If they were misleading what do you think their agenda was/is? These are after all, highly trained broadcast journalist, I assume.

That's a stupid question. What's your agenda for being a conservative Ron?

It's not a stupid question and I did not state that it was a democratic agenda. I didn't even get to hear the broadcast at all and you gave a one sentence expose of the piece and then started talking about the Cato institute. I was just wondering why you thought they were misleading. Why do you feel so threatened by a simple question? My god man, lighten up.

My agenda is trying to figure out what the hell you were trying to enlighten us with. Focus. It helps.

Try to keep up. WVLT quoted statistics from a biased source, Cato. Deliberate by WVLT or not, agenda of WVLT or not, the numbers were misleading and sourced from a group which is clearly biased and has an agenda.

It's a stupid question because the "they" in your question is clearly WVLT and not Cato. I'm not going to speculate on the reporter's motivations. Whatever they are, the source for their numbers wasn't accurate and the result was a misleading report.

Paul, what is the unbiased source you use for the statistics you cite? Can you please tell me what source is accurate?

First you say: "They [WVLT] led the story by saying, 'most people think that the majority of their tax dollars go to the military'"

Then you say: "Cato, a libertarian think-tank, lists Social Security and Medicare as the two biggest federal expenditures, which they are."

So you validated and agreed with the statement that WVLT made. WVLT, as you state, did not make any qualification about whether the source of the taxes are specifically from income taxes, payroll taxes, sales taxes, tariffs, excises taxes, etc.

In short, WVLT stated that Social Security and Medicare where the two largest expenditures for our tax dollars, and you agreed with them. So where is the misrepresentation?

I was paraphrasing WVLT because I didn't tape the segment and there isn't a link to the story on their site. They specifically said "income taxes" and the report was on the 11pm newscast on April 15 (tax day). The entire segment was about where your INCOME tax dollars go.

Social Security and Medicare aren't income taxes, they're payroll taxes. That's why the story was misleading.

Paul, what is the unbiased source you use for the statistics you cite? Can you please tell me what source is accurate?

How do the numbers from your unbiased source differ than those from Cato?

Can you please direct me to a source that explains how only INCOME taxes (not tariffs or excise taxes) are spent?

I'll help you, Margaret. It's really easy. Copy/paste this: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+income+taxes+are+spent&btnG=Google+Search

Silly Cato and WVLT, thinking they can still pull this stuff in the age of Google!

At least Dubya knows to "disappear" reports that are unfavorable to him. Catch the latest on that one to practice you own google-fu.

Cut the crap with your framed language. Unbiased statistics? These are hard numbers in the federal budget. The only way to bias them is to try to confuse people by talking about "income tax dollars" while showing statistics for "taxes".

I'm going to post about this in a separate entry.

Hey don't bother. We'll just take your word on the unsubstantiated news cast. We believe you. But it would be nice if you could get the transcript or get WLVT to hang a copy on the web. A transcript doesn't inflect intent. If you wish, I can try and get you a little notice here and send the station a request for access because you have made claims we would like to verify. Maybe we can get the person who gave the beat report to logon and fill us in. Can you give me the name of the reporter or something to go on? This could be good for you as you are an aspiring politician. Nothing better than controversy for a politician. And access to a reporter.

Don't pretend like you really know me or even think I'm lying Ron. If you want to run this one down, feel free.

Lighten up Paul. I'm just giving you a hard time. Haven't you figured that out yet? I like you just fine and you know it. I do enjoy watching you get all stressed out over politics.

If you feel that WVLT was in error then you should contact them and ask them to correct their story with the appropriate and non-misleading facts. All responsible news outlets publish corrections. I bet they would welcome this.

Paul, you stated that "WVLT quoted statistics from a biased source, Cato." What is wrong with the numbers cited by Cato?

FYI... see my response in the other thread.

Yes, I saw that Paul stated in another thread that Cato's numbers are correct.

Paul, are you going to follow up with WVLT and let them know that they were in error regarding the improper distinction between income taxes and payroll taxes? I am sure that the tax paying public would highly value understanding the difference.

I think I just might. Good suggestion.

Let me help you follow up with WVLT. You can send them an email telling them of their goof by going to http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=655949&nav=7CPZ7Ck6.

From there you can email the Volunteer News Team at the following email addresses: steven.crabtree@wvlt-tv.com, wvlt.news@wvlt-tv.com, brian.gregory@wvlt-tv.com

Will you please post the message you send to them on this blog?

Thanks for the link. See my latest post.

Hoorah!

Let us know if they take action!