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Presented By: Eleanor Strickland Sue Michalson

Myth Busters

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Page 1: Myth Busters

Presented By: Eleanor Strickland Sue Michalson

Page 2: Myth Busters
Page 3: Myth Busters

MYTH DEMOCRATS ARE

THE PARTY OF “BIG SPENDERS”

Page 4: Myth Busters

INCREASES IN THE NATIONAL DEBT

The RED and BLUE bars tell the story. in the last 35 years, Republicans have run up huge debts while Democrats have held debt steady or reduced it.

FACT

Page 5: Myth Busters

WE CAN CUT THE DEFICIT BY

REDUCING SPENDING FOR SOCIAL

PROGRAMS

MYTH

Page 6: Myth Busters

BUSH’S TAX CUTS ACCOUNT FOR

48% OF THE DEFICIT.FACT

Page 7: Myth Busters

BUSH’S TAX

CUTS

BENEFITED

EVERYONE

MYTH

Page 8: Myth Busters

< 1 % 2.3% 7.5%

THE TAX CUT BENEFITED THE WEALTHY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE POOR

$120.000

$20 $740

FACT

(MORE)

Page 9: Myth Busters

25%

25%

25%

28%

15%

Page 10: Myth Busters

TAX CUTS THE ECONOMY

“The main reason for our growing economy is that we cut taxes and left more money in the

hands of families and workers and small business owners.”  — President Bush, November 4,

2006

BOOSTMYTH

Page 11: Myth Busters

WHAT GROWING ECONOMY?FACT

Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

2001-2007 ECONOMY WAS WEAKER THAN AVERAGEONLY CORPORATE PROFITS GREW RAPIDLY!

Page 12: Myth Busters

MYTH

OBAMA WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES

Page 13: Myth Busters

FACT

Source: NY Daily Times Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Interview

Obama wants to allow the tax cuts on the wealthy to expire. This would only affect people whose annual incomes are greater than $250,000. The rates would return to the 2000 rate of 39% - 40%.

Obama wants to extend the tax cut for the 95%of individuals with annual incomes less than$250,000

(MORE)

OBAMA IS NOT PROPOSING TO “RAISE” TAXES

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EVERYONE PAYS A

“DEATH TAX”

MYTH

Page 16: Myth Busters

There are many legitimate deductions and the wealthy know how to structure their estates to avoid the estate tax!In 2008, the estate tax rate was 45%. However, the averageestate paid only 17%.Surviving spouses are not taxed. Source: irs.gov (MORE)

THE “DEATH TAX” APPLIES ONLY TO THE WEALTHIEST 2%

FACT

Page 17: Myth Busters

ESTATE TAX repealed

BUSH

OBAMA

CLINTON

$675,000

$3,500,000$1,000,000

55%

45% 55%

Page 18: Myth Busters

ENVIRONMENT

Page 19: Myth Busters

GLOBAL WARMING IS A

HOAX…

MYTH

Page 20: Myth Busters

Source: Environmental Defense Fund

Measurements include:

Surface Temperature Atmospheric Temperature Sea Level Ice Cores Tree Rings Coral Reefs

FACTINDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS CONSISTENTLY PAINT A PICTUREOF A RAPIDLY WARMING WORLD

(MORE)

Page 21: Myth Busters

Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

The planet has just come through: the warmest decade the warmest 12 months the warmest 6 months, and the warmest 3 months on recordSeveral nations have already set their all-time temperature records in 2010:

111 degrees – Russia117 degrees - Chad118 degrees – Niger121 degrees – Sudan126 degrees – Saudi Arabia126 degrees – Iraq127 degrees - Kuwait130 degrees - Pakistan

Page 22: Myth Busters

GLOBAL

WARMING IS

NOT CAUSED BY

CO2 EMISSIONS

MYTH

Page 23: Myth Busters

1.THE SUN2.EARTH’S REFLECTIVITY3.GREENHOUSE GAS (primarily

CO2)The changes both in the SUN and the planet’s EARTH’S REFLECTIVITY point to a cooling period … not a warming one.What is left? CO2!

