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Common Wisdom
Author: BobR
Date: 08/04/2010 12:41:04
I am sure every one has received them - the angry email spouting something that seems like it could be true. It lists off "facts", and urges you to pass the information along to everyone you know (usually a quick trip to Snopes.com will provide truth and context). It is in fact, a chain letter, something I am old enough to remember getting in the actual mail. The most recent one I got made claims about Congress not paying into Social Security, and getting the same pay for life, even if they only serve on term. Of course, none of that is true.
However, chain letters aren't the only places where bad information is spread, masquerading as truth. It happens all the time in Congress and in the media. Here are some examples of "common wisdom" that aren't:
The Bush tax cuts will stimulate the economy: Actually, extending them is a very poor way to stimulate the economy:
Allowing the high-income tax cuts to expire would hurt small businesses: From the same article:
President Obama has broken most of his campaign promises: In truth, he has kept 6x as many as he has broken. Most of the promises are "in the works" or being held up by Congress:
Illegal immigrants can get educational assistance: certain legal immigrants and guest properly documented guests can, but not those here illegally. There are plenty of other mis-truths that circulate about immigrants as well.
The Bush years were good to "average Joes", financially: Does anyone seriously believe that? Look at these charts and tell me the Bush years were good to the middle class. Of course, things have been trending that way for a while, but Bush made things worse, not better.
President Obama has done nothing to help the economy: No, the economy has not rebounded as quickly nor as completely as we would all like. Had he done nothing, though, it could have been much worse. However, it HAS rebounded as Wall Street activity would indicate, not to mention jobs increases:
Republicans are better at budgets and/or managing spending than Democrats: Of course that's not true. The only president in recent history to actually spend less than the taxes taken in was President Clinton. When Bush took over the presidency, he called it stealing from the taxpayers and vowed to reverse it. Boy, did he ever. His tenure saw a budget busting set of tax cuts, combined with a spending increases that were more than the six presidents preceding him:
So the next time some email arrives or some politician pontificates, or some pundit's prolixity is full of "truthiness", one should always pause and seek out the truth from other venues, especially when it's something that you want to believe. Common wisdom seldom is.
However, chain letters aren't the only places where bad information is spread, masquerading as truth. It happens all the time in Congress and in the media. Here are some examples of "common wisdom" that aren't:
The Bush tax cuts will stimulate the economy: Actually, extending them is a very poor way to stimulate the economy:
The government could more effectively stimulate the economy by letting the high-income tax cuts expire and using the money for aid to the states, extensions of unemployment insurance benefits and tax credits favoring job creation. Dollar for dollar, each of these measures would have about three times the impact on GDP as continuing the Bush tax cuts.
Allowing the high-income tax cuts to expire would hurt small businesses: From the same article:
Less than 2 percent of tax returns reporting small-business income are filed by taxpayers in the top two income brackets -- individuals earning more than about $170,000 a year and families earning more than about $210,000 a year.
And just as most small businesses aren't owned by people in the top income brackets, most people in the top income brackets don't rely mainly on small-business income
President Obama has broken most of his campaign promises: In truth, he has kept 6x as many as he has broken. Most of the promises are "in the works" or being held up by Congress:
Promises Kept: 120
Compromise: 38
Broken: 20
Stalled: 81
In the Works: 243
Illegal immigrants can get educational assistance: certain legal immigrants and guest properly documented guests can, but not those here illegally. There are plenty of other mis-truths that circulate about immigrants as well.
The Bush years were good to "average Joes", financially: Does anyone seriously believe that? Look at these charts and tell me the Bush years were good to the middle class. Of course, things have been trending that way for a while, but Bush made things worse, not better.
President Obama has done nothing to help the economy: No, the economy has not rebounded as quickly nor as completely as we would all like. Had he done nothing, though, it could have been much worse. However, it HAS rebounded as Wall Street activity would indicate, not to mention jobs increases:
Republicans are better at budgets and/or managing spending than Democrats: Of course that's not true. The only president in recent history to actually spend less than the taxes taken in was President Clinton. When Bush took over the presidency, he called it stealing from the taxpayers and vowed to reverse it. Boy, did he ever. His tenure saw a budget busting set of tax cuts, combined with a spending increases that were more than the six presidents preceding him:
During his eight years in office, President Bush oversaw a large increase in government spending. In fact, President Bush increased government spending more than any of the six presidents preceding him, including LBJ. In his last term in office, President Bush increased discretionary outlays by an estimated 48.6 percent.
