Fact Sheets & Briefs

Conventional wisdom holds that America has to get the federal budget deficit under control. Conservatives and even some good-government moderates have called for a virtually government-wide spending freeze. But cutting federal spending during a recession is a recipe for depression. To climb out of the hole that conservative economic ideology and policy has thrown us into, we need federal spending to reinvigorate economic growth. We should use this moment to make investments that will improve our future. Here's why. more »

When talking about taxes, conservatives continue to characterize opponents of their tax policies as “socialists” who want to take money from the middle-class and give it away to the poor. Here are some facts you should know about the impact of tax policies enacted by the Bush administration and the realities behind conservative arguments about taxation. more »

On October 28, 1980, Ronald Reagan framed an election with the question: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” That’s still an important question. After eight years of conservative rule, are we better off? No. The conservatives’ failure is complete. Here are some indicators. more »

"Even the rope we're using to hang ourselves is made in China," says one of the ads in our series calling for "a debate worthy of a great nation in crisis." Here are some facts and perspectives that need to be considered in the debate over trade and globalization. more »

Conservative commentators in the Wall Street Journal and the National Review, and on YouTube are spreading the myth that the Community Reinvestment Act, a law designed to eliminate discriminatory banking practices, caused the current financial crisis. In the words of Fox News' Neil Cavuto, “Loaning to minorities and risky folks is a disaster.”

Conservatives have twisted the facts to substantiate their revisionist history. But don’t be fooled: the financial crisis was caused by conservative financial follies and bankers run amok and nothing more. more »

Financial institutions went on a binge; the cops on the street turned a blind eye. The bankers pocketed billions until the housing bubble burst. Americans are now paying dearly for the folly. Here are some facts you need to know and some ideas for change. more »

President Bush’s fiscal 2009 budget would provide more tax cuts heavily skewed to the most well-off while cutting vital services for low- and moderate-income Americans, generating large deficits, and increasing the strain on states already confronting budget problems as a result of the economic downturn. The budget reflects misguided priorities that would leave the American people more vulnerable in a number of ways. more »