Isn't it time for a reality check? Challenging Factcheck.org and the TPC ...

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Hello All, Yes, I suspect that it's long passed time for a healthy dose of reality. Have you ever sought truth and accuracy from Factcheck.org? Or, gave you ever seen a reference to the Tax Policy Center's analysis of the two Presidential candidates tax policy comparisons? Well I have, and I'm about fed up to my eyeballs with these two sources being thrown around as gospel. Let's do a little digging, shall we? First, the Tax Policy Center (TPC) lists all manner of disclosures on its website indicating that they must not be held accountable for the accuracy of the information that they are presenting to the public. What's worse is that the TCP and Factcheck.org are using a "preliminary" analysis of each candidates tax policies and the "assumed" net effect, as researched and compiled by the authors of the study for the Urban Institute. What I find initially interesting is that this particular study is umbrella'd under the Urban Institute and NOT the "Urban Institute and Brookings Institute", which is typically how studies are packaged from this source. The question begs to be asked: Why did the Brookings Institute refrain from associating itself with this study? Hmmm ... What's more: The Urban Institute provides disclaimers on the report which indicate that they must not be held accountable for the accuracy of the content of the study. Instead, the Urban Institute passes the buck of accountability to the authors of the study. OK, if the Urban Institute, TCP and Factcheck.org don't want to be held accountable for a little thing like accuracy and truth, then perhaps they should all refrain from disseminating 'other than accurate and truthful' statements and analysis. Hmmm, the last time I checked, something that could not be confirmed as accurate and truthful was at the very least considered dubious -- at worst A LIE or a DECEPTION. Certainly not worthy of blanket respect and consideration. [b]Below are a few quotes from the three 'sources'. After you review the disclaiming quotes would you please consider the following questions: 1. Have you ever sourced any of these organizations? And, were you confident that those organizations had done their own due diligence before disseminating information as allegedly accurate? 2. Henceforth, will your perception of the reputation of these three organizations be altered? If so, how? And, will your altered perception affect your view of all three, or only a portion thereof? 3. What are your thoughts about this issue? Does this constitute deception and/or fraud? Or is this to be expected in the Misinformation in Politics Game? [/b] At the end of the day, I believe that the moral of the story is traceable to the sage advice of my hero Benjamin Franklin. "Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you read." In the spirit of full disclosure, I will not be able to diligently reply to your responses to this post. I apologize in advance that my schedule is really crazy these days. However, I believe that the content of this thread is worthy of presentation, and discussion among yourselves, so as to not allow this misinformation to continue spreading like a virulant disease. Thanks for your understanding! ____________________________________________________________________________________ #1 from Factcheck.org: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_obama.html "Tax Spin ... according to the Tax Policy Center. The TPC also says ... The TPC’s calculations factor in... TPC allocate all corporate tax to owners of capital rather than to consumers...According to a calculation the TPC did at FactCheck's request... ... and finally, "For the record, Obama aides say the indirect effect on holders of capital won't be as large as TPC says. "We dispute TPC's methodology here," says Brian Deese of the Obama campaign." Hmmm, even the candidates question the veracity of the Factcheck.org statements. *** Let us check out Factcheck.org's references, shall we? If one bothers to check the "July 19, 2008 Tax Policy Center Table T08-0182" reference, it is still titled as "preliminary". As is the reference titled " "An Updated Analysis of the 2008 Presidential Candidates' Tax Plans." And, the "An Updated Analysis of the 2008 Presidential Candidates’ Tax Plans: Revised August 15, 2008.” is a TPC page that simply links to the other, earlier pages. While the LA Times reference titled "Adding Up The Cost of Obama's Agenda" links to "page cannot be displayed". Interesting, eh??? OK, let's keep following the Dubious Trail, whall we? #2 Tax Policy Center - Urban Institute & Brookings Institution http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/url.cfm?ID=411749 A. Take a look at the disclosure at the end of this page: http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/numbers/displayatab.cfm?Docid=1975&DocTypeID=7 Among other interesting tidbits, this disclaimer specifies that "Obama plan does not include the payroll surtax." B. And, how about these TPC disclosures: "The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders." "This analysis was prepared by ... the Tax Policy Center and the Urban Institute based on candidates statements, and websites, and our assumptions about essential elements unspecified by the campaigns ... Views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Tax Policy Center, or Urban Institute, or its trustees or its funders." "Information is as reported on candidates' websites and public statements. TPC has not verified claims made." http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/UploadedPDF/411749_updated_candidates.pdf http://www.taxpolicycente... http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/url.cfm?ID=411749 And, here's the mother of all disclaimers: http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/UploadedPDF/411749_updated_candidates.pdf Please see the two paragraph disclosure on page one. Specific mention is made to: "typos, editorial changes... estimates ... campaign aids descriptions, projections, and assumptions about essential details unspecified about the campaigns .... views expressed and estimates should not be attributed to any campaign or to the Urban Institute (again - no mention of Brookings), its trustees, or its funders." Wow! Talk about distancing one's self from conclusions, eh??? And, could someone please explain the mention of "editorial changes" with respect to a research study???