During his eight years in office, President Bush spent almost twice as much as his predecessor, President Clinton. Adjusted for inflation, in eight years, President Clinton increased the federal budget by 11 percent. In eight years, President Bush increased it by a whopping 104 percent.
So the next time some email arrives or some politician pontificates, or some pundit's prolixity is full of "truthiness", one should always pause and seek out the truth from other venues, especially when it's something that you want to believe. Common wisdom seldom is.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 08/04/2010 13:45:12
Raine on 08/04/2010 13:45:12
What frustrates me is when presented with this information, there are STILL people who refuse to believe it.
I read this article from David Corn today, and it really sent chills down my spine. It's an account from Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.) who was an incumbent ousted in the primaries. He tells of the mindset not only of the tea partiers, but also how the GOP is reacting to them. This guy is a super conservative.
I read this article from David Corn today, and it really sent chills down my spine. It's an account from Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.) who was an incumbent ousted in the primaries. He tells of the mindset not only of the tea partiers, but also how the GOP is reacting to them. This guy is a super conservative.
During his primary campaign, Inglis repeatedly encountered enraged conservatives whom he couldn't -- or wouldn't -- satisfy. Shortly before the runoff primary election, Inglis met with about a dozen tea party activists at the modest ranch-style home of one of them. Here's what took place:
I sat down, and they said on the back of your Social Security card, there's a number. That number indicates the bank that bought you when you were born based on a projection of your life's earnings, and you are collateral. We are all collateral for the banks. I have this look like, "What the heck are you talking about?" I'm trying to hide that look and look clueless. I figured clueless was better than argumentative. So they said, "You don't know this?! You are a member of Congress, and you don't know this?!" And I said, "Please forgive me. I'm just ignorant of these things." And then of course, it turned into something about the Federal Reserve and the Bilderbergers and all that stuff. And now you have the feeling of anti-Semitism here coming in, mixing in. Wow.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 08/04/2010 13:46:36
wickedpam on 08/04/2010 13:46:36
Morning 
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 13:56:43
Raine on 08/04/2010 13:56:43
Sorry we are not all equal, yet. We are still STRIVING for equality.
That is a false frame for debate. It assumes that equality has been achieved, when it has not.
That is a false frame for debate. It assumes that equality has been achieved, when it has not.
Comment by 
TriSec on 08/04/2010 13:57:16
TriSec on 08/04/2010 13:57:16
Morning, comrades! (or, as we say in Libland, MA...fuck the GOP!)
Good one this morning, I'm going to have to remember to post it to FB when I get home tonight for all my wingnut friends.
Remember that old campaign-era map showing the Coastes merged with Canada, and the rest of the country named "Jesusland"? Maybe it's time to do that. Never mind racial barriers, maybe people need to show "proof of IQ" and have a signed affidavit that they don't watch Fox prior to voting.
Good one this morning, I'm going to have to remember to post it to FB when I get home tonight for all my wingnut friends.
Remember that old campaign-era map showing the Coastes merged with Canada, and the rest of the country named "Jesusland"? Maybe it's time to do that. Never mind racial barriers, maybe people need to show "proof of IQ" and have a signed affidavit that they don't watch Fox prior to voting.
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 13:57:49
Raine on 08/04/2010 13:57:49
oh no... is he really trying to justify the use of the monkey image? 
Comment by TriSec on 08/04/2010 14:08:21
TriSec on 08/04/2010 14:08:21
I'm hearing the "static kill" was succesful (via the BBC.) So can we move on to the "corporate kill" now?
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 14:09:08
Raine on 08/04/2010 14:09:08
Funny, Bobby Jindal is an Anchor baby... Just sayin'....
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 14:10:20
Raine on 08/04/2010 14:10:20
Man escapes biting beaver from Cumming in Georgia...
Comment by TriSec on 08/04/2010 14:13:24
TriSec on 08/04/2010 14:13:24
Say, DC folks.....are the laws of math reversed inside the beltway?