Source: Environmental Defense Fund

FACT THREE FACTORS AFFECT THE EARTH’S TEMPERATURE:

(MORE)

Page 24: Myth Busters

TEMPERATURE

CO2

Source: Environmental Defense Fund

400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

THOUSANDs OF YEARS AGO

For 800,000 years, CO2 has ranged from 180 to 300 ppm and the temperature trend has followed closely behind.Today, CO2 is around 390 ppm and the temperature is rising accordingly.

TEMPERATURE FOLLOWS CO2

Current Temperature is 58.1

Page 25: Myth Busters

GLOBAL WARMING DOESN’T EFFECT

ME!

MYTH

Page 26: Myth Busters

1. Glaciers melt 2. Ocean levels rise 3. Land areas become uninhabitable 4. Large populations have to relocate 5. Territorial wars develop 6. Oceans become more acidic 7. Sea creatures die 8. Weather patterns change (more storms, droughts, fires, floods) 9. Food production is disrupted10. Diseases spread

Source: 350.org

FACT

Page 27: Myth Busters

THE FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS “DEAD IN THE WATER”

MYTH

Page 28: Myth Busters

On August 13, The Florida Energy and ClimateCommission agreed to use $13 million in stimulusfunds to pay for solar electric panels.

The Florida Solar Energy Incentive Program was originally intended to pay up to $20,000 per home. However, the program received nofunds from the legislature after 2008.The backlog is $52.7 million (more than 15,000 households)The $13 million will be paid to those submitting their applicationsbefore June 2009. (MORE)

Source: Florida Energy and Climate Commission

FACT$13 MILLION IS NOW AVAILABLE TO REIMBURSEHOMEOWNERS FOR SOLAR PANELS

Page 29: Myth Busters

The Public Service Commission requires the five investor-owned utilities in Florida to offer renewable solar hot water and photovoltaic programs through the Energy Conservation Cost Recovery Clause.SECO is not investor-owned but Progress Energy is.

… AND JUST ANNOUNCED

Progress Energy will receive more than $1 million per year and will offer its customers:• $550 rebate for a solar hot water heater• $2.00 per watt for a new photo- voltaic system (limit $20,000).

Page 30: Myth Busters

HEALTHCARE

1790PUBLIC

SCHOOLS? SOCIALISM

1808PUBLIC WATER?

SOCIALISM

1842PUBLIC

HIGHWAYS?SOCIALISM

1905PUBLICPARKS?

SOCIALISM

2009PUBLIC

HEALTH? SOCIALISM

Page 31: Myth Busters

UNDER HEALTH CARE REFORM, MEDICAL CARE

WILL BE RATIONED

MYTH

Page 32: Myth Busters

THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ALREADY RATION HEALTH CARE – AND FOR A PROFIT

(MORE)

Consumer protections in the new legislation would prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition or revoking coverage when someone gets really sick.

FACT

Page 33: Myth Busters

Profits for the 10 largest insurance companies increased 250 % from 2000 to 2009, 10 times faster than inflation.

In 2009, the 5 largest health insurance companies took in combined profits of $12.2 billion, up 56 % over 2008.

Source: AOL Daily Finance

Page 34: Myth Busters

UNDER HEALTH CARE REFORM,

MEDICARE BENEFITS WILL BE

CUT

MYTH

Page 35: Myth Busters

CUTS APPLY ONLY TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAMS … CUTS WILL NOT AFFECT 75% OF RECIPIENTSMedicare Advantage is more akin to private insurance because it's administered by a private company, yet subsidized by the government.

That subsidy costs the government an additional 14% per person compared to a person with traditional Medicare.

The Medicare Advantage users will receive the exact same care as those in traditional Medicare. Source: Kaiser Health Service.

FACT

Page 36: Myth Busters

UNDER HEALTH

CARE REFORM, WE

WON’T SEE

CHANGE UNTIL

2014

MYTH

Page 37: Myth Busters

1. Children can remain on their parents’ health plans until the

age of 26.

2. Children can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions.

These are but a few of the changes we'll see before the complete health reform goes into effect in 2014.

Source: New York Times (MORE)

FACT

Page 38: Myth Busters

4. Small businesses can qualify for tax credits to offset the cost of health premiums.5. Insurance companies cannot set lifetime limits on health care coverage or cancel a policy once someone gets sick.

