We explore just how “moderate” these reforms are, and what exactly they do to solve the system’s long-term deficit.
Issues: Social Security
False Attacks Over ‘Windfalls’ to Wall Street
We find that brokers netted only 16 cents in fees to manage a $10,000 retirement account under the federal retirement system on which Bush is modeling his private Social Security accounts.
Bush’s State of the Union: Social Security ‘Bankruptcy’?
That term could give the wrong idea. Bush also makes private accounts sound like a sure thing, which they are not.
MoveOn.org Social Security Ad
Liberal group’s ad falsely claims Bush plan would cut benefits 46 percent.
Does Social Security Really Face an $11 Trillion Deficit?
Bush and Cheney say yes. But actuaries say the figure is “likely to mislead” the public on the system’s true financial state.
Social Security Ads: Risk or Protection?
Pro-Bush group’s first TV ad states the problem correctly. But the AARP uses a misleading photo.
The Whoppers of 2004
Bush and Kerry repeat discredited claims in their final flurry of ads. Here’s our pre-election summary of the misinformation we found during the Bush-Kerry presidential campaign.
$8 Million Worth Of Distortions
Two Bush ads full of misleading and false statements ran more than 9,000 times in 45 cities last week.
Kerry Falsely Claims Bush Plans To Cut Social Security Benefits
A Kerry ad claims “Bush has a plan to cut Social Security benefits by 30 to 45 percent.” That’s false. Bush has proposed no such plan, and the proposal Kerry refers to would only slow down the growth of benefits, and only for future retirees.
Misinforming Voters From The Stump
Bush and Kerry both pepper their standard political speeches with misleading claims.