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PolitiFact Reveals Its 'Lie of the Year'

GOP didn't try to 'end Medicare,' says site; left-leaning bloggers disagree

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2011 3:43 PM CST | Updated Dec 20, 2011 4:50 PM CST

(Newser) – The biggest lie coming out of Washington this year was Democrats' assertion that "Republicans voted to end Medicare," PolitiFact says. Paul Ryan's proposal wouldn't have changed anything for people already 55 and older, and it would only have altered—not ended—Medicare for others, says the non-partisan fact-checking website. It points to "nine separate fact-checks" invalidating the Democrats' claim. Simply replacing "end Medicare" with "privatize Medicare" would have been a big improvement, the site suggests.

But PolitiFact acknowledges that a number of key voices—among them Talking Points Memo, the Daily Kos, and Paul Krugman—disagree. (The Huffington Post's headline was "Politi-Fail.") Indeed, the Washington Monthly calls PolitiFact's analysis "indefensible." "The House Republican budget plan intended to privatize the existing system and replace it with something very different—a voucher scheme," writes Steve Benen. "It would still be called 'Medicare,' but it wouldn’t be Medicare." (Click to read how Ryan has since altered his plan.)

Nancy Pelosi was one of many to utter the Lie of the Year, says Politifact.
Nancy Pelosi was one of many to utter the Lie of the Year, says Politifact.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 102 comments
Buckshot
Dec 21, 2011 7:52 AM CST
Go to Politi-Facts and read the article, it says it doesn't eliminate Medicare it just RADICALLY changes it. It wasn't the highest rated lie by viewers.
hopeandchange
Dec 21, 2011 6:04 AM CST
So the lie of the year was by the Democrats??  Very gratifying it was recognized but not surprising.  Look at my avatar.  That is the face of "not surprised". I saw first hand for decades the Democrats lying but they controlled all the media. The INTERNET and cable TV has ended those heady days and the Democrats really don't know how to deal with being called out.
HappyHabenero
Dec 21, 2011 2:40 AM CST
although politicians usually make bullshit statements all the time.....the fact that peloosi made the list is no surprise..... 

 
health care • Medicare • Paul Ryan • Politifact

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