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Since we are now in an election season and the astroturfers are out in force, repeating old, debunked internet lies, I'm starting this thread as a repository reference for all these falsehoods:
Again, debunked. No, SS recipients will not be charged 1% on their benefits.
Quote:
And, of course, then there's the lie about the ACA which will have such a dire affect on seniors, the most egregious of which is people on Medicare will be subject to a penalty/fine.
Truth: Medicare Part A qualifies as insurance under ACA. You don't even need Part B.
I'll further update this thread, as the election season heats up.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 07-22-2012 at 02:00 PM..
Stuff goes around. Statements and "info? that are possibly true, possibly false, are all over the Net, all over the print media, and on the streets and in online forums.
One of the reasons to post inherited information is to get to the bottom of the truth. That is how we can help each other.
It's good to point out the debunked (myths, not debunked threads) but if we can do it without a hint that some of us are posting information (and questioning it) are dummies because the information is incorrect, that would be nice.
It's good to point out the debunked (myths, not debunked threads) but if we can do it without a hint that some of us are posting information (and questioning it) are dummies because the information is incorrect, that would be nice.
Agreed about being nice to each other... although I certainly hope anyone who is passing along misinformation as a method to question it is being crystal clear that they are questioning it. Otherwise they're just passing along misinformation.
Also on the subject of being nice, sometimes people do post things without knowing they're passing along a myth, and I'm glad we're the people to set them straight rather than them having to find out the hard way out in the real world. Might as well be nice to those people, too--they mean well.
I have to admit threads like this make me nervous. I can see the idea behind it; clearing up misinformation is a good thing. Yet.... boy oh boy it seems like something that could deteriorate into a big political fight. I sure hope we can avoid that, because that would attract a lot of nasty game-playing people to our site. Once you do that, it's very hard to get back to being the helpful friendly forum that we all love so much. I really, really, really wish we would leave all the election and political talk in the POC forum, at least until after the first week in November.
Agreed about being nice to each other... although I certainly hope anyone who is passing along misinformation as a method to question it is being crystal clear that they are questioning it. Otherwise they're just passing along misinformation.
Also on the subject of being nice, sometimes people do post things without knowing they're passing along a myth, and I'm glad we're the people to set them straight rather than them having to find out the hard way out in the real world. Might as well be nice to those people, too--they mean well.
I have to admit threads like this make me nervous. I can see the idea behind it, but boy oh boy it seems like something that could deteriorate into a big political fight. I sure hope we can avoid that, because that would attract a lot of nasty game-playing people to our site. Once you do that, it's very hard to get back to being the helpful friendly forum that we all love so much.
Your second paragraph is a good follow-up to your first. I seriously doubt anyone is intentionally posting bad or incorrect information. It's not like some bandit is breaking into the forum and throwing lies as a pasttime.
As for the second part of your second paragraph, I also say beware. "We" are not the ones necessarily expertise enough on any legal or political subject to set ourselves straight, let alone "everyone else."
If the lawyers and scientists and other real experts on this forum want to and can post links to legitimate researched articles published in trusted sources, that's what I would look for—not the opinion of anyone who has merely read or dabbled in something. The problem is, what are those legitimate sources? Every source has its political agenda and slant, which come out big time nearing elections.
I don't think any of the posts I have read with misinformation have been intentionally put out there to mislead anyone. Instead of rebuke, perhaps reminders of how to go about evaluating information that could well be false, could well be true, or could well fall somewhere in between.
It's not like some bandit is breaking into the forum and throwing lies as a pasttime.
Sadly, I've seen plenty of people do that on forums. Especially forums for seniors, who are often seen as gullible patsies. And especially when political subjects come up. Many people do it to push their political agenda, others just think it's a hilarious thing to do.
I was tempted to let him know that it's not true but since he said it would keep him for voting for Obama, I figured it was all good
That's the trouble, people don't often bother to read anything on a thread. It's these types that are susceptible to the repetition of falsehood.
On a really long thread I'll read at least the last ten pages before I post. By the time I've finished reading, I usually discover my post is redundant and there is no need to bore others with repetitive nonsense.
Sadly, I've seen plenty of people do that on forums. Especially forums for seniors, who are often seen as gullible patsies. And especially when political subjects come up. Many people do it to push their political agenda, others just think it's a hilarious thing to do.
I'd like to see some specific examples, perhaps you can DM me?
P&C is rife with astroturfers who are paid to perpetuate the lies all day long. 8 hours a day, or more.
The fact that people don't know these things occur everywhere everyday is really frightening.
I know what you are saying, but it doesn't happen on both sides of the aisle (forum)????
Lies, exaggerations, distortions....both sides. After all, gotta win.
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