3. Adults denied coverage for pre-existing conditions will have access to high-risk insurance programs provided by the government.

(MORE)Source: New York Times

Page 39: Myth Busters

6. The Medicare doughnut hole gradually phases out:

2010: Persons falling into doughnut hole will receive a $250 rebate2011: Persons falling into doughnut hole will receive a $500 rebate, a 7% reduction on generic drugs and a 50% reduction on brand-name drugs.2013: Drug prices will be reduced

2020: The doughnut hole is GONE!

The doughnut hole occurs whena Medicare Part D patient has spent $2830 a year for prescriptions.Medicare does not cover any otherprescriptions until the total reaches $4550.Source: New York Times

Page 40: Myth Busters

IMMIGRATION

CAN

CAN YOU GET ME SOME

HUDDLED MASSES

YEARNING TO BUST

THEIR BUTTS FOR

$5 AN HOUR?

Page 41: Myth Busters

ILLEGAL

IMMIGRANTS

DON’T PAY TAXESMYTH

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ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COME TO THE

U.S. FOR WELFARE

MYTH

Page 43: Myth Busters

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

ABUSE THE HEALTH

CARE SYSTEM

MYTH

Page 44: Myth Busters

ILLEGAL

IMMIGRANTS

ARE MORE LIKELY

TO COMMIT

CRIMES

MYTH

Page 45: Myth Busters

Employers of undocumented workers deduct all the federal income and other taxes fromall employees -- legal andillegal. 84% pay income tax and 0% file a return

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS PAY THE SAME TAXES AS YOU AND I PAY

Source: National Immigration Forum

FACT

Page 46: Myth Busters

THE U.S. MAKES A PROFIT ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS …

This is because so many illegal immigrants pay taxes, Social Security and Medicare … without being able to retrieve any of that money or benefits.

(MORE)

(average $80,000 in a lifetime)

FACT

Source: National Immigration Forum

Page 47: Myth Busters

Studies show that only 2% of Mexican immigrants have ever used welfare or social security and only 3% have ever used food stamps.Illegal immigrants pay >$50 billion every year in Social Security … none of which they can claim.

U.S. law prohibits those here illegally from obtaining welfare, food stamps or any other type of public assistance.

Source: National Immigration Forum

Page 48: Myth Busters

Source: National Immigration Forum

UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY TAXPAYER- PROVIDED HEALTH CARE EXCEPTEMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT.

FACT

A recent RAND Corp. study states: "The foreign born (especially undocumented) use disproportionately fewer medical services and contribute less to health care costs in relation to their population share."

Page 49: Myth Busters

Numerous reputable studies have shown that regardless of their legal status, immigrants are not the source of substantial crime. Undocumented individuals have a very high incentive not to break the law.

Source: National Immigration Forum, Bureau of Justice Statistics

FACT IN LARGEST IMMIGRANT AREAS, CRIME RATE IS LOWEST IN 4 DECADES

(MORE)

Page 50: Myth Busters
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IMMIGRANTS SHOULD APPLY TO

LEGALLY ENTER THE U.S.

MYTH

Page 52: Myth Busters

"If you are a Mexican wanting to get a legal visa to work in a low-skilled job in the U.S., you would be dead before you get your visa.''

THE DEMAND FOR LOW-SKILLED WORKERS IN THE U.S. LABOR MARKET IS 500,000 A YEAR THE CURRENT U.S. IMMIGRATION QUOTA IS 5,000 FOR THAT CATEGORY

Source: National Immigration Forum

FACT

Page 53: Myth Busters

A FENCE BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MEXICO WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM

MYTH

Page 54: Myth Busters

(The fence we are building now on our Mexican border is only one of two fences in the world separating states: the other one is the Israeli-Palestine wall.)Sources: www.politifact.com, Urban Institute

FACT

(MORE)

First: “For every 15-foot fence there is a 16-footladder or a shovel to dig underneath.”Second: 40% of those undocumentedin the U.S. entered legally and overstayed their visasThird: Only 57% of all illegal immigrants arrive from Mexico.

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“They say they’re building a wall because too many of us enter illegally and won’t learn their language or assimilate into their culture.”

