Beware of Factcheck.org

[brentspeak]

This site promotes itself as some sort of unbiased factchecking site. And while it doesn't exactly favor one party over the other, it does, in fact, almost always uses its allegedly "neutral" reputation to push for corporate Beltway/Wall Street economic policies promoted by the DC elite. Witness the latest:

http://www.factcheck.org/2014/10/ernst-and-privatizing-social-security/

Ernst and ‘Privatizing’ Social Security

Posted on October 7, 2014

Democratic TV ads in Iowa have repeatedly misrepresented Republican Joni Ernst’s position on Social Security, claiming she “would privatize Social Security” or that she has “proposed privatizing Social Security.” But Ernst hasn’t proposed or endorsed any plan to change Social Security.

At most, Ernst has said that she would consider allowing “younger workers,” or those “just entering the workforce,” to put some portion of their Social Security payroll taxes into interest-bearing or stock market-based “personal savings accounts” for their retirement. And, despite ad images that suggest otherwise, Ernst opposes any changes in Social Security for current seniors or workers nearing retirement age.

Ernst is facing Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley in a tight race to fill the seat of retiring Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin. Back when she was competing for the GOP nomination, Ernst let it be known that she would at least be willing to “look” at changing the way Social Security works for “younger workers.”

During an Iowa Press primary debate in April, Ernst said: “I think we have to keep the promises that have been made to our seniors but we do have to change the way we do business with our younger workers or those that are just entering the workforce. And I agree, we do have to look at some sort of a personal savings account.”

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee aired a TV ad in August called “Team,” saying that Ernst “would privatize Social Security.” But that goes too far.

Ernst hasn’t advocated for a completely privatized program, and she certainly hasn’t talked about making changes for seniors currently collecting benefits or those nearing retirement, such as the white-haired man featured in the DSCC’s ad.

Ernst has only talked about allowing private accounts for younger Americans as just one possible way to make sure that the Social Security program is around for future generations.

So, in other words, the Democratic ads attacking Ernst on this are completely accurate; Ernst really is proposing to privatize Social Security. There's no ambiguity about Ernst's position here: by her own words, she wants to begin the process of privatizing Social Security by moving younger worker's FICA taxes into Wall Street-managed "personal savings accounts". Factcheck's weird argument that "well, Ernst hasn't proposed to completely privatize Social Security" is what's known as "weasel words". When today's retirees are gone, tomorrow's retirees will be stuck with "personal savings accounts" -- a privatized Social Security system.

Factcheck.org has misused its platform before to support the cutting of Social Security and Medicare while simultaneously attacking unions in general. Do not trust these people.

[grahamhgreen]

1. Sounds like it's time to dismiss fact check is another RW media source. Who owns it?

[rurallib]

2. Annenburg Public Policy Center of the U of Pennsylvania

I was curious because I have heard that name so many times. I knew Walter Annenburg was in publishing. His big score was TV Guide in the early days.
Here is the Wikipedia link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Annenberg
Looks like at the bottom he is a Republican.

[rurallib]

3. Was just having a discussion with some friends about that over email

That particular chunk of factcheck was regurgitated on the Des Moines Register by one of their reporters Jennifer Jacobs.
Ms. Jacobs is most famous for one report on a Republican caucus where she continually referred to the Republicans as "our party."

In the emails several of us noted that factcheck has a checkered history on facts with a real bend toward the right. So we pretty much dismiss anything they say.

However with a name like "factcheck" they sound pretty reliable.

[Nye Bevan]

4. To be fair, it's kind of dishonest putting up an image of a white-haired old man

with the words "PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY" when Ernst is proposing no changes at all for people of that age.

[brentspeak]

5. Yeah, because young people will never become white-haired old people

and be laid waste by empty personal savings accounts later on. Maybe the Democratic ad should have instead shown images of some elementary-school kids poring over their Social Security checks instead of old people poring over their Social Security checks, seeing that the ad was discussing Social Security. What do you think -- more fair?

Not surprising to see you defend Ernst on this.

[stillwaiting]

6. Not even a little surprising. nt