill Clinton