I just had a talk with two guys at work both

[Leontius]

(thought, heard, saw on CNN or fox) that the national debt when bush left office was $1 trillion and Obama has borrowed the $13 trillion to raise it the current $14 trillion in just 3 years. One listened to what I said but I'm not sure the other said he wasn't going to argue the point because he knew what he knew. How can they understand the problem if they won't even see the real numbers when someone shows them? How did this lie get traction in the first place?

[gateley]

1. This is where a Rachel explanation and chart would help!

But too many of these people refuse to even entertain the facts if they differ from their "knowledge", regardless of how it's presented.

AND, I've become convinced that an underlying racism (even if they don't recognize it in themselves) is the determining factor. The Black Guy Is Wrong.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. I'm sure someone here on DU can provide you with a few well-sourced charts to use.

Sounds like your coworkers could use some visual aids.

[Yavapai]

3. I love the tweet someone shared on TV last night.

The person tweeted that, "S&P has downgraded the tea party to KK+".

[WCGreen]

11. Love that...

Very clever...

[Dawson Leery]

4. The propaganda machine works quite well.

Of course, I know of a few people who deliberately are ignoring the facts as they have a blind hatred of Democrats/Liberals/Obama, etc.

[polichick]

5. Faux News is in the business of perpetuating lies 24/7

[postatomic]

6. Drop a couple of hits of acid in their coffee

Put on a Clown suit and tell them that there is a real cool carnival in the clouds and they need to go to the roof of the building and 'fly' up to it. Say "Free Cotton Candy".

Not sure how 'two guys at work' is translated into "get(ting) traction" but..... whatever. Just go with it. Tell them that Obama needed the 13 trillion to hire people to come in their home and take their Bibles and Guns. :eyes:

[Initech]

7. They need to turn off Fox.

[Loge23]

8. Basic Wiki

Not that reality will change their minds...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_by_U.S._presidential_terms

[geckosfeet]

10. Assuming they any reading comprehension. Superb wiki page though.

[CJCRANE]

9. Looks like the first figure is the annual deficit and the other is over 10 or 12 years. nt

[Lochloosa]

12. Print this chart....in color and show it to them

[roxiejules]

13. Debt or Deficit?

Historical Debt Outstanding - Annual 2000 - 2010 - US Treasury

09/30/2010 13,561,623,030,891.79
09/30/2009 11,909,829,003,511.75
09/30/2008 10,024,724,896,912.49
09/30/2007 9,007,653,372,262.48
09/30/2006 8,506,973,899,215.23
09/30/2005 7,932,709,661,723.50
09/30/2004 7,379,052,696,330.32
09/30/2003 6,783,231,062,743.62
09/30/2002 6,228,235,965,597.16
09/30/2001 5,807,463,412,200.06
09/30/2000 5,674,178,209,886.86






See full chart here: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/09/business/economy/20090610-leonhardt-graphic.html

[butterfly77]

14. K&R...