If I spend more than I make, I fall behind. If I make more than I spend, I get ahead.
Why doesn't that seem to work on a national scale?
If I spend more than I make, I fall behind. If I make more than I spend, I get ahead.
Why doesn't that seem to work on a national scale?
Comment by TriSec on 08/04/2010 14:15:24
Well, if they make it retroactive and strip Michelle Malkin's citizenship too, I'd be the first to sign up to support the repeal.
TriSec on 08/04/2010 14:15:24
Quote by Raine:
Funny, Bobby Jindal is an Anchor baby... Just sayin'....
Well, if they make it retroactive and strip Michelle Malkin's citizenship too, I'd be the first to sign up to support the repeal.
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 14:37:53
Raine on 08/04/2010 14:37:53
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 14:42:17
Raine on 08/04/2010 14:42:17
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 15:00:28
Raine on 08/04/2010 15:00:28
I am afraid that this august recess is going to turn into teabaggers yelling and screaming at town halls again. Last year was just ugly, and I really hope it doesn't happen again.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:03:43
wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:03:43
Isn't that beck thing supposed to be in DC this Aug?
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 15:10:44
Raine on 08/04/2010 15:10:44
What is Michael Steele thinking?
I am fairly sure this is illegal.
“As you know, the November election is just 103 days away and the Chairman would like to extend to you an invitation to sit down either at the RNC or at your embassy to discuss the upcoming 2010 midterm elections,” wrote Christopher Kelleher, a finance department intern. “With literally hundreds of congressional seats up for grabs in just under four months, Chairman Steel [sic] would love to have the opportunity to discuss the Party's outlook with you.”
RNC spokesman Doug Heye declined to comment on why Steele would want to set up individual meetings with the foreign diplomats, whether he’s had any meetings with them, and if he would continue to pursue such get-togethers.
I am fairly sure this is illegal.
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 15:12:05
August 28.
I am still not sure if the event secured the proper permits.
Raine on 08/04/2010 15:12:05
Quote by wickedpam:
Isn't that beck thing supposed to be in DC this Aug?
I am still not sure if the event secured the proper permits.
Comment by 
m-hadley on 08/04/2010 15:12:07
m-hadley on 08/04/2010 15:12:07
Morning 4Fers!
I know I haven't checked in in here in a while, but I saw the link to today's column on FB and thought I would stop by and say hey! Excellent post this morning, BobR!
I just wish that we could get the word out to folks who are planning on voting this November that there is absolutely NO REASON to go back to the failed policies of the past... I'm just saying :)
Cheers,
mfaye
I know I haven't checked in in here in a while, but I saw the link to today's column on FB and thought I would stop by and say hey! Excellent post this morning, BobR!
I just wish that we could get the word out to folks who are planning on voting this November that there is absolutely NO REASON to go back to the failed policies of the past... I'm just saying :)
Cheers,
mfaye
Comment by m-hadley on 08/04/2010 15:13:15
I bet that they haven't - "They don't need no stinkin' permits." :)
m-hadley on 08/04/2010 15:13:15
Quote by Raine:August 28.Quote by wickedpam:
Isn't that beck thing supposed to be in DC this Aug?
I am still not sure if the event secured the proper permits.
I bet that they haven't - "They don't need no stinkin' permits." :)
Comment by wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:15:32
hhmmm maybe a little sight seeing on the 28th? Its a saturday and all
wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:15:32
Quote by m-hadley:Quote by Raine:August 28.Quote by wickedpam:
Isn't that beck thing supposed to be in DC this Aug?
I am still not sure if the event secured the proper permits.
I bet that they haven't - "They don't need no stinkin' permits." :)
hhmmm maybe a little sight seeing on the 28th? Its a saturday and all
Comment by 
BobR on 08/04/2010 15:18:28
Faye!!
BobR on 08/04/2010 15:18:28
Quote by m-hadley:
Morning 4Fers!
I know I haven't checked in in here in a while, but I saw the link to today's column on FB and thought I would stop by and say hey! Excellent post this morning, BobR!
