The percentage that doesn't ad up- Broder's column today

[MrTriumph]

I saw this same mistake not long ago in an article and wrote my newspaper's ombudsman to ask he make a correction. Instead he said he'd notify AP, which only goes to show you if you don't make corrections someone else will pick up an error and use it as fact.

Not that David Vroder reads my local booster paper, but I suspect he saw this error in print and proceeded to view it as fact because the same foolish mistake is used in his column, "One man going beyond the hue and cry".

In his sixth paragraph he states "...diverting 4 percent of the current 12.4 percent Social Security tax...." Think about it. You needn't be a math genius to see the problem. The figure should be almost 33%, not 4 percent.

If you don't believe me, read his ninth paragraph that says. "...receive a credit of 4 percent of his or her wages....". He's talking about the same money. Is it 4% of 12.4% or 4% of 100% (total wages). He can't have it both ways.

[jean]

1. we need the link

[annabanana]

2. brain dead, the lot of them...eom

[acmejack]

3. Why sure he can

Classic * math. I had the chance to throttle not only Rove but Karen Hughes as well on a public street here in Austin yesterday. I had to check with a fellow pedestrian to ensure my eyes were not deceiving me! Alas, I was in a nonviolent mood (going to protest). In retrospect, I regret missing the opportunity!

[KlatooBNikto]

4. You can add mathematical innumeracy to the historic and literary

illiteracy of our bloviating class.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. kick