While reviewing my 401(k) prospectus today, I just have a hard time
believing W when he says the economy is doing well. I guess, technically
I lost less money during 2004-Q3 than I did this time last year, but
can not get myself to equate "not quite as shitty" with "doing well".

It's probably because I don't subscribe to the necessary assumption of
politics that words don't mean anything at all and the truth is only what
it is perceived to be.