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Latest from moveon.org: "Your conservative uncle"
my email in-box | 11-23-11 | moveon.org

Posted on 11/23/2011 10:22:44 AM PST by FrdmLvr

Dear MoveOn member,

Americans are talking about the economy—a lot. They're talking about Occupy Wall Street and the Super Committee, about an economy that only works for the 1% and about unemployment.

But thanks to Fox News and Rush Limbaugh, lots of talk about the economy means lots of misinformation about the economy.

So if you're spending this Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family, and want to be ready with the facts to gently correct any myths you hear (they are family and friends, after all), we put together a short guide with five common myths you might hear and easy-to-remember facts to respond to them.

Remember that you're the most important source of information for your family and friends, so check it out and then share it on Facebook or Twitter, or just forward this email. Happy Thanksgiving, and of course, thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Mark, Julia, Elena, and the rest of the team

Top 5 FOX myths to debunk this Thanksgiving

MYTH #1: The congressional Super Committee failed because both sides refuse to compromise.

REALITY: The Super Committee failed because Republicans' number one, non-negotiable priority is to protect millionaires and billionaires from paying even one more penny in taxes.1 Democrats repeatedly offered to make deep spending cuts—far deeper than most progressives would like—in exchange for raising taxes on the wealthy and closing corporate loopholes, only to be refused again and again.2 So even though the vast majority of Americans say they want to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits, and raise taxes on the rich and corporations,3 that won't happen until Republicans put aside their extremist stance.

MYTH #2: Nobody knows what Occupy Wall Street is about.

REALITY: Occupy Wall Street may not have a formal list of demands, but anyone who's been paying attention understands the core problems that occupiers are protesting—that corporations have far too much power in our political system, that Wall Street banks crashed our economy but were never held accountable, and that the richest 400 Americans have more wealth than half of all Americans—156 million people—combined.4

MYTH #3: Occupiers should stop protesting and just get a job.

REALITY: As anybody who's looked for a job in the last few years knows, there just aren't jobs out there. That's a big part of why occupiers are protesting. In September, there were four times as many unemployed people as job openings.5 And for those who are lucky enough to find a job, median wages today are lower than they were a decade ago.6

MYTH #4: Occupy Wall Street is intent on provoking violence, especially against banks and the police.

REALITY: Occupations across the country have committed themselves to nonviolent protest, in the greatest traditions of protest movements. Some of their protests have been met with acts of police violence—tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets7—but in many cases, protesters have reminded police that the police officers are part of the 99%, too.8 And in the few cases when people have shown up at Occupy demonstrations and committed acts of vandalism, other protesters have even repaired their acts of vandalism.9

MYTH #5: The biggest crisis facing our country is out of control government spending.

REALITY: The two biggest drivers of our deficit—by far—are the economic crash and the Bush tax cuts.10 We have millions of people out of work, corporations hoarding cash, and factories sitting idle. If we put all those people back to work—rebuilding infrastructure, educating our children, and researching new technologies—it'll shrink the deficit and make our economy stronger for the long haul. And we can easily afford it if we make sure the rich—who are taking home a larger percentage of income than any time since 191711—pay their fair share.

Sources:

1. "No, 'both sides' aren't equally to blame for supercommittee failure," The Washington Post, November 21, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268071&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=4

2. "Wonkbook: In supercommittee, Dems moved right and Republicans moved righter," The Washington Post, November 22, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268072&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=5

3. "CNN Poll: What The Super Committee Produced Is...Exactly What We Don't Want," Talking Points Memo, November 21, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268073&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=6

"Medicare, Social Security & The Deficit," National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, September 2011 http://www.ncpssm.org/pdf/poll.pdf

4. "Michael Moore says 400 Americans have more wealth than half of all Americans combined," Politifact Wisconsin, March 10, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268074&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=7

5. "Fact: 4 job seekers per opening in U.S.," CNN, September 12, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268075&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=8

6. "Median household income," Wikipedia, Accessed November 22, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268076&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=9

7. "Occupy movement: police reaction in pictures," The Guardian, November 21, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268077&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=10

8. "Occupy Demonstrators Mark Two Months of Protests," NPR, November 17, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268078&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=11

9. "Occupy Oakland protesters assist in cleanup efforts," News 10 ABC, November 3, 2011 http://www.news10.net/news/article/161383/2/Occupy-Oakland-protesters-assist-in-cleanup-efforts-

10. "Economic Downturn and Bush Policies Continue to Drive Large Projected Deficits," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, May 10, 2011 http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3490

11. "Income Inequality Is At An All-Time High: STUDY," The Huffington Post, September 14, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268079&id=33178-10389527-wd5%3DjIx&t=12 Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: foxnews; leftuniverse; moveonorg; prayforthem
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To: FrdmLvr

Thanksgiving is a time for Family and to give Thanks to GOD....Leave the heated Political alone and argue about something important...like FootBall! LOL....HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!


21 posted on 11/23/2011 10:55:48 AM PST by jakerobins
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To: rhombus; Maceman

“I love how they “prove” their facts by citing the Washington Post and other lefty sites.
And their “facts” are opinion columns by lefty writers.”

But liberals are always objective and factual. I know that’s true because that’s what they always tell us. ;)


22 posted on 11/23/2011 10:56:32 AM PST by ReformationFan
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To: FrdmLvr

all those great sources...I’m convinced...switching party today so I can vote for the one who cannot be named.../s


23 posted on 11/23/2011 10:59:21 AM PST by tweakDU
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To: FrdmLvr

we now have the five targets for the stinky hippie aunt.

