September 2009
The Democratic National Committee has released a new TV ad about health care legislation, this time on the Senate Finance Committee proposal. In the ad, the DNC takes on Republicans for "trying to scare seniors about health reform," saying that news outlets had called their claims "dishonest" and "scare-mongering." The ad’s citations for both quotes check out – the first is from an editorial in the Palm Beach Post, the second from an editorial... Click to read more
Seventy-one percent of U.S. oil consumption is for transportation. Source: Energy Information Administration Read More →
This week, readers sent us comments on COLA, Michael Moore and how much they like FactCheck. In the FactCheck Mailbag we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length. Click to read more Read More →
There are 42 gallons of oil in a barrel. Source: Energy Information Administration Read More →
Summary The Republican National Committee claims in a new Web ad that Democratic health care plans propose taxes on "charities and small businesses. A doctor’s tax. Taxes on your health insurance. Even a tax on medical supplies." It’s perfectly true, as the ad says, that "hundreds of billions" in taxes are being proposed – spread over 10 years. But the ad exaggerates and misleads in a number of ways: It makes a downright false claim that ordinary wheelchairs... Click to read more
Q: Did the Obama administration target Chrysler dealerships for closure according to their political contributions? A: The best evidence shows that dealerships with Republican donors weren’t disproportionately targeted – auto dealers overall tend to lean overwhelmingly Republican. Click to read more Read More →
In 2007, there were 42,495 new cases of HIV/AIDS in adults and adolescents diagnosed in the U.S., with 74 percent of those for males. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read More →
There are 2,139 bridges in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Source: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Read More →
In 1890, the United States Board on Geographic Names declared that all city names ending in "burgh" should drop the final "h." But in 1911, after protests from citizens, the board said Pittsburgh, Pa., could keep the extra letter. Source: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Read More →
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Campaign for Responsible Health Reform has released a new ad that says politicians in Congress "want new taxes on health care companies, taxes that will get passed on to you." The TV ad, which began airing Sept. 18 in 13 states, refers to the new Senate Finance Committee bill (aka Sen. Max Baucus’ bill), which proposes a tax on the most expensive health care plans, the type that gave rise to the term "Cadillac plan" during the presidential... Click to read more