PLYMOUTH ROCK

INDIANS

PILGRAMS

Page 56: Myth Busters

RELIGION

Page 57: Myth Busters

SAME SEX MARRIAGE

Page 58: Myth Busters

MARRIAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN

ABOUTONE MAN AND

ONE WOMAN

MYTH

Page 59: Myth Busters

From the 5th to the 14th centuries, the Roman Catholic Church conducted ceremonies to bless same-sex unions which were almost identical to those for heterosexual unions.  

FACT

Source: The Marriage of Likeness: Same-Sex Unions in Pre-Modern Europe, John Boswell

Through the Ming dynasty in China, both females and males bound themselves in contracts with persons of the same gender.During the Roman Empire, same sex marriages were common … even Emperor Nero himself married a man. 

Page 60: Myth Busters

CIVIL UNIONS AND DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE THE SAME AS MARRIAGE

MYTH

Page 61: Myth Busters

Source: lesbianlife.about.com

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS AND CIVIL UNIONS DO NOT PROVIDE THE BENEFITS AND PROTECTIONS OF MARRIAGE

(MORE)

FACT

THEY:1. Can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees whereas a simple marriage license usually costs less than $100.

2. Can be challenged in court. In the case of wills, legal spouses always have more legal power than any other family member.3. Are not universally recognized. Marriage laws are universal. Physicians, judges, etc. may not recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Page 62: Myth Busters

The Federal Government provides at least 1,049 benefits and protections for married couples not provided to domestic partners or persons in civil unions: survivor benefits through Social Security sick leave to care for ailing partner tax breaks veterans benefits insurance breaks family discounts family insurance through an employer visiting a spouse in the hospital making medical decisions

Source: General Accounting Office

Page 63: Myth Busters

SOCIAL SECURITY

MEDICARE

Page 64: Myth Busters

SOCIAL SECURITY IS GOING BROKE

MYTH

Page 65: Myth Busters

It can pay out all scheduled benefits for the next 25 years with no changes whatsoever. After 2037, it'll still be able to pay out 75% of scheduled benefits --and again, that's withoutany changes. Source: National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

BY 2023, SOCIAL SECURITY WILL HAVE A SURPLUS OFFACT $4.3

TRILLION

Page 66: Myth Busters

SOCIAL SECURITY ADDS TO THE

DEFICIT

MYTH

Page 67: Myth Busters

NOT ONE PENNY OF THE DEFICIT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO

SOCIAL SECURITYBy law, Social Security funds are separate from the budget, and it must pay its own way.

Source: National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

FACT

Page 68: Myth Busters

IOUTHE SOCIAL

SECURITY TRUST FUND HAS BEEN RAIDED AND IS FULL OF “IOU”S

MYTH

Page 69: Myth Busters

President Bush wanted to put Social Security funds in the stock market (which would have been disastrous) but luckily, he failed.

(MORE)Source: National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

THE SOCIAL SECURITY

ISN’T FULL OF IOUs …

IT’S FULL OF U.S.

TREASURY BONDS

FACT

Page 70: Myth Busters

HOWEVER, THOSE TREASURY BONDSARE PART OF THE $10.7 TRILLION DEBT

(MORE)

40%of the U.S. debt is

money borrowed from Social Security … that is our money!

WE OWESocial Security

Page 71: Myth Busters

The newly appointed deficit commission is charged with finding a way to CUT THE DEBT! And guess where the members of that committee plan to go for cuts … SOCIAL SECURITY!

DEFICIT COMMISSION

(MORE)

Co-chair, Alan Simpson, expressed his view ofSocial Security when he sent an e-mail to theNational Older Women's League ExecutiveDirector comparing Social Security to "a milk cow with 310 million tits!"

James Roosevelt, Jr. defended Social Security: “Social Security should be out of the reach of the Budget Deficit Commission because it is not part of the Federal budget. Since Social Security has not contributed in any way to the deficit, it makes no sense to consider it as part of the solution.”