I just wish that we could get the word out to folks who are planning on voting this November that there is absolutely NO REASON to go back to the failed policies of the past... I'm just saying :)
Cheers,
mfaye
Faye!!
Comment by BobR on 08/04/2010 15:20:26
"Here we see a flock of Retardus Redneckticus outside of their native habitat. See how they bunch together for safety..."
BobR on 08/04/2010 15:20:26
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by m-hadley:Quote by Raine:August 28.Quote by wickedpam:
Isn't that beck thing supposed to be in DC this Aug?
I am still not sure if the event secured the proper permits.
I bet that they haven't - "They don't need no stinkin' permits." :)
hhmmm maybe a little sight seeing on the 28th? Its a saturday and all
"Here we see a flock of Retardus Redneckticus outside of their native habitat. See how they bunch together for safety..."
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 15:24:37
So nice to see you round these parts Faye!
And that is the simple meme that the Dems need to drive home. Their policies have FAILED.
We have had GDP growth for 4 quarters now.
There is a recovery, things are working -- slowly, but they are getting better.
Raine on 08/04/2010 15:24:37
Quote by m-hadley:
Morning 4Fers!
I know I haven't checked in in here in a while, but I saw the link to today's column on FB and thought I would stop by and say hey! Excellent post this morning, BobR!
I just wish that we could get the word out to folks who are planning on voting this November that there is absolutely NO REASON to go back to the failed policies of the past... I'm just saying :)
Cheers,
mfaye
So nice to see you round these parts Faye! And that is the simple meme that the Dems need to drive home. Their policies have FAILED.
We have had GDP growth for 4 quarters now.
There is a recovery, things are working -- slowly, but they are getting better.
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 15:28:15
Raine on 08/04/2010 15:28:15
Did anyone see Rachel's interview of the Fife and Drum players last night? It was a really brilliant interview.
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 15:31:06
Here is the interview. Don't let the nuance of her questioning get lost.
Raine on 08/04/2010 15:31:06
Quote by Raine:
Did anyone see Rachel's interview of the Fife and Drum players last night? It was a really brilliant interview.
Here is the interview. Don't let the nuance of her questioning get lost.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:36:18
wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:36:18
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by m-hadley:Quote by Raine:August 28.Quote by wickedpam:
Isn't that beck thing supposed to be in DC this Aug?
I am still not sure if the event secured the proper permits.
I bet that they haven't - "They don't need no stinkin' permits." :)
hhmmm maybe a little sight seeing on the 28th? Its a saturday and all
"Here we see a flock of Retardus Redneckticus outside of their native habitat. See how they bunch together for safety..."
Comment by wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:47:50
wickedpam on 08/04/2010 15:47:50
Comment by TriSec on 08/04/2010 15:59:53
TriSec on 08/04/2010 15:59:53
I heard the interview on the podcast.
Ya know, I really do hope they get back together and start playing again. But I bet the concept of moderated compromise will still elude them.
Remember when government used to work that way?
(and I'm always glad to see "the opposition" whenever they rarely show up on TRMS. She always treats them with decorum and respect...in marked contrast to other broadcast outlets.)
Ya know, I really do hope they get back together and start playing again. But I bet the concept of moderated compromise will still elude them.
Remember when government used to work that way?
(and I'm always glad to see "the opposition" whenever they rarely show up on TRMS. She always treats them with decorum and respect...in marked contrast to other broadcast outlets.)
Comment by 
livingonli on 08/04/2010 15:59:59
livingonli on 08/04/2010 15:59:59
Good day everyone.
Nothing like late night watching the Nationals lose to the D-backs. At least the game went quick and for the daytime repeat we had to run almost 30 minutes of ESPNews as filler.
Nothing like late night watching the Nationals lose to the D-backs. At least the game went quick and for the daytime repeat we had to run almost 30 minutes of ESPNews as filler.
Comment by livingonli on 08/04/2010 16:06:38
See them waddling off to the sunset when confronted by people with opposing views who expose what they say as bullshit.
livingonli on 08/04/2010 16:06:38
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by m-hadley:Quote by Raine:August 28.Quote by wickedpam:
Isn't that beck thing supposed to be in DC this Aug?
I am still not sure if the event secured the proper permits.
