Article • Dean Baker’s Beat the Press
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A NYT article on the Republicans’ latest plans in upcoming budget debates told readers:
“Republicans have made clear that they are willing to let the government shut down at that time to force deep spending cuts or changes to Medicare and Social Security that would bring down deficits in the long run.”
The Republicans are interested in cutting these programs, that is how their plans would bring down deficits. While a “cut” can be termed a change, in the same way that a punch to a person’s head can be described as a “change” in their circumstances, this is not the way such actions would typically be described.
It is understandable that the Republicans would prefer to use euphemisms to describe their plans for these very popular programs. However newspapers are supposed to try to convey information to readers. It is not their job to try to advance the agenda of a political party.