THE POLLSTERS ARE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION

by Joe Plemon 

In an election year we expect the pollsters to be asking questions, but I need to vent on the one I heard last week: “Are you better off financially now than you were four years ago?”

            The obvious inference is that whoever has been in office has something to do with my personal finances.  If I think I am better off, then the president has done a good job.  If I believe I am worse off, then the president has let me down.  One party will use the results of the poll to try to convince us that we either need to stay the course or change. 

            My contention is that those who are smart with money will do well regardless of the administration and those who are foolish will struggle no matter who is in power.  Furthermore, such questions tend to feed the victim mentality, shifting blame instead of accepting responsibility.  The reality is that if you had an emergency and you had failed to save an emergency fund, it is your fault.  If you are retirement age and you haven’t planned for retirement there is no one to blame except yourself.  If you had an expensive hospitalization and did not have health insurance, you are responsible. 

            Your financial success doesn’t depend on anyone other than yourself.  It is up to you and you alone to leave the cave, kill something and drag it home.  Your success is based on your work ethic, your character, your integrity and your willingness to read and study and learn about money and life.  No one, including the president, is going to do that for you.