NO QUARTER

We do not suffer fools gladly.

The libs of the family will not be shown mercy. THEY should back down as 100% responsible for this mess.


24 posted on 11/23/2011 11:00:07 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: ReformationFan
But liberals are always objective and factual. I know that’s true because that’s what they always tell us. ;)

Ain't that the truth, and they believe it too. They create their own reality.

25 posted on 11/23/2011 11:01:16 AM PST by rhombus
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To: FrdmLvr

Myth #6. The stimulus worked and we need more. After the laughing stops, if the LIB who mouthed this is still there, inform him/her that giving the stimulus money (~$850 Billion) to every living America would be $28,000 more in your pocket.


26 posted on 11/23/2011 11:01:55 AM PST by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners)
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To: FrdmLvr

I’d hate to see their “What I Did For Summer Vacation” essays if this is any indication of their writing abilities.


27 posted on 11/23/2011 11:05:20 AM PST by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
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To: roaddog727

facts to gently correct any myths you hear (they are family and friends, after all),

I have never seen a liberal be able to get his point across gently. Their eyes flash then the lock step talking points spew betwen the f word and insults.


28 posted on 11/23/2011 11:10:31 AM PST by Bitsy
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To: Cyber Liberty
I won’t have it ruined by arguments.

I squelched the in-laws last year.

Said that "I was too gracious a host to be impolite and disagree with my guests........" (much agreement and general nods of assent)

".......Particularly when they're so foolishly misinformed over today's current events."

They didn't have a comeback, just gawping silence. I think that they weren't sure if I'd just called them a bunch of ignorant fools, or not. :-) T-Day was blissfully quiet last year. Hoping for a repeat this year.

29 posted on 11/23/2011 11:26:41 AM PST by wbill
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To: FrdmLvr

Lying liars using lying sources.


30 posted on 11/23/2011 11:47:02 AM PST by CSM (Keeper of the "Dave Ramsey Fan" ping list. FReepmail me if you want your beeber stuned.)
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To: FrdmLvr
MYTH #1: The congressional Super Committee failed because both sides refuse to compromise.
The national economy is teetering on the financial cliff. The mean conservatives want to move the bus back from the edge so all four wheels are on solid ground. The radicals want to move all the passengers to the front of the bus. Only the insane would argue that for the sake of "compromise," conservatives should agree to move some of the passengers over the edge. Some compromises are simply not rational.

MYTH #2: Nobody knows what Occupy Wall Street is about.
The mayhem, destruction of the OWS crowd speaks for itself. Comparing them to the Tea Party (no arrests, ever, except for impostors pretending to embrace the Tea Party.) Speaks volumes. Paid demonstrators; participants asked the question mouthed platitudes they were fed with no hint of comprehension.

MYTH #3: Occupiers should stop protesting and just get a job.
Grade for imagination: A; Grade for sanity: F. The job market before Obama got nominated didn't prevent the 50% of the people who neither have a job nor the inclination to ever get one. Low paying jobs were describes as "demeaning." Using the present conditions created by the apprentice president as an excuse is a sick joke.

MYTH #4: Occupy Wall Street is intent on provoking violence, especially against banks and the police.
The hours upon hours of video of their nehavior speaks for itself.

Cost of OWS riots

Cost of Tea Party Rallies : ZERO


MYTH #5: The biggest crisis facing our country is out of control government spending.
Only children and the insane could argue that a spending $2,000,000,000,000 more each year than revenue received, and creating a $16,000,000,000,000 debt, and doubling the federal employees in 3 years has no effect on the economy and everyone.. Spending even more has no effect only in the universe of "wonderland."

31 posted on 11/23/2011 12:03:40 PM PST by Publius6961 (My world was lovely, until it was taken over by parasites.)
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To: tweakDU
all those great sources...I’m convinced...switching party today so I can vote for the one who cannot be named.../s

I registered Democrat for my first election, and haven't voted Dem since.

But I've had tons of fun the subsequent 60 years. Good luck with your plan.

32 posted on 11/23/2011 12:14:33 PM PST by Publius6961 (My world was lovely, until it was taken over by parasites.)
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To: Publius6961
"No American, with an annual income of $250,000 or less, will have to pay 1c more in additional taxes!"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

33 posted on 11/23/2011 12:20:19 PM PST by Publius6961 (My world was lovely, until it was taken over by parasites.)
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To: FrdmLvr

What a bunch of Barbra Streisand!!


34 posted on 11/23/2011 12:24:00 PM PST by harpu ( "...it's better to be hated for who you are than loved for someone you're not!")
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To: rockinqsranch

Yup. With the help of HuffPo, ACORN, OWS, CNN, MSNBC, The Washington Post...etc. If I’m going to look at opinion I can hear it from Rush just as easily as the sources listed by the article. If my kids even tried to pull these “facts” out on me I’d give them a fct smackdown. All the info in the article was point of view and conjecture; especially the stuff about OWS. I would simply tell my kids to find the facts. In truth my kids would never believe that garbage.


35 posted on 11/23/2011 12:25:35 PM PST by Takethathill (Put on the whole Armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18)
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To: Hillarys Gate Cult

All of leftist belief is based on circular reasoning.


36 posted on 11/23/2011 12:30:55 PM PST by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter knows whom he's working for)
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To: MrB
All of leftist belief is based on circular reasoning ignorance.
37 posted on 11/23/2011 1:07:33 PM PST by AmusedBystander (The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next)
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