Source: Nationional Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; politify.com

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TEA PARTY

Page 73: Myth Busters

THE TEA PARTY IS A

“GRASSROOTS” ORGANIZATION

MYTH

Page 74: Myth Busters

THE TEA PARTY IS AN

“ASTROTURF” ORGANIZATION

FACT

(MORE)

Page 75: Myth Busters

It was founded and funded primarily by the Koch brothers of Koch Industries … with support from Exxon/Mobile, Massey Energy and others.

(MORE)Source: Alternet.com

The money is funneled through conservative think tanks such as Dick Armey’s Freedom Works and Americans for Prosperity.

THE TEA PARTY IS A PROFESSIONALLY COORDINATED CORPORATE POLITICAL ACTION TOOL.

Page 76: Myth Busters

Koch Industries is a privately-owned $100 billion Conglomerate with business activities in:

• petroleum• chemicals• energy• Asphalt• natural gas• plastics• fibers• minerals• fertilizers• ranching• pulp and paper• finance and commodities trading.

(MORE)Source: Alternet.com

Page 77: Myth Busters

In 2008, the Koch foundations gave money to 34 political and policy organizations, some of which they founded and several they direct:

The founder was active in the Birch Society and both brothers (Charles and David) now managing the business are Libertarians.

They oppose taxes and government regulation. Much less oversight of industry and fewer environmental regulations mean more profits for Koch Industries.

It is not suprising that Koch Industries:• Advocated for the coal, oil and tobacco industries and • Campaigned against climate change and health care reform.

Source: Alternet.com

Page 78: Myth Busters

The Justice Department charged that Koch Industries was responsible for more than 300 oil spills, which released 300 million gallons of oil into lakes and rivers and, later, leveled a 97-count indictment against Koch for covering up the discharge of 91 tons of the carcinogen, benzine.

The University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute named Koch Industries as one of the TOP 10 Air Polluters in the U.S.

A Greenpeace report found that Koch has been a “kingpin of climate science denial,” and “vastly outdid” ExxonMobil in giving money to organizations fighting legislation related to climate change.

A Senate committee minority report found that a trust financed by Charles and David Koch “may have played a decisive role in four ofsix federal races (running attack advertising).”

(MORE)Source: Alternet.com

For more information, see the August 30, 2010 issue of the New Yorker.

Page 79: Myth Busters

The founder of the Center for Public Integrity, Charles Lewis, told the New Yorker:

“The Kochs are on a whole different level. There’s no one else who has spent this much money.

The sheer dimension of it is what sets them apart. They have a pattern of lawbreaking, political manipulation, and obfuscation.

I’ve been in Washington since Watergate, and I’ve never seen anything like it. They are the Standard Oil of our times.”

Source: Alternet.com

Page 80: Myth Busters

TEA PARTY PARTICIPATION IS

SPONTANEOUS

MYTH

Page 81: Myth Busters

FACT THE TEA PARTY IS PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED

In reality, the Tea Party is managed bythe very conservative PR firm,King Media Group, whose slogan is“the art of persuasion … the science of media”.

It is no accident that all the bannersand slogans look alike or that the participants all say the same thing.

A leaked memo from details exactly howMembers should conduct themselves in town hall meetingsand rallies … they are mere puppets of Koch and friends.

Source: Alternet.com

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MYTH WELFARE IS

ONLY FOR THE

POOR

Page 84: Myth Busters

Source: thefreemanonline.org (MORE)

THE WEALTHY ALSO RECEIVE WELFAREWALL STREET: Bailouts

BANKS: Cheap money through TARP to Goldman Sacks, Bank of America, Citigroup and other heavy hitters.AIRLINES: Small Business Administration(SBA) awarded contracts to the 13 largest government contractors rather than to “small” businesses.AGRI-BUSINESS : Agricultural price supports (72%) are distributed to the top farmers, not the family farmer. Congress rejected a cap of $250,000 per recipient.AUTO: Takeover of General MotorsHEALTHCARE: Pharmaceutical companies are subsidized for developing drugs for profit.OIL: Oil companies receive subsidies and tax breaks for drilling.

FACT

Page 85: Myth Busters

“Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it,And eventually they will believe it.” Adolf Hitler

Page 86: Myth Busters

DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR! google.com factcheck.org snopes.com wikipedia.org truthorfiction.com

Page 87: Myth Busters

“A house divided against itself

cannot stand.” Abraham Lincoln