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Survey: Connecticut's Recession Worse Than Rest of Country

A survey of the state's economic outlook found that residents here view their financial conditions along party and racial lines.

 

Connecticut residents say they have fared worse in the recession than the rest of the country, but a majority of them still feel they’re better off today than they were four years ago, a new poll by the University of Connecticut and the Hartford Courant shows.

Just how folks in Connecticut view their economic circumstances is partly framed by their political affiliations, the poll indicates.

“While 42 percent of likely voters say they’re worse off today than four year ago, and 35 percent say they’re better off, those perceptions differ sharply among those who identify with either major political party,” according to the blog UConn Today.  “While 62 percent of Democrats say they’re better off today, just 9 percent of Republicans feel the same way.”

More than half of the voters surveyed said they’ve changed how they shop for groceries, and nearly a quarter reported having to sell something valuable to make ends meet during the downturn, the Hartford Courant reports.

Overall, the poll of 517 likely voters, taken this month, shows a bleaker economic picture in Connecticut than the rest of the country, the Courant says.

And our interpretation of how we’ve fared in the recession has split not only along political lines, but along racial lines as well.

“The poll found that 78 percent of African-American likely voters say they’re better off today than four years ago, while only 26 percent of white voters said the same. And while 45 percent of likely voters who attend religious services once a week or more say they’re worse off today, just 31 percent of voters who never attend religious services have the same impression,” UConn Today reported.

A study produced by the University of Connecticut reports that Connecticut's recovery will be slow and that all lost jobs might not be receoved by 2018.

MAC September 28, 2012 at 07:20 pm
Dems tend to DEPEND more on gov't to be their DADDY and like BIG government, as opposed to Republicans who believe in Personal Responsibility, so these results are not totally surprising from a terribly 'blue' state.
It is shocking that “The poll found that 78 percent of African-American likely voters say they’re better off today than four years ago, while only 26 percent of white voters said the same." Since the black unemployment rate is about double that of the entire population in the nation--this has to be false optimism. It is "false optimism" which may be explained if those CT African-Americans are part of the additional new 15 MILLION new food stamp recipients, or new beneficiaries of other welfare programs, or are possibly now receiving Disability income, which has also skyrocketed since Obama became president. That also may be explained by ignorance of the actual facts of the dire state of the economy, by people who voted for Obama because he is black (half) and they vote based on those emotional reasons. As for the last part, "while 45 percent of likely voters who attend religious services once a week or more say they’re worse off today, just 31 percent of voters who never attend religious services have the same impression,” that is not surprising. The Dem party is definitely more the party of atheists and those who believe in BIG government ^instead^ of GOD.
K. Turtle September 28, 2012 at 08:29 pm
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" this is the motto of the current administration & is why this country is in such dire straits. Those that say they are better off than they were 4 years ago are either really wealthy & aren't greatly affected by the declining economy and over taxation OR they are living off government programs. (Free phones from Obama!) Those of us that are NOT doing as well are the ones pinching every penny just to get by because the government, federal & local, are taking more & more from us to give to those that don't pay into the system. I am self employed & have never been without work until now. It’s been a year. I know there are many out there like me & we don't count in the unemployment numbers. Even though I have paid the government all my working life, I can't collect anything because my spouse brings home too much to qualify & let me tell you, it doesn’t take much to not qualify. We have always lived within our means but when your house hold income is cut by 2/3 it becomes a game of survival. If we have another four years of this, business owners will be cutting back even more due to over taxation. The WORKING middle class will no longer be working.. Less revenue will be collected & the government won’t have any money to put into government programs & no one will have help. NO, I am not better off than I was four years ago & I’m praying to GOD we have a changing of the guard at The White House.
Ed September 28, 2012 at 08:44 pm
Really? Better? I wonder how many of these people have lost their jobs due to budget cuts by companies...I lost my job recently due to these types of cuts...
What a bunch of party-loyal idiots.
K. Turtle September 28, 2012 at 08:53 pm
MAC, your response is very eloquently written. It is very nice to read responses from people that have the same views as I. It can be very lonely in this state when you’re not a Democrat.
John Izzo September 28, 2012 at 08:56 pm
what kind of poll is this....517 people.......!?? I had more than that at my wedding half of them I didn't like, I'm sure they felt the same way

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