The better question to ask is: Are "you" better off today then 8 years ago.
Very difficult sometimes to look around and see if things are better or worse in general then 8 years ago.
But real easy to answer for yourself if "you" are better off today then you were 8 years ago.
Anyone who thinks like this is part of the problem.
Get out of your little head and look at the big picture.
Race relations are at a frightening pitch.
If cops continue to get massacred and they are somehow not accorded "extra rights" like soldiers have in war, you will soon see a completely lawless society in the inner cities. What does that mean to the rest of us? I don't know but we need to think about that. It won't be good.
What if the rebels burn the major cities down? May not affect you directly but you can be sure that many, many innocent people will suffer as a result.
What if the far reach of ISIS or open borders or improperly vetted refugees find their way to blowing up a couple of offshore oil rigs, or refineries. The price of gas would skyrocket, crippling industries and individuals who rely on gas for transportation or heating fuel.
What if they took down a few key power grids or took out several key bridges. Think about the far reaching ramifications and hardships.
How about Obamacare? They are proud that they signed up all the non-contributors while the working man gets squeezed to near breaking in many cases.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
No matter how well you are doing individually if the society collapses around you, you will be F*kd with the rest of America. And the "society" is much worse off than eight years ago. Much worse.