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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

The DNC and Senior Scare

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 in The New York Times.

September 30, 2009

Seventy-one percent of U.S. oil consumption is for transportation.
Source: Energy Information Administration

FactCheck Mailbag, Week of Sept. 22-Sept. 28

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.

September 29, 2009

There are 42 gallons of oil in a barrel.
Source: Energy Information Administration

RNC Tax Attack Goes Too Far

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 …

Playing Favorites With Chrysler Dealers?

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.

September 28, 2009

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

September 27, 2009

There are 2,139 bridges in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Source: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

September 26, 2009

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

Taxing Businesses – and Consumers?

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"