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January 2, 2004
Two Thousand And FOUR FOR FRIDAY
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2004?
Q: Do you think 2004 will bring more or less prosperity to the U.S. economy and its average income earning citizen?
Q: Will you be voting in the 2004 U.S. presidential election; and if so, have you already decided who you'll be voting for?
Q: How do you think you're life might be different by New Year's Eve 2004?
Posted by Mikal at January 2, 2004 6:28 AM
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1. Spending time with family and friends that I haven't seen in a while.
2. Despite what some elected officials and talking heads that on appear on the national evening news broadcasts tell us, I do not believe that the leading economic indicators (e.g., manufacturers' shipments, inventories, and orders; new home sales; housing starts; household income; construction spending; etc.) will change either way in 2004. Median household income in 2002 was $42,409, 1.1% lower than in 2001 (after adjusting for 1.6% inflation). For the second consecutive year, our poverty rate rose, from 11.7% in 2001 to 12.1% in 2002. And the number of our fellow citizens officially living in a state of poverty increased, as well, by 1.7 million people, to 34.6 million in 2002. Nothing that I see at this stage suggests to me that any of this will change over the next 12 months. Perhaps if a new President is elected in '04 (under positive circumstances) people will feel optimistically different.
3. While I'm certainly planning on casting a vote for President in 2004, I have not decided yet who I'll be voting for. As I commented the other day on a post on this site, our problems as a country run much deeper than Republican and Democrat. If people could drop their need to be right, along with their desire to make others wrong for who they are and/or what they believe in, this would be a drastically different world. Until we do so, blame -- not cooperation -- will rule our electoral process, and that's not very appealing to me.
4. Only time will tell, but I'm hopeful that my life will be greatly enriched by a variety of new and ongoing relationships. There's a lot of room in my life for family, friends, and even a romantic relationship, should that opportunity present itself. That's a lot to hope for, I know, but by being open to all of it happening, maybe it just will.
1. I am looking forward to growing as an individual and learning new things, seeing family, two new grandchildren, and trying to make changes in my corner of the world.
2. It's hard to say. In the U.S. it seems that there is getting to be a larger disperity between those that have money and those who don't. There are people making millions and spending it foolishly and those who have little to nothing. This is not a good sign.
3. Yes, I will be voting. I know who I would vote for if the election is tomorrow, but my mind is always open to new voices.
4. Aside from two new grandchildren, I have no idea how it might be different. That's the fun of it. One can only hope it will be positive changes.
1. Making it to 2005. I feel that is a worthy goal, simple, but important, at least to me anyway.
2. I think that the economy will just putt along as it is doing now. No quick turn around either up or down. I think we will still be losing jobs in the blue and white-collar sectors with an increase in the service jobs. Especially in the medical service areas and partially in senior health area like assisted living homes ( That is where I am investing my 401K right now. ). I think that in general raises will be very modest ( 0 - 4% ), except if you are making a million dollars or more ( 10 - 25% ) just as it has been in the past years.
3. I will probably vote Democratic because I don?t like Bush?s handling of Civil Rights, the environment, the economy and the war. His civil rights record in setting us back to the 1950?s. His environmental policies turned the keys to the national parks and forests over to the lumber and oil companies. His tax cuts for the upper income levels are really trickling down all right, right into the tip jars at the McJobs counters. His war policies, if you agree that we had to go to war with Iraq or not, the way he handle the war I think was horrible. He was determine to go to war and never had any real plans on how to do it or what had to be done afterwards.
4. I think this year will be pretty much like last year, get up go to work, after work go out with some friends to plays or dinners. Maybe, just maybe, this year I will get up enough courage to start hormones. But, I said that the last couple of years also. The other thing that I am thinking about doing this year is going to Washington on Gender Lobbing Days. I think that would be interesting to do if somehow I can swing the cost of it.
1.2004 Is just another year with a 4 behind 2 zeros instead of a 3. Every year, I look forward to spring and summer. Winter makes me appreciate outside activities(I hate cold weather!). Looking forward means never looking back; at least not living there again... and so I do everyday.
2.I am not sure what the economy will do. It seems fickle. The unemployed are now off most roles that count "the unemployed". Many thousands are still off from work. My hope for the better. I am watching Wall Street for a clue.
3.Yes, I always vote. I have an idea who I will vote for, but things can change and so might my choice.
4.The sure things are my boys will be one year older. I hope to be better off financially, emotionally, volunteering(more) and perhaps even have a significant-peer-other around to laugh, smile and spend time with. I will continue to grow, that is a given.
1. Looking forward to buy Lottery ticket in 2004.
2. Same.
3. Yes/No
4. No difference.
1. Promotion and greater financial stability. I'm also looking forward to getting to know my new truck.
2. I think that the economic recovery is underway, or at least building it's foundation. We still have a long way to go to make up for all the lost jobs. But, we have started to move in a positive direction that I believe should continue. I am, however, concerned that the markets are gaining too quickly, setting us up to reopen our economic wounds.
3. Yes, No
4. I've got an automatic instead of a manual transmission, which will bore me senseless. I'm hoping to begin working a typical work week as the result of my promotion (?soon to come?). I expect that I will begin house shopping in earnest.
1. A banner year for my business.
2. Probably the same. Just as the Revolutionary War got rid of George the Third, this election year will get rid of George the 43rd. "It's the economy, stupid!"
3. Clark for President. www.clark04.com.
4. I'll be preparing to go the General's Inauguration!!!
1. Not really looking forward to anything. I'd like to keep my options open.
2. I don't know.
3. Sorry, can't vote.
4. It probably won't be any different.
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