In autumn 2008:

— Treasury Secretary Paulson warned of economic collapse and pleaded with Congress for $700 billion.

— Financial giant Lehman Brothers failed; major banks and insurance companies teetered.

— The stock market often plunged 500 points per day.

— We worried: Would local banks fail?

— Housing prices were plummeting.

— Massive layoffs mounted.

— Automobile companies verged on bankruptcy.

— Our war-weary nation fought on two fronts.

— Osama Bin Laden had eluded us for seven years.

— Many sick individuals were denied health insurance because of “pre-existing conditions.”

Are we better off today?

I strongly believe that — as a nation — we are.

Despite continued hardship, the economy is mending. Troops exited Iraq and will leave Afghanistan. Al-Qaida leaders are dead. Vulnerable individuals have protection.

President Barack Obama has led us through very difficult times.

We need to stick with him for another four years.

Nancy Greene, Auburn