AP Fact Check on Santorum re government revenue

[DebJ]

FACT CHECK: Republican debate strains some facts
By CALVIN WOODWARD Associated Press
Updated: 08/11/2011 11:01:05 PM EDT

as found here:
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/penn/ci_18665191

RICK SANTORUM: "The problem is that we have spending that has exploded. The government's averaged 18 percent of GDP as the percentage of the overall economy. ... And we're now at almost 25 percent. Revenues are down about 2 or 3 percent. So if you look at where the problem is, the problem is in spending, not taxes."

THE FACTS: The former Pennsylvania senator might have been mixing statistics on federal spending with federal revenue. The White House budget office has estimated that federal spending this year will equal about 25 percent of the country's $15 trillion economy—the highest proportion since World War II. But federal spending has averaged nearly 22 percent since 1970. In fact, federal spending has not been as low as 18 percent since 1966. Since the 1970s, federal revenues have averaged nearly 19 percent of the U.S. economy. This year's revenues are expected to equal just over 14 percent of the economy, the lowest level since 1950.

[one_voice]

1. I have a feeling that the fact checking...

is gonna be even funnier than the debate.

[Suich]

2. I don't get it...

does Santorum know he's lying, or is that what he really believes?

The "debate" is being re-broadcast now and this is about the 4th time I've tried to watch it. Sometimes they call each other out but a lot of "mis-statements" are going unchallenged.

:crazy: