Help with letter from koolaid drinker to my local paper

[erinlough]

I will retype the letter here because the paper did not include it in their online paper. It is long and I don't know where to start although I did look up some of the "facts" mentioned and cannot find the statistics given on the census web page. Thanks in advance for any ideas. I know this woman personally and she has never wanted for anything in her life. She is a big deal in the richest church in town and one that I used to attend. She is very self righteous, as is evident.

HERE IT IS:

"People must not rely so much on government"

Editor,

Fact 1: The poverty rate under the Clinton administration was 13.7 percent - the poverty level under the Bush administration is currently 12.7 percent (figures come from the U.S. Census bureau).

Fact 2: The poverty entitlement budget under the Clinton administration was 186 billion - the poverty entitlement budget under the Bush administration is 386 billion.

Fact 3: The federal government is never considered a first responder in time of an emergency. It is the local, state, then the federal government, in that order. The federal government can not usurp the power from a state. Right or wrong that is the way it is Set up. Can you imagine what would have been said of George W. Bush if he would have declared the state of Louisiana in insurrection (which by law he would have had to do) and then ordered the military in? The media would have had a field day with that.

Fact 4: Although only one in eight Americans is 65 or older, the elderly receive three-fifths of all Federal entitlements. Federal benefits to the elderly have grown dramatically over the past three decades and in per capita dollars now dwarf benefits going to other age groups. Even including non benefit outlays, per capita federal spending on elderly towers 11 to 1 over per capita spending on children.

The facts are always ignored where ideology is concerned. The facts show that the quality of life has improved for the poor under the Bush administration. There is increased home ownership by minorities and money for poverty programs have increased. More importantly than the entitlement dollars increasing, is the utilization and better accountability that come with those dollars under his administration. Faith based support and help has complemented the entitlements to really impact lives to help people get on their feet and not be dependent on the government for handouts.

There are three ways for people to improve their standard of living: education, work, and faith. And the bottom line is, it's not easy. It takes resolve, discipline, strength and courage which will always be tested, and many times will be broken in the process. But it is do-able. Unfortunately, there are those who don't want people to earn it the old fashioned way, they would just rather give money out and keep people dependent. The true hope for the underprivileged is education, hard work, faith and self-reliance. Don't depend on the government to save you, you will always be disappointed.

xxxxxxxx
St. Joseph, MI

[NorCalDem]

1. Fact 1.)

If Bush is giving out $386 Billion, and Clinton gave out $186 Billion (assuming these numbers are factually correct), then why is your argument that government handouts are BAD??

Bush is making them work for their money, by giving more... wtf?

Basically, his whole thesis is full of holes, and I'm sure the facts are wrong too. You shouldn't have too much trouble blasting this freeper apart! Good luck

[liberaliraqvet26]

that stupidity doesn't even deserve an answer

[liberaliraqvet26]

2. that stupidity doesn't even deserve an answer

[erinlough]

5. thanks, I was thinking the same way initially, n/t

[bluestateguy]

3. Poverty rate table

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/hstpov2.html

This guy was playing statistical gymnastics.

[LincolnMcGrath]

4. fact 1 is a lie

It shows midterm #s (fifth yr)
It leaves out that BC was on the way down, and * is on the way up.


Actually, the whole thing is riddled with lies.

[fasttense]

6. It is just one lie and manipulation after another

If repuke didn't have talking points would they be able to talk at all???

I doubt it. But she is quoting O'Lielly's and Limpball's fake numbers.

See you take the poverty rate at the end of Bush Sr.'s term and call it Clinton's. Then you take the end of Clinton's term poverty rate and call it W's and da-da. Despite the fact that W has made more poor people during the last five years (even percentage wise), we can make it look like he actually reduced the number. Every one knows brush loves poor people because he makes so many of them.

She just goes on and on like that. Faking numbers, manipulating them. She got it from hate radio and TV. What can you do??? They can't think for themselves, they are nothing but bushbots.

[erinlough]

7. This is why I love DU

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking. I live in this Republican area and some days I need DU so much.

[0007]

8. Fact one!!!

Fact 1: The poverty rate under the Clinton administration was 13.7 percent - the poverty level under the Bush administration is currently 12.7 percent (figures come from the U.S. Census bureau).

True the proverty rate was 13.7% when Clinton too office. But he got it down to 12.7% when junior took office. And 12.7% certainly isn't current as the statement says.

[merwin]

9. EXACTLY

[Maraya1969]

10. I thought I posted this - Under Clinton poverty rate went DOWN

3.5% and under Bush so far it is UP by 1.4% according to the same fact sheet she used. Also Bush has to spend more money on the poor because there are so many more poor - and also to adjust for the costs of inflation.

If the problem was with the local government why did the FEMA director get fired, (or resign or whatevertherhell)?

And of course Federal Benefits to the elderly are increasing. There are a Hell of a lot more now because of science and the baby boom, (might be wrong about that one). I think the elderly are the fastest growing segment of the county.

And as for this:


"The facts are always ignored where ideology is concerned. The facts show that the quality of life has improved for the poor under the Bush administration. There is increased home ownership by minorities and money for poverty programs have increased. More importantly than the entitlement dollars increasing, is the utilization and better accountability that come with those dollars under his administration."

Also here is a Harvard Study you might want to look at and shove in her face.

http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/publications/homeownership/masnick_w01-4.pdf


Also you can ask her for her sources.

[zbird]

11. Hello erinlough, from your neighbor in Three Oaks.

Which paper (and day) was this in? I must admit to no longer reading the HP because I couldn't stand the idiocy of the majority of the LTTEs (and the editorial staff, for that matter).

I must agree that DU is a necessity for sanity when living in this area!

[erinlough]

12. Saturday, September 17th

While your at it read Rick Ast's piece. The only sanity in the insane HP is Rick Ast. Glad to see another left leaning person in this neck of the woods.

Erinlough:hi: