Are You Better off Than You Were Four Years Ago?

The 2012 election is the first Tuesday of November and we're into the final campaign stretch. With the Republican National Convention set to start in Tampa today, or when Isaac lets it, and the Democratic National Convention to follow in North Carolina, things are about to get really intense. The big question being asked is, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

The answer to this depends on who you are or who you listen to. Those supporting the Democratic ticket are trying everything to let you know you really are better off than you were when former President George Bush was in office. Conversely, if you listen to anyone hoping to change presidents in November, you're being told just how bad off you are now, almost four years later.

But you really know.

So our question is, ignoring all the chatter on both sides of this issue, do you believe that you are better off now than you were four years ago?  Also, is this answer based strictly on economic conditions or does personal happiness come into play as well? And finally, how big an influence does the answer to this question play in how you will vote in November?