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.
Stories by Brooks Jackson
Director Emeritus, FactCheck.org
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.
NRA Ad Falsely Accuses Kerry
It says he’s sponsoring a proposal to ban “every pump shotgun” and voted “to ban deer-hunting ammunition.” Don’t believe either claim.
Kerry and Bush Mislead Voters With Promises of Energy Independence
Summary
Both John Kerry and President Bush have promised voters that they will make America “energy independent.” But experts say both sides fall far short of what is necessary for energy independence in the next few decades.
Kerry focuses on conservation efforts, but most agree his plan is little more than an outline. Bush supports expanded drilling in Alaska to increase domestic oil supply, but the US has only about 3 percent of the world’s oil reserves.
Media Fund Twists the Truth More Than Michael Moore
Radio ad claims most air traffic was grounded when bin Laden’s family was allowed to leave. Not true. In fact, the FBI questioned 22 of them and found no links to terrorism.
Would Kerry Throw Us To The Wolves?
A misleading Bush ad criticizes Kerry for proposing to cut intelligence spending — a decade ago, by 4%, when some Republicans also proposed cuts.