Are 46 Million Americans Living in Poverty?

As part of my series analyzing the article suggesting that Obama has changed the economy for the worse, let’s now move on to the fifth claim: that 46M Americans are living in poverty, First off, what does it mean to be “living in poverty?” According to the Census’s most recent data (2015), to be livingContinue reading “Are 46 Million Americans Living in Poverty?”

Has Obama Accrued More Debt Than All Other Presidents Combined?

As part of my series analyzing the article suggesting that Obama has changed the economy for the worse, let’s now move on to the fourth claim: that Obama has accrued more debt than all other presidents combined. When Obama took office January 20, 2009, the national debt was $10.626T(!). As of September 30, 2016, theContinue reading “Has Obama Accrued More Debt Than All Other Presidents Combined?”

Has the Labor Market Tanked Under Obama?

As part of my series analyzing the article suggesting that Obama has changed the economy for the worse, let’s now move on to the third claim: the labor participation rate is near a 40-year low (with the implication that this is an indicator of an unhealthy labor market). Indeed, according to the Bureau of LaborContinue reading “Has the Labor Market Tanked Under Obama?”

Has Obama Implemented A High Number of Major Regulations?

As part of my series analyzing the article suggesting that Obama has changed the economy for the worse, let’s now move on to the second claim: Obama has implemented 600 major regulations (regulations expected to have an impact of $100M or more), many more than W’s 426, and is on track to implement 641 inContinue reading “Has Obama Implemented A High Number of Major Regulations?”

Is the US Economy Becoming Less Free?

In our evaluation of whether the Obama administration has been terrible for the economy, the first claim we will investigate is that US’s Index of Economic Freedom is ranked #11, its lowest ever, and its 7th decline in 8 years, dropping it into the second tier of world economies. I was unfamiliar with the IndexContinue reading “Is the US Economy Becoming Less Free?”

Has Obama Changed the Economy for the Worse?

A friend of mine posted an article that presents many arguments for the complete failure of the Obama administration’s economy. Some of the claims seemed pretty hyperbolic and much of the “evidence” seemed dubious but I thought they were worth reviewing anyway. Over the next several posts I will investigate the following claims made inContinue reading “Has Obama Changed the Economy for the Worse?”

No Proof That Hillary Clinton Took Bribes as Secretary of State

While I have never intended for this blog to be political in nature, I am still very much interested in critical thinking, challenging unsubstantiated claims, and questioning data that may be misrepresented to manipulate opinion – and these days that pretty much means talking politics! Recently I’ve heard several attacks on Democratic presidential nominee, HillaryContinue reading “No Proof That Hillary Clinton Took Bribes as Secretary of State”

Lies in Politics

Some version or another of this chart has been making the rounds on Facebook: It is a summary from Politifact of the truthfulness of statements made by several prominent US politicians leading into the 2016 presidential election. Each of the politicians has made at least 50 statements rated by Politifact but, to be clear, thisContinue reading “Lies in Politics”