I bet that they haven't - "They don't need no stinkin' permits." :)
hhmmm maybe a little sight seeing on the 28th? Its a saturday and all
"Here we see a flock of Retardus Redneckticus outside of their native habitat. See how they bunch together for safety..."
See them waddling off to the sunset when confronted by people with opposing views who expose what they say as bullshit.
Comment by livingonli on 08/04/2010 16:08:16
Second!
livingonli on 08/04/2010 16:08:16
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Raine:
Funny, Bobby Jindal is an Anchor baby... Just sayin'....
Well, if they make it retroactive and strip Michelle Malkin's citizenship too, I'd be the first to sign up to support the repeal.
Second!
Comment by BobR on 08/04/2010 16:35:39
BobR on 08/04/2010 16:35:39
btw - Happy Birthday Mr. President!! 
Comment by TriSec on 08/04/2010 16:48:11
TriSec on 08/04/2010 16:48:11
Mmmm...in addition to the President, it *may* be Satchmo's birthday today, too.
Nobody is really sure about that one, and even Louis himself perpetuated the myth that he was born on July 4.
Nobody is really sure about that one, and even Louis himself perpetuated the myth that he was born on July 4.
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 16:48:12
Tonite, a Very Special Glenn Beck:
How do we REALLY know it's the president's birthday???
Raine on 08/04/2010 16:48:12
Quote by BobR:
btw - Happy Birthday Mr. President!!
Tonite, a Very Special Glenn Beck:
How do we REALLY know it's the president's birthday???
Comment by livingonli on 08/04/2010 16:53:20
Rush Limpballs is already embracing the full-on birther crap claiming how do we know today's his birthday. Just go suck more Oxycontin, pig boy.
livingonli on 08/04/2010 16:53:20
Quote by Raine:Quote by BobR:
btw - Happy Birthday Mr. President!!
Tonite, a Very Special Glenn Beck:
How do we REALLY know it's the president's birthday???
Rush Limpballs is already embracing the full-on birther crap claiming how do we know today's his birthday. Just go suck more Oxycontin, pig boy.
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 17:22:40
Raine on 08/04/2010 17:22:40
Time for grocery shopping! Party over here... party over there...
Comment by Raine on 08/04/2010 19:07:40
Raine on 08/04/2010 19:07:40
Oh keerist Randi! Don't sing Happy Birthday to the President!
Don't sing Happy Birthday to the President!
Comment by TriSec on 08/04/2010 20:09:11
TriSec on 08/04/2010 20:09:11
BTW, for the second day in a row, we've had a major infrastructure failure here.
Route I-93 north of the city is virtually shut down at a major intersection (Exit 33/Roosevelt circle) in Medford. The overpass just before the exit is in sorry shape and has a 3-lane wide sinkhole open clear through to the rebar. The same bridge had a similar sinkhole open up on it yesterday that took 6 hours to fix. Today's has been going on since the morning commute.
Where's that WPA to fix the infrastructure when we need it?
Route I-93 north of the city is virtually shut down at a major intersection (Exit 33/Roosevelt circle) in Medford. The overpass just before the exit is in sorry shape and has a 3-lane wide sinkhole open clear through to the rebar. The same bridge had a similar sinkhole open up on it yesterday that took 6 hours to fix. Today's has been going on since the morning commute.
Where's that WPA to fix the infrastructure when we need it?
Comment by livingonli on 08/04/2010 20:22:42
livingonli on 08/04/2010 20:22:42
I did notice that we had a large increase in road construction being done once we had a Democrat back in the Governor's mansion.
Comment by livingonli on 08/04/2010 20:42:24
livingonli on 08/04/2010 20:42:24
There is word going around that Prop 8 has been struck down although the decision has not been released yet.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 08/05/2010 00:20:24
Lookie what I found on the way home..
Scoopster on 08/05/2010 00:20:24
Quote by livingonli:
There is word going around that Prop 8 has been struck down although the decision has not been released yet.
Lookie what I found on the way home..
Comment by livingonli on 08/05/2010 00:56:27
livingonli on 08/05/2010 00:56:27
George Takei is going to be on Momma to talk about the ruling.
Oh, my indeed.
Oh, my indeed.