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Nearly 30 years ago, Ronald Reagan famously asked Americans, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" More than 60 NYCity News Service reporters fanned out through the city in the days before the historic Nov. 4 election to ask New Yorkers:
"Where do you want this country to be four years from now?"

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2008 Election

Sharnada Griffin

Age: 21
Neighborhood: Central Harlem
Occupation: Student
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“For the whole country over all, I want peace. I don’t want to be at war anymore, its ridiculous.”

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Fred Abramowitz

Age: 56
Neighborhood: Fort Collins, Colorado
Occupation: Lawyer
First Time Voter: No
Party Affiliation: Democrat

“I’d like it to be a welcoming country.”

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Adam Clark-Valle

Age: 25
Neighborhood: West Harlem
Occupation: Bartender
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I would like to see this country on the path to being out of both wars.”

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Matthew Young

Age: 33
Neighborhood: Ditmas Park
Occupation: Artist and DJ
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I’d like to see the country looking towards economic models that are sustainable.”

Mario Mercado

Age: 55
Neighborhood: West Harlem
Occupation: Scenic Artist
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“This country should be in a much more liberal state.”

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Wendy Julien

Age: 45
Neighborhood: Midwood
Occupation: Receptionist
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I’d like to see unity. Right now I think America is still divided. Not as much, but it is still.” 

Selma Al-Radi

Age: 69
Neighborhood: West Harlem
Occupation: Retired Archaeologist
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: None

“I’d like to see this country better than it is now, I hope.”

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JoAnn Ross

Age: 37
Neighborhood: West Harlem
Occupation: Writer
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I’d like to see a more socially conscious society.”

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Robert Varin

Age: 80
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Occupation: Retired
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I would like us to get out of this morass that we’re in right now.”

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Hyman Balis

Age: 25
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Occupation: Volunteer
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“People will work, be able to make it. Things will turn around for the better.”

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