Friday, September 24, 2010

Fact Checking the Pledge to America

"Fact Checking ‘The Pledge’
Republicans' "Pledge to America" falls short on some of its facts.
September 24, 2010

Summary
The Republican “Pledge to America,” released Sept. 23, contains some dubious factual claims:

It declares that “the only parts of the economy expanding are government and our national debt.” Not true. So far this year government employment has declined slightly, while private sector employment has increased by 763,000 jobs.

It says that “jobless claims continue to soar,” when in fact they are down eight percent from their worst levels.

It repeats a bogus assertion that the Internal Revenue Service may need to expand by 16,500 positions, an inflated estimate based on false assumptions and guesswork.

It claims the stimulus bill is costing $1 trillion, considerably more than the $814 billion, 10-year price tag currently estimated by nonpartisan congressional budget experts.

It says Obama’s tax proposals would raise taxes on “roughly half the small business income in America,” an exaggeration. Much of the income the GOP is counting actually comes from big businesses making over $50 million a year."

We really need to check our facts before buying into any of this stuff.

5 comments:

clairz said...

Thank you, Margie. It seems like this is a time when many people are eager to believe whatever is handed to them. I hope they think very carefully before this next election and, as you say, check the facts.

Margie's Musings said...

I doubt they will Clair. Unfortunately few people really check the "facts" they hear. That's why we get unqualified people running for public office on nothing but their looks and unfounded rumors.

Anonymous said...

You are so right Margie. I don't know where they get some of the stuff we hear on t.v. Some of the people running around the country spouting off don't know what they are talking about and would say anything just to get elected. Have a good weekend.

marlu said...

It seems like the opposition just gets more weird with their claims.
(By opposition, I mean those opposed to the administration.)

Too bad there can't be a little more cooperation and meaningful options to consider instead of the hype.

Margie's Musings said...

I think most thinking people feel that way. The Tea Party folks are just listening to the pundits.

I wish they would all just stick with the facts.