Some results of a new Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Zogby poll of Georgia residents.

Just 31 percent of Georgians said they are better off now than they were a year ago, according to the AJC/Zogby poll. About 44 percent said there has been no change, while about 24 percent said their finances have worsened.

One in five Georgians said they have more discretionary income than they had a year ago. Four in 10 said they have less, and nearly an equal number said they noticed no change.

Those self-evaluations conflict with the common assumption that this year's tax cut has padded American wallets.

...Added cash is supposed to mean more consumer spending, which ought to mean higher profits for companies that would, in turn, be more likely to hire more workers.

If the poll respondents are right, the effect is modest -- or maybe nonexistent.

Just 24 percent said they are spending more now than they were a year ago. About 31 percent said they are spending less, and 45 percent said their spending has not changed.

Economic mission not accomplished.